aschie30

aussiedreamer- please dismiss the typical and predictable ny-centric tone of some of the posters. NYer's seems to get themselves twisted up whenever they hear someone choose Chicago over NY.

Chicago is an amazing city. The last few winters have been relatively mild and snow-free. Do not fret. In the event that it snows, O'Hare is one of the best places to be as they are very experienced in getting snow removed ASAP. In fact, legend has it that a mayoral race was lost because of poor snow removal. Now, if there is so much as a flurry, snow plows stand by, ready for any accumulation.

You will love Chicago, even in the dead of winter. The magnificent mile is wonderful, and if you get a little chilly, there are so many places to duck into to warm up.

I have to travel to Dallas a lot for business, but I'm sorry, it doesn't hold a candle even with their more temperate winters.

TarheelsInNj

St. Patrick's is a church, yes- a very beautiful cathedral and one of the most famous landmarks in the city. It's really beautiful at Christmastime, along with the rest of 5th Avenue (the decorations at Saks are lovely!)

If you're looking for a nice (though cold!) walk, I would recommend a trip up 5th- you'll pass many of the famous stores, including Tiffany, Cartier and Saks. You'll also pass Rockefeller Center and the tree (a must at Christmas, even with crowds!) and St. Patricks. A few blocks more and you'll be at Central Park, which is also worth a walking tour at Christmas!

I'm sure you've heard this already, but do be prepared for a LOT of crowds in NYC at that time! It's one of the busiest times of year here. But if you can get through it, it's worth every minute

As far as theatre tickets, it is unlikely any discount codes will be available. Every show has a different holiday week schedule, so make sure you check that out first before you have your heart set on something. The NY Times has a Theater Directory listing that will include the special schedules.

Enjoy

aschie30

aussiedreamer- are you referring to St. Patrick's in Chicago or NYC? (Can't tell from your post.)

aussiedreamer

Yes, I am still checking this thread. St Patricks in NYC is the one I was referring to.
All plans seem to be 'locked' in... at last. But I have had a ball. We leave in 5 weeks (but whos counting??)

Leave Aus for LA (one night). On to NYC for one week. Xmas lunch booked at the Waldorf, RCMH xmas show booked for Xmas eve. Going to take my chances with what play if any to see. Wouldn't mind Color Purple...not much hope, I guess.
Off to Orlando for 10 days. 5 day disney, trip to Kennedy Space centre. Still not sure what to do new years eve?
Chicago for 4 days.......over a weekend. not sure if that will make it a bit harder.
London for 1 week. Meeting a friend from Aus. who is working on Wembley Stadium. Tour the Stadium, booked Ceremony of the Keys and hope to see WWRU.
Eurostar to Paris (1st class...yipee) Lots of great advice re; museum visits etc.
Paris to Rome, meeting a gentleman we met on a weekend in Melbourne, who is taking us to dinner and to Pompeii! Can't wait.
Home via one night Singapore.....
phew. thats it.

Amanda

Hi Aussiedreamer. We are leaving Bribane on Friday for a week in New York and a week in Chicago. Couldn't you get the direct Qantas Bris - LA flights (3 times a week)? Much better than Sydney or Auckland and then o/n in LA. we are going on direct to NY but only a 1 hour 50 minute connection in LA!! I'm a bit worried by that but Qantas "guarantee" it - I think we have to have a fingerprint and iris photo taken as well! Apparently, as foreigners, our luggage will be unpacked and searched on occasion, and an extremely thorough and personal metal detection process gone through! Be prepared mentally!

Look at broadwaybox.com closer to the time to go because there are plenty of tickets left there at discount. You don't want to waste time standing in line! Also book big apple greeter tours early. Try http://www.mas.org/Events/tours.cfm for walks/tours with an architect etc.
And of course Chicago has lots of theatre as well!

Will post after 4th Dec to let you know about security etc. Have a great trip!

aussiedreamer

Hi Amanda. Woh, bon voyage if I don't check back in. We are also departing Brisbane. We are flying round the world with Star Alliance. So the Qantas direct was not an option. Have you done the Aus - Lax before? Prepare yourself! We were like wired zombies last time. So having a night at an LAX hotel is not a problem for us.

I would love to hear from you on your return. [email protected]
ps. Did you catch a glimpse of the new Airbus yesterday? We missed out, slept in!!
Happy and safe travels.

exiledprincess

AussieD, from Chicago here. Well, I guess we're still the "second city" (sob!) - a week in NYC but only 4 days here. Well, you'll just be here long enough for a taste and then will have to return to enjoy the city more fully! They don't sing "Sweet Home, Chicago" for no reason.

As other posters have mentioned, the past several years have been pretty mild just after the New Years and hoping that the streak will continue for you. The really brutal weather doesn't usually set in until the 3rd week of Jan until mid-Feb.

Some things you might consider: Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink at Millennium Park. (Go in the evening or night-if it's not too cold-to see the skyline lit up).

Take in some Chicago blues or jazz somewhere. And it doesn't have to be at night. Andy's has lunchtime jazz (no cover). So you could do some shopping, head over for jazz and continue on your exploring.

Check the City of Chicago website. You know after the holidays, things quiet down somewhat but the city usually promotes winter weekend special offerings (Jazz weekend, Blues weekend, Performing Arts). Gotta keep the people busy and outta trouble, I guess!

The museums are world-class: go to the Art Institute, Field Museum (see Sue and the current exhibit on Pompeii), at the very least.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has many walking tours and the bus tour, Chicago Highlights by Bus, might be something which would interest you. Check out their website for the available offerings when you are here.

Theatre: Wicked is the hot ticket, however, you really would need to check out Metromix and the Chicago Reader online for seeing all the shows available - also great for checking out restaurants, concerts, etc.

Have fun in whatever you choose!

aussiedreamer

Thankyou, exiledprincess! Very helpful. I really can't wait to be 'cold'. Awsome tips, thanks. Did I mention that we are going to 'Pompeii' on this trip?
32 more sleeps!!!

exiledprincess

AussieD, you did mention Pompeii and I didn't see it! Guess I was reading too fast. My apologies.

Even if you didn't go to the exhibit, I still recommend the Field Museum. However, check out the information for the museum's Pompeii exhibit online. You might still want to go to it as a precourser for the actual site. The exhibit has many personal articles of the victims, casts of the victims, as well as the Field's own collection. There is also a very interesting short movie in the exhibit about Pompeii and Herculaneum.