Need chicago suggestions...

[newfly]

At the rec centre last night I picked up the Oaklee's Family Guide (http://www.oakleesguide.com/). It looks like they have the same information on line as they do in the printed version. There are also discount coupons to attractions on their site.

I scanned it quickly, but I'll try and list items that catch my attention.

 

[IHeartSaving$]

The museums are all together (within walking distance)...Planetarium, Science and Industry, and the Natural History, Aquarium

It is right off the lake and a pretty walk (if the weather isn't too extreme). And anyone of those museums is really fun and interesting for the kids.

The Museum of Science & Industry is not part of the "museum campus." It's far south. Still off of LSD, but so not near the others. And not walkable. It'd be nice if it were, but it's not. :9:

One could spend a lot of time there (lots to see,) but I think someone coming in from the 'burbs or out of town would get the most bang for their buck (and time) if they stayed more toward downtown. You can see more that way. JMO.

 

[Okesson]

December 6 is a free day at the Museum of Science and Industry. You can take a bus from downtown to get there. There are buses near the Willis (Sears) Tower that get you there.
Sports fans? espn zone. legos fans? The Lego store on Michigan Ave. The Hancock tower has an observatory you can go up, and afterwards you can go to the Cheesecake Factory on the first floor. And near there is the Ghiradelli Chocolate store. Best hot chocolate!

The christkindl market is fun and is close to Garretts.
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/

Navy Pier is fun AND if your kids are Harry Potter fans, the movie will be on their Imax theater (I'm going next weekend!). There are fun restaurants there as well.

If you go the museum route, it's possible to get a ticket that can be used at all of them. I personally love the Field Museum. It reminds me of Night at the Museum.

The downside to Museum of Science and Industry is that there's nothing else in the area, unless you want to take a tour of the University of Chicago (go Maroons!). There's the Robie House, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright house, and the best gyros in the city. But if you are wanting to do lots of things versus spending the day at one place, I'd skip the museum. You could easily spend the whole day there.

 

[nicklesm17]

You go up to the Signature Room Lounge in the John Hanncock. It is 1 floor below the restaurant and has great views. Your family can order drinks, hot chocolate, or whatever for adults. The view is spectacular and it is nice place to sit and relax away from the crowd. It is not very pricey. We love going up there.

 

[a_s_b]

I've been putting this together for a while, going back and forth from work stuff and this post, so pardon my delay if answers have been given already.

I want to take my husband and our 2 sons on a train (metra?) ride from zion to downtown Chicago.

When?

If the weekend, both days (Saturday and Sunday)?

If you were planning a trip to Chicago, what would you want to see?

There's a lot to see, so it depends on what you like, how much money you can spend, how long you'll be "down" there, etc. ...

We do not have any type of pass and hoping that zion accepts cash as we board.

Zion doesn't have a ticket agent, and I don't recall if they have any ticket vending machines. Since there's no agent, and if there's no ticket vending machine, you'd just pay the conductor for a one-way ticket on the train. If there's a vending machine and you don't use it, the conductor charges a $3 surcharge.

A normal one-way ticket (Zion to Ogilvie) for an adult is $6.50.

Family Fares
On weekends and select holidays, kids ride FREE with Metra's Family Fares. Up to three children age 11 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult. Purchase a ticket or use your Monthly Pass or 10-Ride ticket as the adult fare. The $7 Weekend Pass can also be used as the adult fare.

If you left from the Waukegan stop, they have a ticket agent there, and I'd say you and your husband should get the $7 Weekend Pass, and pretend the 12 year old is actually 11, unless he's a monster and claiming he's 11 would draw laughter. The kids (11 and under) would ride free, and your total cost for tickets to get there and back all weekend would be $14 (2 adults, free kids).

If you couldn't pull off the 11 year old thing, then the 12 year old's ticket would be the Young Adult Fare of half price ($3.25) one-way. For an extra $.50, you could get him the $7 Weekend Pass too.

$7 Weekend Pass
Unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Can be used in conjunction with Metra's Family Fares. Not valid for travel on the South Shore (NICTD)

If you don't want to leave from Waukegan, and still choose Zion, then you and your husband would pay $6.50 each, going each way.

And if you can't pull off the 11 year old thing, then he'd pay the $3.25 going each way.

If you're doing the whole weekend, it's far better to get the $7 Weekend Pass.

Can you give pointers in riding the train?

None really needed. It's pretty decent. The seats aren't as comfy as recliners or anything, and if you like the view, I'd say hit the upper level. The boys can look down people's shirts. :snicker:

Where would you suggest NOT going.

I'd suggest figuring out where you're going such that you can walk there, or take a bus, because cabs will be expensive. And if you don't know where you're going, far too many of the downtown cabbies are really good for tryin' to run you up. They take you to Ohio, on the way to Navy Pier.

As for specific places to avoid, I can't really make a suggestion on that.

Remember we will be taking public transportation or walking.

That's a good way to go.

