Trip Report - Chicago with a 17 year old
 

Part One:<BR><BR>Thanks to all who replied to my posting a couple of weeks ago regarding taking my 17 year old goddaughter Sofia to Chicago - following is our (long) trip report.<BR><BR>Drove from Toronto to Chicago - it's a really easy drive and only took 7.5 hours door to door (however, we did leave at 5:30am!). We were at our hotel by 12:30pm (Lenox Suites - great location, room was fine - $175 for a suite was the best rate I found) so had a somewhat unexpected, unplanned half day. Took a cab to the aquarium but the line was REALLY long - the aquarium, Field Museum and planetarium were all free that week which no doubt explains the long line. Took a cab to Navy Pier (it was POURING) and spent a couple of hours there - my goddaughter loved all the shops and vendors. A quick trip back to the hotel with a stop at Joe's for a late, light lunch of Stone Crab. We don't get Stone Crab often in Toronto and it was terrific.<BR><BR>We had dinner at Charlie Trotters that night. Many exceptional courses - a surprising stand out dish was foie ice cream! Sofia is very interested in fine cuisine; nonetheless I wasn't sure what she would make of it. After polishing it off she announced it was "delicious" and said she never thought she'd eat "liver ice cream". Service was excellent - they were very solicitous of her. When I made the reservation - about 6 weeks before - they asked if it was a special occasion. I told them our goddaughter was very interested in food and we were bringing her to Chicago to celebrate a great academic year - we had a terrific table (upstairs - overlooking the bar) and they offered to take us on a tour of the kitchen. Also, it seemed they brought us a LOT of desserts - the table of four next to us was having the same menu, slightly ahead of us - I don't think they had 9 different desserts! The meals were $120/each - my husband and I asked the waiter to match glasses of wines with the meal - that was approx $70/each - we were very pleased with the selections - all told the meal was $525 plus tip. Extravagant, but worth it.<BR>

Part Two:<BR><BR>Up early the next morning to go to the Field Museum for opening. We were aware of the 'free" day and concerned the lines would be long - got to the museum just before opening (9:00am during the summer months) - not a problem. In fact, we were the only people at "Sue" in the lobby and then went upstairs to see Sue's head - again, all alone. My husband is a big dinosaur nut - he was thrilled to see Sue - the museum has done an excellent job on the display. Toured the upstairs and then the Egyptian area - then tried the aquarium again. No luck - huge long line. <BR><BR>The weather was iffy - but we took a cab to Wacker and Michigan to see if we could take the architectural boat tour - at that moment it started to rain so we diverted to the Art Institute. I've been there once before - it's a treasure - we were sure to visit each of our "favourites" - the Grande Jatte (my husband), any Van Gogh (Sofia) and for me, the Monets. <BR><BR>Then off to Frontier Grill for a very late lunch (Trotters the night before took care of breakfast!) - it was very good…..but not quite as great as we expected - perhaps we should have chosen Topolobompa. The best dish was the appetizer platter.<BR><BR>Next was shopping on the Magnificent Mile (my husband took a pass on that!). Sofia and I walked up and down both sides (with a stop on the way at the Hancock Building Observatory) - she was delighted to find a French Connection store, and I'll be apologizing to her mother for a long time for the T-Shirt she bought! <BR><BR>Off to Second City for the 11pm show that night - "Thank Heaven it Wasn't 7-11" - a funny, irreverent show that Sofia loved. <BR><BR>Despite the late hour the night before, we were determined to get to the aquarium early to avoid the lines! Got there at 9:15am and were rewarded with no lines - it's a wonderful aquarium. Saw the dolphin/whale show and the diver tour of the Caribbean tank - then a quick cab ride over to Wacker and Michigan (again!) for the boat tour. The Architectural boat tour was booked for the day, so we took the lake/river tour boat that leaves from the same dock. It was great - and while the clouds looked threatening at first - the rain held off and it turned into a lovely afternoon.<BR><BR>Then - to Pizza Due (Uno was full) for deep dish pizza and a quick trip back to Navy Pier for souvenirs. Early to bed that night as we were leaving early the next morning.<BR><BR>We had a great weekend in Chicago - thanks to many suggestions on this board - and I would highly recommend it for a family with teenagers. Happy to answer any questions.<BR><BR><BR>

Note to self - "Frontera Grill" not Frontier Grill!

Elizabeth,<BR><BR>Glad you had a great time, please come visit us again. A $525 meal, wow!<BR>

Right...a $525 meal...and then we're (she's) worried about free day at the museums. go figure.

It does not say that she was worried about free day at the museum - it says the museums were free that whole week so the lines happened to be long.

There always has to be someone to make a rude comment on this site. If they would have read her entire thread, they would have realized that the museums just happened to be free the whole week and she only mentioned it because she said they were very crowded.

Elizabeth,<BR><BR>We just booked our Summer vacation as first time visitors to Chicago this Aug. We have a teen and a pre-teen child and are thinking of doing some of the things you mentioned.<BR><BR>Can you tell me if the Lenox was in close proximity to the Navy Pier or ESPN Zone or if there are other hotels within the price range you mention that we should consider?<BR><BR>Another question I have is whether or not you felt a weekend was adequate time to spend in Chicago, since we would like to explore parts of Wisconsin and Michigin, as well, while we're there(we have one week)<BR><BR>Thanks!!

Dee Dee, you should be able to see everything you want in Chicago in a weekend. You should check quikbook and expedia for good rates on hotels. There are alot of bargains right now. There is a new Embassy Suites that is close to Lake Michigan and Navy Pier and not too far from ESPN zone. This would be a nice option with 2 children. Besides having a suite, they include a full breakfast and cocktail hour. Hotel Intercontinental is in a good location also and they have a nice pool for the kids.