Suggestions for "must-see!" in Chicago?

**krbshappy71** · 01-06-2008, 01:20 PM

We are tentatively planning a road trip to Chicago area this summer. (driving from CO) If you know of some "must see!" items on the way there or within Chicago I would love to hear them. Yes, I could google until my heart desires but it is always more fun to hear personal experiences.

**latierra84** · 01-06-2008, 04:08 PM

I know that they've got water (a lake? not too sure) right in their downtown. My brother went a few years back and came home with some really nice pictures.

I think they're known for their pizza by the slice. Or is it huge hotdogs?

**KJayEsq** · 01-06-2008, 04:21 PM

I've never been (it's on "the list"), but my BF has been many times and raves about the architecture tour (done from a boat). He says that's great.

There is also a huge science/technology museum there where they have a whole U-Boat that you can walk through and check out (if history is an interest of yours).

Food-wise, I hear the pizza is to die for!! Summer time is perfect for catching a Cubs (or White Sox) game too. Have fun!

**patinohio** · 01-06-2008, 04:44 PM

I LOVE chicago. The lakefront is Lake Michigan, which forms the cities entire eastern border. There are great beaches downtown with miles and miles of running/walking/biking/skating trails along the lakefront. Used to be able to rent bikes pretty cheap. You may want to check that out online. Would be a fun day.
"Navy Pier" is located on the lake near downtown. It is the old pier, now filled with shops, activities, food and an enormous ferris wheel.
Rather than Sears tower, my friends and I went to the top of the Hancock Tower. The best view in town with a restaurant/bar on top, although you will have to investigate discounts. No need to get food/drink while there (we didn't), just enjoy the view.
When online, you might want to check if Oprah or Springer are taping. That should be free.
Not sure if anyone likes sports, but the Cubs play at historic Wrigley field. And Wrigleyville is a fun neighborhood with a ton of restaurants/bars.
Another tip...find somewhere outside of the city or on the outskirts to park and plan to use the "L" elevated train. The schedules and maps are online on the Chicago Transit Authority website. They have different lines deliniated by color. They go almost everywhere in town...including the magnificent mile (shopping), which I'm sure your daughters will want to see. Bring good walking shoes and have fun. When I think of more stuff, I will post.

**SSGWilkesWife** · 01-06-2008, 04:52 PM

Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry (must see, especially for kids) china town, and the zoo, Brookfield or Lincoln Park (L.P is free, or used to be) make sure you get some Chicago pizza at a locally owned place and do not forget your Chicago style hot dogs! Sears tower is nice but my kids were not too excited about it, they were more excited about walking the streets and looking up instead of down. LOL Take a ride down Michigan Ave and dont forget about Millinium park.

Here is a link, try this....... http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...go-TG-C-1.html

**patinohio** · 01-06-2008, 04:53 PM

The architecture tour mentioned is on the Chicago River. I've not been on them, but have seen the boats go by and they look nice.

**krbshappy71** · 01-06-2008, 06:16 PM

Wow, thank you for all the responses! I will definitely have to check out the Uboat, and thank you for the link!

I'm very excited. We breezed through last summer but did not stay in the area long enough to see any sites. This summer we are planning a week JUST in that area. YAY!!

**sdrjeolsen** · 01-06-2008, 06:55 PM

we lived in the chicago area for 14 years, all 3 of our kids were born there. They have lots of great stuff to do.

If you love pizza go to Leonardo's in Naperville (Leonardo's Pizza, 131 W. Jefferson, Naperville, IL, 630/717-0700). Best pizza you'll ever eat, ever. Get a stuffed one, but be prepared, it take almost an hour to cook and they used to only take cash. But, its been years so things could have changed in that regard, but I know they still have awesome pizza. Naperville also has a beautiful riverwalk within walking distance of Leonardo's. and lots of uppity/fancy shops right there on the same few blocks.

As far as Chicago:
Buckingham fountain in Grant park
The Bean, in Mellinium park along the lake shore
Museum of Natural History
Shedd Aquarium
Museum of Science & Industry
Navy Pier
The Art Museum
My dh took a boat tour off lake Michigan, but he can't remember the specifics, sorry
The zoo's suck, skip them
The Magnificent Mile -has lots of froo-froo shopping.
The old Watertower is (used to be anyhow) a visitor center. It was one of the few buildings that survived the great Chicago fire.
Sears tower offers a neat view of the city from the 103rd floor. We were with family who were visiting us and couldn't afford to go up in the sears tower, so we went up as far as we could in the Hancock building and peeked out the windows there till a guard came and threw us out. We only got about a 1 minute view, but it was still fun to do.
Oprah, call ahead for tickets
If you have girls that are into American Girl, they have a place downtown and you can have tea and fancy cakes. Its pretty froo-froo. you have to buy tickets well in advance they also have a museum type of thing and of course a humongo store.
Adler planetarium

Also, speaking frugally, they used to have free days or 1/2 price days at a lot of the museums and other educational places, I'd check into that since it can be quite costly to get into some of the stuff. Just call and ask when they have discounted days. It used to be once a week for many of the places.

You can get a hotel farther out where it is cheaper like along Rt 59 between Aurora and Naperville, (also referred to as the Fox Valley) and take the train into Chicago every day. The hotels in that area are pretty new, groceries/dining will be cheaper than actually in Chicago. You can get a train pass for a discount if you buy several rides together. They have express trains that don't make many stops.

Sorry for the novel, feel free to PM me if you have more questions. Also look into buying an entertainment book, they are cheap now and I'm thinking it may save some $ on some of the attractions you want to visit.

**LexTysMommy** · 01-07-2008, 08:05 AM

Well we take train to Chicago every summer and love it. Denise covered everything you can imagine.

Our favorties are Millenium Park, Walking the magnificent mile (hershey store! Yummy!), navy pier is fun ( we rent a bicycle built for 4! That is a blast to ride the lake shore with the kids).

**krbshappy71** · 01-07-2008, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by LexTysMommy

Well we take train to Chicago every summer and love it. Denise covered everything you can imagine.

Our favorties are Millenium Park, Walking the magnificent mile (hershey store! Yummy!), navy pier is fun ( we rent a bicycle built for 4! That is a blast to ride the lake shore with the kids).

A bicycle built for 4? How adorable!! I have to look into that!

**LexTysMommy** · 01-07-2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

A bicycle built for 4? How adorable!! I have to look into that!

Its so neat, Had canopy on top, 4 places for pedaling ( 2 in front 2 in back side by side) ANd basket in front to hold stuff. They also have a side by side bicycle built for 2 with basket in front. When the kids were little we put kids in front basket ( its big and has seatbelts for that reason! LOL) and was easier to pedal. You rent by the hour. Fun FUn!

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-07-2008, 12:14 PM

Don't forget the water taxi's on the river! They are a great way to get around some of the areas in Chicago and if you get a day pass it is cheaper than regular taxis and soooooo much fun!

I know you can catch the water taxi at Ogilivie Train Station (ok, I think I spelled that wrong...but the train stations are across the streets from each other, so it is either that one or Union station).

Dos Hermanos is a great Mexican restaurant, it is on the second floor of the Sears tower. So, it is a fun alternative to going up in the tower...you can say you ate lunch there, and the food is really good!

Do NOT plan on spending the day at the beach swimming...because it just won't happen. The Chicago beaches are always closed, but...you can drive over to Indiana and go to the Indiana Dunes for the day if you want to spend the day at the beach!

Other than that, it sounds like everything is covered! If you go to Millenium park, make sure you take a change of clothes for EVERYONE! I'm not sure who loves playing in the interactive fountains more, the kids, teens or adults!