 

[a_s_b]

Christkindlmarket starts November 24th.

 

[Lauri]

You'll need exact change for busses in the city (at least I did last summer)

 

[Lauri]

Be aware that the trains are usually very full before/after a bears game...might want to check their schedual before you plan.

 

[fords8]

We are thinking over thanksgiving long weekend. Possibly waiting (or going again) until christmas vacation because my husband must take his last week of vacation the week before christmas. Thanks, asb, for telling me of the waukegan deal, that will help. The 12 year old will be fine being 11 for a day LOL. Probably will be museum trip, just trying to see what is nearest the train area downtown chicago. I like the idea of public transportation but am not wanting to take bus 1 and transfer to bus 2 ... read my **** will be lost, that is not happening. As for looking down women's blouses, that would be my youngests dream, seriously.

Again, thanks all for your help. Though I am not certain which day, we are going to wing it soon here I am quite excited.

 

[fords8]

thanks Lauri, ill check the football schedule also.

 

[IHeartSaving$]

We are thinking over thanksgiving long weekend. Possibly waiting (or going again) until christmas vacation because my husband must take his last week of vacation the week before christmas. Thanks, asb, for telling me of the waukegan deal, that will help. The 12 year old will be fine being 11 for a day LOL. Probably will be museum trip, just trying to see what is nearest the train area downtown chicago. I like the idea of public transportation but am not wanting to take bus 1 and transfer to bus 2 ... read my **** will be lost, that is not happening. As for looking down women's blouses, that would be my youngests dream, seriously.

Again, thanks all for your help. Though I am not certain which day, we are going to wing it soon here I am quite excited.

You'll also burn up a lot of time that way. Plus, more than 1 route generally stops at the same stops down there, so it'd be easy to get on the wrong bus or think your bus FINALLY arrived when it's really going elsewhere. Yes - avoid it if at all possible.

Checking the Bears schedule was a good suggestion. <thumbsup!>

 

[Lauri]

As a kid my parents hardly ever went into the city and it's only about an hour away.But growing up in a town without a stop light or gas station the city looked so scary to me. Started exploring the train, bus, city thing in my early 20's. I worked for a place that took a group (12-15) into the city by train on Saturday. (passes are good both sat AND sun)

I'ld gather up the weekend passes and by Sunday morning I'ld have a group of friends and we would just head into Chicago. Or a small group and we would just hand out the passes to anyone who needed them. either way we always had a blast!

Travel light, dress in layers, take a bottle of water and a few snacks, slow down and read signs, you're not going to see everything so pace yourself. Plan ahead if possible, most museums include on their websites "how to get here" including using public transportation. Bus drivers are usually friendly and helpful (never would have found the lego store by myself!) Keep your cash close to you, bags closed, be aware of your surroundings. Listen to street musicans and let your kids give a little $ to them, smile and enjoy your day

 

[fords8]

Thanks lauri Hadn't even thought we might see a street musician... I don't believe my kids have ever seen that around here. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.

One Christmas, we went to see my mom in Mississippi. We were out n about and I stopped at the welcome center to get a map of the state for each of my kids. As we walk in we hear music playing. Then comes singing. Well, if it would have been Christmas, it would have made sense. It was an Elvis impersonator and he was fully into being Elvis. My youngest was about 5 and instantly you could tell he was not to be a fan of Elvis. i looked at my son to see he is now plugging his ears. LOL gotta love em when they are that honest.

 

[Lauri]

Looks like if going to winter wonderfest at navy peir there will be free trolley between train stations and navy pier.

http://www.navypier.com/visit_us/pub_trans.html

 

[a_s_b]

We are thinking over thanksgiving long weekend.

Then Christkindlmarket will be open. It runs through December 24th.

It's not exactly close to the Museum Campus, but I'll still suggest it as a thing to do/see anyway. The tree will be up too. Christkindlmarket is in Daley Plaza.

Thanks, asb, for telling me of the waukegan deal, that will help. The 12 year old will be fine being 11 for a day LOL.

Then yeah, you and your husband should each get a $7 Weekend Pass, by going to the Waukegan station. That's all you both will need for the whole weekend. The kids, including the 11 year old 12 year old will be free.

Probably will be museum trip, just trying to see what is nearest the train area downtown chicago.

If you're doing the museums, the 14 Jeffery Express bus will take you from Ogilvie to Museum Campus (1100 S. Columbus stop).

Not that you'd have to do it this way, but if you're done at the museums, as you're heading back to the train station, you could get off the bus at Madison & Clark, and walk a block North to Christkindlmarket, then go back the way you came to get back on another 14 Jeffery Express bus to get to the train station, or just walk to the train if you prefer.

As for looking down women's blouses, that would be my youngests dream, seriously.

Upper level for sure then. Emphasis on hovering about hot minimally clothed females.

 

[a_s_b]

If you're doin' 2 days, then I'd say museums one day, and then tool around downtown the other. Lots to see, and do, and spend money on.