showing Texas family around Chicago
 

My mother and her three grandchildren (2 girls, 11 and 14, one boy 17) from Houston are coming to visit the week of July 4, and I've been busy planning how to show them around Chicago. But I haven't lived up here long (I'm in a northern suburb) and don't know the city very well, so I could use some advice. <BR> <BR> Do you think Navy Pier is going to be too kiddie-oriented for the two teenagers, or will they enjoy it? <BR> <BR> Which is the best view: Sears Tower or the John Hancock building? <BR> <BR> Has anyone used the CityPass for museums? The plan so far includes Shedd, Field, and Museum of Science & Industry, at least, so it looked like a good deal, if they work the same as tickets and cut down on waiting in line. <BR> <BR> Has anyone taken one of the architecture cruises down the river--do you think the kids would enjoy it? (I know my mom would.) <BR> <BR> Thanks for any thoughts on things to do or places to eat; I want them to have the time of their lives! <BR> <BR>Q.P.

Hancock is a better experience than Sears. <BR> <BR>take them to a Cubs game. Even if they are not sports fans, they will love it.

If you're going to be downtown around July 4th, why not go to the taste. You'll be stuck in the traffic anyway, so may as well see what all the fuss is about. Seriously, though the taste is pretty fabulous. Just stop there for an hour or so and check things out and then move on to other things. I think Navy Pier is great. It's a fun stroll and there's so much to see. Take the Ugly Duck(I think that's the name of it) it's a pretty cheap boat tour that'll take you for a fun tour alont the lake front - they talk abot the history, architecture, etc... It leaves from Navy Pier and is more fun than the other tours so it'll probably be able o bridge the gap between your mother and your nieces and nephews. As far as the Sears Tower Vs. the Hancock - it's all relative. I love the Sears tower but I also love the view from the Signature room at the Hancock - it's included with the meal and you don't have to wait in line. I say stop at the Signature room for lunch and check out the view there. It's a little pricey but the line for the Sears tower can easily eat up a whole afternoon. I've actually never used the passes but my favorite museum is the Art Institute - by far. It's also in the heart of downtown as opposed to the Museum of Science and Industry which is pretty far south on LSD. Food - you name it, it's there and it's usually pretty fabulous. I love Greek Town but it can be pretty intimidating for most people who are unfamiliar with Greek Food. I've lived in Chicago and the surrounding burbs my whole life and I am the pickiest eater you can find. Incidentally I live in the far nothern suburbs now as well. I'm also only 21 years old so that might lend some perspective. Let me know if you have any further questions. I would be happy to help. <BR> <BR>Kristy

You really need to get a good guidebook. Have the kids take a look and pick one "can't miss" activity each. They could also each be in charge of restaurant choices, etc. for the day. This gets them involved in the planning and gets their anticipation level rising! <BR> <BR>The other reason you need to plan carefully is that you are hitting the tourist sites at a very crowded time. Parking/driving can be very awkward, time-consuming and expensive. Did you know that Navy Pier often runs out of parking space on summer weekends? There is a free shuttle, and Chicago has great public transportation in general; in fact, a trip on the el or Metra train may be one of the kids' favorite things, and it's a great way to see the neighborhoods of Chicago. Cab-hopping around downtown is not that expensive when you are talking about $12-20 a day to park. <BR> <BR>Get your priorities in order, and either plan to get places early, or at non-peak times, or have LONG waits in line for the smallest things. If you are going to the IMAX theatre at Navy Pier, for instance, you can buy tickets in advance. The suggestion of eating lunch at the Signature Room (95th floor of Hancock) is a good one. The Architecture River Cruise might be too long for kids unless they are prepared and know what they are looking at. You have to think of the other people on the boat - their tour will be ruined if the kids act inappropriately. There is no place to hide on the boats! <BR> <BR>Some things I think they will like are: walking around, viewing the public sculptures ( I think you can still eat outdoors near the Chagall mosaic) Museum of Science and Industry (takes a whole day); Aquarium OR Planetarium (you can do both in one day, but I find it best to alternate types of activities), letting them loose at Navy Pier to find their own amusement; Taste of Chicago (have very careful plans for reunification here - it's a mob scene. Go during mid-afternoon on a work day.) I've seen families take walkie-talkies with them so they can be apart but in touch - very important with this age group. Have a great visit. <BR> <BR>

good advice patg. And I know I didn't say this in my oiginal post - but take public transportation. Traffic during the taste is horrendous. And the Metra will get you there much quicker and cheaper. If you insist on driving, there are some great, cheap lots in greek town and you can just hail a cab or take the bus wherever you want to go. YOu can always just walk Michigan avenue and stop when something catches your eye. I personally love rollerblading around downtown (quick cheap transportation) but that's not the most appropriate idea with a grandmother. Have fun! <BR> <BR>Kristy

I have taken the Wendella cruise on the river & onto the lake. It is nice & leisurely. We, including 8 & 11 yr old boys, enjoyed it. But what the boys really liked was the cruise we took on the SeaDog - those are the big yellow speed boats that leave from Navy Pier. I enjoyed it also & so did the wife. All ages were on the boat. It was fun.

