Visiting Chicago with teenagers
 

Hi, We are going to Chicago for the first time for vacation next week,(July 25). We have 3 teenagers. They want to go on one of the crusies. Does anyone have any suggestions? <BR>We are also having trouble finding a hotel that will allow 5 in a room. The cost for 2 rooms is pricey. Any suggestion? If we stay further out, where should we stay? <BR>Oh, And has anyone been to Chinatown? <BR>Thanks for your help.

I am planning on going to Chicago in August and also had a hard time finding places to stay especially in the downtown area. We eventually decided to stay in the suburbs at a hotel called Embassy Suites Chicago Lombard Oakbrook (18 miles to Downtown Chicago). Our family of five have stayed at this chain (not this hotel) numerous times and found it to be very good especially for what it all has to offer. Such as a two-room suite, breakfast, and cocktails in the evening all included in the rate. <BR> <BR>I cannot comment on Chinatown or Cruises, since this is my first time to Chicago, too. <BR> <BR>If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me, otherwise have a great trip! <BR> <BR> <BR>

What a great city!! <BR> <BR>The best cruise, IMHO, is the Chicago Architectural Foundation cruise of the Chicago River and the Lake. It takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours and the narration is wonderful. This is definitely a must. There are two boats, the Mercury and the W------(name escapes me!). Get either at the bridge at Michigan and Wacker Sts. Early is better since they are timed tickets and you may have to wait a couple of hours if busy.

I can't give you advice on a hotel, because we usually stay with relatives when we go to Chicago. <BR>I have two teen age sons , and when we went to Chicago recently, thay really enjoyed Disney Quest. It' a place filled with virtual reality games. We spent the whole day and had a lot of fun. It's downtown (don't know the address). If you go, you should get there before it opens and que up. <BR>Have a great time!

Do North Pier and Navy Pier, for sure! Lots of adolescent-friendly stuff to do, esp. in evening. The lake cruises are likely to be booked and they're pricey, but the river cruises are more open and, in my opinion, much more fun. The architectural boat tour really is good but hope the kids won't grumble about being told something about building and city design. I'd take them anyway. <BR> <BR>The aquarium is a must-see. Get there first thing in the morning and be aware there's a fair amount of construction around there, which makes getting there and parking a MAJOR challenge. It's even a challenge to take a cab. If all are healthy, park in the southern part of the Loop and walk over. <BR> <BR>The planetarium is not a must-see unless you've never seen one before. Ditto Chinatown -- it is very disappointing compared to NY, SF, or even Boston's small one, but if you've never seen a collection of mostly mediocre Chinese restaurants in one place, it might be okay. <BR> <BR>I prefer the view from the Hancock to the one from the Sears -- and often less waiting time. <BR> <BR>Have fun and I hope the weather behaves -- be prepared for anything.

Thanks for all the info. We leave in a couple of days so I am trying to get all this information together. <BR>I am still looking for a place to stay. Any addition info will be great. <BR>Thanks again. I really enjoy this web site. It is very helpful.

I have found a hotel: Ramada Inn 4900 Lake Shore Drive. Any comments? Several comments have been made about staying away from the south end of town, is this too far south? Has anyone stayed here? Thanks for your imput.

I used to work at 310 S. Michigan, so I always use that as my reference point. It's right across the street from Grant Park (Buckingham Fountain, etc), and 2 or 3 blocks south of that is the end of the loop. It sounds like 4900 S. is WAY too far out of it. <BR> <BR>A suggestion: go to mapquest.com, type in your 4900 S. Lakeshore address, and also 900 N. Michigan, which is the shopping mecca of Michigan avenue. This will give you a good idea of how far from everything you are. <BR> <BR>By the way, a place kids like to eat at -- and many adults, too, is Ed DeBevick's. Have fun!

The Ramada is on the edge of the Univ. of Chicago campus/Hyde Park area -- a wealthy island surrounded by more dangerous areas. It will require you to come and go by car (no public transportation close enough to walk comfortably) and be wary at night, but we stayed there without serious incident while interviewing at UC for a job. But I suspect you may be a lot more comfortable back around the Loop or in Evanston or even Skokie. There are some hotels out Milwaukee Ave. in the N/NW suburbs (Suite-type) from which you could drive to Glenview and take the train -- a slight haul but easier than driving in and out of the city.

