What a trip to Chicago!!

M

midwestchick

Cathlete
Wow, what a fun town. It's urban yet approachable -not daunting and overwhelming like NYC. We had such a blast. Took too tour buses full of total 80 parents/children. Those children were phenomenal. All of them did so well on all of the tours - they were so patient and respectful (wish I could say that for all of the parents!)

We went to Millenium Park, Navy Pier, walking architectural tour of downtown Chicago, Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio and walking tour of Oak Park District, Sears Tower on the skydeck, Museum of Science and Industry, architectural cruise on Chicago River thru downtown Chicago, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie house near Univ. of Chicago. (as if you couldn't tell, the subject they've been studying is architectue - the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff was fascinating)

Got some deep dish pizza - yummy! Had some drinks at night with some fun parents at ESPN zone whilst the kids played games. Didn't find the true Chicago hot dog. That was my quest - to find an authentic Chicago dog (without ketchup of course!) Couldn't find any vendors like NYC or any little food stands, but then again, we were on a tight schedule which didn't leave much time for gastronomical exploration - dangit!

OMG, I almost forgot - the highlight of the trip (sorry Mr. Wright...) was the Blue Man Group. What fun -we were in the third row with our ponchos on.

The entire trip was unforgettable - just thought I'd share.

Will be back to that fun town with the whole family hopefully sometime in the future!

I also didn't get to run on the lakeshore which I wanted to do so badly. It was pretty cold--- lame, I know..

Heidi
 
I love Chicago! It's one of my absolute favorites cities and I completely agree about the architecture--it's jaw dropping gorgeous.
Love the pizza too--Giordano's is still my favorite.

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
 
You are making me homesick! :(

I was born and raised just outside of Chicago. When I tell people I'm from there, I almost get raves about the city. I'm glad that hasn't changed. I miss the FOOD most of all!!!

I'm glad you guys had a great time.
 
I am downstate Illinois and DD and I went up to see Wicked at the beginning of April. I had never been to Millineum park, what a nice place. We would have loved to go to the art museum, but no time, I told her a two day trip is in order. It only takes us a couple of hours to get there.
 
Sounds wonderful. We live in a suburb of Chicago and are big architecture fans. We've done the same FLW tours you did and really enjoyed it. The pizza is of course great (I agree about Giorano's).

I'm surprised you couldn't get to a hot dog spot - they are everywhere! But like you say - not a lot of street vendors. IIRC the street vendors in the loop tend to sell pretzels. Anyway - it's a good excuse to come back and visit again.

I recommend Grant Park and the Museum Campus in the summertime. The Natural History Museum, Planetarium, Aquarium are all together and on the lakefront. BEAUTIFUL! And the Art Institute is an easy walk from their - the new modern wing will be finished next year.
 
Wow, I didn't know Giordano's was so famous! I thought it was just a place we picked with pizza, but that deep dish pizza was amazing! Gin and tonics weren't too bad either;)

Next time we go, we plan on doing Shedd Aquarium and the other museums close by. If only hotel rooms weren't so dang expensive, but it makes sense to stay in town.

Heidi
 
If you're going to Shedd Aquarium during a busy time like on a weekend, BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE IN ADVANCE! I wish someone had given us this little tidbit when we went last summer on a Sunday afternoon and spent 2 hours standing in line just to buy tickets! x( Anyone who already had tickets could walk right in.

HTH,
Sue
 
Another one that is getting home sick reading this. I grew up in Des Plaines and still have family down there. I get back there about 4 times a year. I love Lake Shore Drive and the Museum of Science and Industry is my favorite museum. And, I still haven't found a pizza place here in MN (and I have been here for 15 years) that even compares to Chicago. And, even though I don't normally eat hot dogs -no one makes them like Chicago. They are the best.

Glad you had such a great time in the Windy City!

Joanne
 
I love, love Chicago! I've been 3 times in 3 years; in June, DH and and I are returning with our 14 yr old twin DDs. We ALWAYS take a nonstop flight from Austin that gets us there in plenty of time for lunch at Giordano's!!! Here's my question for you: I've seen Blue Man twice, and we are going again this time. One of my DDs wants to sit in the poncho zone. Last time I was there it seemed too close --can you see well from there? And do you really need the poncho (do you get dirty/wet)?

Thanks!
 
Regarding blue man group, yes, the view was great from the third row, but even though we had ponchos on, we hardly got anything on us. The front row got a bit more than us, but it wasn't like Gallagher smashing pumpkins or anything:eek:

Heidi
 
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