Bill - it was the sea dog that I was thinking of. I don't know why I said ugly duck. Fabulous tour and it's pretty short too. <BR> <BR>Kristy

I am in my late 20s anad have lived in the Linoln Park setion of Chicago for the past 2 years with my husband. We constantly have people ome visit inluding parents, siblings, friends, niees and nephews. This is a list of the most popular things to do with almost anyone. <BR> <BR>1) Navy Pier - all ages love it and they have a great fireworks show on the 4th but get their early in the day so you will ahve a seat <BR> <BR>2) lunch outdoors at Bubba Gump Shrimp on navy Pier <BR> <BR>3) CUBS game!!!!! -then wnder the are around Wrigley Field afterwards many great sports restaurants etc. for dinner <BR> <BR>4) Lincoln Park and the zoo - the best free zoo I've ever been to and peoplewathing in the park at outdor cafe is great. <BR> <BR>5) Visit Chinatown walk up/down streets and stop in for great inexpensive food. <BR> <BR>6) Don't try to visit more than 1 or 2 museums, kids of this age will get bored and its too beautiful to be indoors anyway. My favs for a group are the Field and the Shedd Aquarium. <BR> <BR>7) Sunday brunch at the Signature room of John Hancock building for view and terrific meal - afterwards head out for a walk up the mag mile. <BR> <BR>8) Always take public transportation!!!! Cannot stress enough. A trip in from the burbs ould take 2 hrs on a busy Saturday and parking garages in my area are always full by 11 a.m. on a nice Sat. (could be up to $30 to park for the day too!) <BR> <BR>9) Visit one of the great pizza places like Uno's or my fav, Geno's East <BR> <BR>I know many other things too, let me know if you have any more questions, this is just a sampling!

Topping!

Well, it's not exactly cultural <BR>Chicago, but if they have been reading up, I'm betting you're going to get at least one vote from someone for DisneyQuest. If you like virtual reality games, it is pretty good -- not cheap, though. <BR> <BR>The girls are probably going to want to spend some time shopping; possibly a LOT of time. Mom also may go for this. <BR> <BR>The kids are likely to really like the SeaDog boat ride, but it's pretty fast; make sure Mom knows what she's getting into. There is also a tall-ship cruise available on board the Windy, this might interest them if they like sailing. <BR> <BR>A museum I like that doesn't often get mentioned is the Chicago Historical Society. Neat exhibits on things like the World's Fair and the Chicago Fire, and, of course, famous gangsters.

My kids are roughly the same age... and I used to live near Chicago. Here's my advice... <BR>DON'T pack too much into one day... they'll shut down. <BR>Navy pier isn't that great for kids... although I know mine would likely enjoy the Yellow Dog boat. <BR>They liked the Aquarium. When we went to a second museum after the aquarium, they shut down. Too much in one day is a mistake. (Pick one museum,and that's it). <BR>I agree that Disney Quest would be a hit. <BR>Most girls would really like the American Girl Store.... it is geared to girls pre-school age through pre-adolescent (not far from water tower....). Boys & Girls like shopping at "Old Navy" geared to pre-teens & teens. (This is in the loop). <BR>Roller blading and/or strolling near the lakeshore is fun, too. <BR>I've been to taste of Chicago. My opinion is it's fun for adults, but kids may find it too crowded and/or boring. <BR>Chicago is a cool city... just don't try to do too much... Have fun.

Wow, thanks everybody! These are really great suggestions. The Cubs don't have a home game that week (June 29-July 5)so we're out of luck there, but a lot of the other things sound wonderful. I'm glad to know that the Sears Tower lines are so terribly long--guess I'll cross that off my list. I think the Sea Dog might be a bit much for my mom, who's turning 80 during this visit, but we'll see what she thinks; maybe just the kids can go while we grownups do something else. She does want to do the architecture river cruise, though. I think we'll avoid the Taste madness--too many crowds. <BR> <BR> Thanks, Jodi, for reminding me not to schedule too much. I was thinking of doing the Aquarium and the Field in one day, but that may be a stretch. And now that I think about it, patg, I'm sure you're right about giving the Museum of Science and Industry the better part of a whole day (thanks for all the other great ideas, too!) <BR> <BR> After so much time in the city--plus a bit of North Shore stuff, including some beach/swimming time--I thought we might do something completely different and maybe go to the Illinois Railway Museum, which is having a kind of festival on the Fourth of July, with steam locomotives you can ride on, etc. Anybody ever been to this museum? <BR> <BR> I'm a little nervous about this visit, but I think that if we don't try to do too much and pick the activities carefully it should be really fun for them. Anyway, thanks again everyone, and if any other advice leaps to mind, I'd be glad to have it. <BR> <BR>Q.P.

I know i missed out on the window of time of your relatives' visot...but next summer certainly remember to include the Ravinia Festival! Skip the pavillion seating, tho', stick with the lawn seating.