We were at Navy Pier a couple of days ago, a lot of the lake cruises leave from there. They seemed a bit pricey, esp. for the dinner cruises. I think the Architectural cruises sound more interesting but the view from Lake Michigan is fabulous. There are a couple that looked a bit more affordable, Ugly Duck (www.uglyduckcruises.com) being one of them. Kids would probably enjoy Navy Pier, there's a giant ferris wheel, you can rent bikes and roller blades, and the Michael Jordan film is at the IMAX. <BR> <BR>Chinatown is Chicago is not that impressive, I wouldn't make a major effort to visit. Lots of great restaurants in the more tourist oriented locations. <BR> <BR>If you're planning on visiting any museums, all of them have free days. The Shedd Aquarium is free on Monday, Field Museum on Wednesday, Museum of Science and Industry on Thursday. The Field Museum currently has Sue (the most complete T Rex ever found) on exhibit and there's a Star Wars exhibit as well. And the Lincoln Park zoo is free every day. <BR> <BR>Jim's advice is well intentioned, but the drive into the city from Oakbrook is murder, esp. during construction season (which is pretty much anytime besides winter). <BR> <BR>Try Expedia and Travelocity for rooms, also www.hoteldiscount.com might have something. <BR> <BR>Also, good website for Chicago is www. metromix.com. <BR> <BR>And if you're here over the weekend of July 29, you should make it a point to check out Venetian night. The boat parade starts at 8:30, fireworks at 9:30, better than the ones for the 4th of July. We watched from Navy Pier last year, the boat parade can be viewed from Monroe Harbor along the lakefront to Roosevelt Road.

Wow! What information! Thank you all so much! It looks like it would be best to pay the bucks and stay downtown. All the tourist information is very helpful. Thank you! <BR>

KS, <BR> <BR>With teens try to get tickets for Blueman Group (go to www.blueman.com) although the web site can never do justice to the incredible show. Also search this forum using the blueman name. <BR>Maria

Just returned from a conference in Chicago. Try getting a suite at the Homewood Suites on E. Grand Ave. It's just off Michigan Ave. and around the corner from the Disney Quest. Suites have king bed, queen sofa bed and for an extra $10 you can get a twin rollaway. That makes five! Breakfast and light supper included to save even more, and full (not wet bar/microwave) kitchen as well. Fantastic service. It's owned by Hilton but caters to longer staying business persons. No major public spaces like bars, cafes, meeting rooms, but plenty in the neighborhood. <BR> <BR>As for the river cruises, there are two that leave from the southwest corner of Michigan and Wacker Dr. The Architecture Foundation's tour is 90 min. all river, all architecture! I tried to get a ticket but it had been sold out for over 24 hours! All my colleagues who were lucky enough to get tix raved about it. I did take the other tour on the Murcury which was also 90 min. but went out into the lake as well as the river and this one my be better for your teens. Very good commentary as well, but perhaps not so "boring" to an adolescent (I have one, too). <BR> <BR>If your kids or you are fans of Saturday Night Live, you may want to visit Second City. Many of the SNL actors trained at 2nd City, and the shows reflect this sort of comedy. I took a bunch of teens a few years ago and they loved it. <BR> <BR>If you do stay in town, there are free trollys between which travel along Michigan Ave to the Field Museum/Shedd Acquarium campus, and another route which goes to the Navy Pier. May be worth using these if you can get on. If not, we took a taxi to the Field and it was not too expensive. Cheaper than parking I believe. <BR> <BR>A good, quick, free museum your kids may enjoy (and certainly you will) is in the Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan Ave. in the former Chicago Public Library building. It's the Museum of Broadcasting and the exhibit on radio is just fantastic! Period rooms light up and play shows of that day, and you can even open Fibber McGee's closet! I saw young kids having a great time there. The Television portion didn't look as well put together, but I may have been there between exhibits. It's free and worth the stop. <BR> <BR>Hope your family loves Chicago.

I would also suggest going dowm to the Museum of Science and Industry(has the only U boat sub captured during WWII and coalmine but until Sept. 4 has the exhibit and artifacts on the Titanic. There is so much to do in Chicago for all ages. If you could be more specific in your interest and ages of kids-I would be happy to help as I live in the northern suburbs and have two teenagers myself. Debbie

Everyone: Last Friday I took the Metra (train) down to LaSalle St. station from the far SW suburbs and saw the special Egyptian display at the Art Institute. Very nice! $15 to get into both the special exhibit and the gen. admission to the museum itself. I never waited in a line, as I did both and there was no wait at all for the combo ticket. It's cheaper during the earlier days of the week, also. Some of the modern art makes you wonder. A pile of candy and plaster in the cornor???? Wires coming out of 1 black wall??? Well, the Impressionists and the antiquities sure made it worth the trip. We have some fabulous hotels, motels along the I-80 corridor but it <BR>is really a hassle to drive downtown and then have to pay so much to park. Too much time taken in transit on the expressways. The same for Oakbrook as <BR>I-55 is horrible, would never wish that on anyone for a vacation experience.

Thanks again for all the information. I have been telling my family everything that is being said about Chicago. We all can hardly wait. It sounds like a fun place to go. <BR>We have a lot of ideas of things to do, now. So, I shouldn't have to worry about hearing "I'm bored"!!! <BR>I am still trying to locate a hotel. I have a couple in reserve but they are so expensive.( Mariott-$289 a night x 2) <BR>I am getting ready to check out Priceline.com. Someone earlier had mention they had used it. Any feedback from anyone on that? <BR>Thanks for all your help. I hope when we get back I can be of some help to other people needing information!

KS, Unless my speed reading is poor, did anyone mention the new ESPNzone? <BR> <BR>Lots of sports games. <BR> <BR>Also, I got some last minute reservations at The Talbott for around $179/night. Great little hotel on E. Delaware near Rush St. <BR> <BR>Kal