johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Aug 11, 2014 21:06:31 GMT
Looks like DSs (13 & 3) and I will be joining DH on a 2 day trip to Chicago in the very near future. We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza Metro, dh will have the car so we'll be using public transportation or walking. Dh will be working from around 9am (or whenever we get there) till after dinner the first day, and early morning till 4 or 5pm the 2nd day (then we'll leave to come home). I've been to Chicago a couple times before as has DS1, but I've never been "alone" nor have I ever taken a toddler. I'm thinking maybe take a cab up to N. Lakeshore (museums, Navy Pier,  ) and hang out along there all day, both days, but honestly I haven't a clue. Any ideas/tips? And even though he's probably too old, I'm taking the stroller for DS2, it's the only chance I have at staying sane  |
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Post by scrappincolleen on Aug 11, 2014 21:15:03 GMT
Given the age of your boys I think the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarioum or Lincoln Park Zoo would be perfect.
Your 13 DS would probably enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry, but I don't recall much that would fit well with the younger DS.
A great dinner place atmosphere for them would be Ed Debevics.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Aug 11, 2014 21:16:21 GMT
You can spend a nice day at the museum campus with Shedd, Field, and maybe Adler. You can spend a bit of time outside. Maybe bring a picnic lunch.
Nice views of skyline and lake there.
You can easily spend a whole day at Mus of Science and Industry. Not much outside but you will find plenty inside. One day not enough.
Lincoln Park Zoo is still free!
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Aug 11, 2014 21:21:29 GMT
Ok, sounds like I'm on the right track as far as the museums/area. Are cabs the best way to get around? You can't walk from the museums to the zoo, right? But maybe if we went to 1 area one day, and the other the next??
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Aug 11, 2014 21:28:14 GMT
The zoo and museums pretty far apart. With a stroller i would taxi to each area on two days. Look at the museums online and see what is a better fit. You will be hard pressed to see three in one day. You can see two pretty easily. You would need to taxi to science as not part of museum campus.
Look at a map so they dont drive you all over kingdom come. All those places are near the lake.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Aug 11, 2014 23:22:34 GMT
Thank you for the offer, Monica, but I don't think it'll make it in time. We're leaving Thur. I was actually just looking at the bus tours/on-off buses, thought that might be the best/easiest/cheapest way to get around but dh isn't comfortable with that, he'd rather I just take a cab  Which brings up another issue, what about a carseat?  I forgot about the Bean though, we'll have to stop there for sure! |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 12, 2014 5:07:25 GMT
Much as I hate to point anybody toward the cash suck that is Navy Pier, the (great) Chicago Children's Museum is there, with a range of activities for all ages, including a great water play room. The live theater there, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, is running "Seussical" through August 18. And, of course, the ferris wheel...
Lincoln Park (lagoon, paddle boats, playgrounds, skate park, free zoo and conservatory) also has the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - much smaller than the big name museums, with a nice butterfly room. You can walk from Oak Street Beach to North Avenue Beach, which is fun, splash in the water, and then do the Lincoln Park stuff.
Speaking of splashing, the water fountain/feature at Millenium Park is a great place to play. Have the kids wear swim suits under their clothes, and bring towels and plastic bags.
Your hotel is in the West Loop, so not walkable with kids. There's probably a bus that goes west on Madison - straight to Millennium Park/Art Institute. Check the CTA website or ask the concierge. A taxi would be easier, especially if you go north (Navy Pier, beaches, Lincoln Park) or south (aquarium, planetarium, Field museum).
If your older son likes Lego, there's a store in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue.
The Wendella boat trips are nice - maybe when your husband gets off work.
Have fun!
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Aug 12, 2014 9:38:19 GMT
Thanks Amelia!!
Does anyone know the law about car seats in cabs in Chicago? I can't seem to find a straight answer online and it make totally change our plans if they're required.
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Post by mari on Aug 12, 2014 11:49:41 GMT
I don't believe car seats are required in commercial vehicles (like licensed taxi cabs) in Chicago. Uber/Lyft type car services would not be exempt from car seats. Many taxi companies can provide a car seat upon request if you call ahead and ask.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 12, 2014 12:30:25 GMT
I've never seen tourists lugging car seats, if that helps.
Call the hotel. Even if they don't have a concierge, they're used to answering questions about transportation.
(Forgot to say in my last post: The hotel is close to Willis/Sears Tower and even closer to Greek Town restaurants.)
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Aug 12, 2014 13:18:17 GMT
I think taxis are exempt. Perhaps if you call ahead, they can have one for you.
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Aug 12, 2014 13:34:17 GMT
We just returned from a family trip to Chicago. My boys are older and we stayed right on Michigan Ave. We bought a trolley "hop on hop off" pass. It was perfect! Takes longer to get around, but you see and hear so much about the city. We went to Willis Tower, John Hancock Observatory, Navy Pier, Boat ride, Adler and both the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. We bought a City Pass for entry into all of the exhibits and the coupon book from the trolley had a 2 for 1 boat coupon.
The aquarium would be a great choice for your boys. My boys loved it, but many things would be more geared to your boys age.
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) and hang out along there all day, both days, but honestly I haven't a clue. Any ideas/tips? And even though he's probably too old, I'm taking the stroller for DS2, it's the only chance I have at staying sane 
Which brings up another issue, what about a carseat? 
