Last minute tips for our trip to ORD

Fellow travellers,

Our trip to Chicago is nearly upon us and I was wondering if anyone has any last minute tips for us ?
We fly to ORD in PE on Friday 2nd. Fingers crossed for vport!

Plans so far are a river/lake boat trip on Sat, brunch at the Signature room on Sunday.
Plus trips to zoo,parks,pier etc to keep the child entertained.
Oh and shopping of course )
We are staying at the Hilton Homewood Suites for 5 nights.

We haven't decided how we are getting from the airport to downtown yet. Not sure how easy it would be on the train with toddler, luggage etc. I have ordered an inflatable booster seat for him to make it a little safer in the taxi should we use one.

Any tips greatly appreciated
Thanks
L2H

Oh fab ! I was there in July

Here are a few things-
+ Lake / River tour
+ Shedd Aquarium
+ Field Museum
+ Adler Plaintarium
+ Art Institute of Chicago - walk the bridge from Millenium park across the road (access is near the Band Shell). Kids love it.
+ Navy Pier - Childrens Museum and fair rides + places to eat
+ Willis (Sears) Tower.
+ Ride the Loop section of the EL just for the views!

Visit the Chicago Cultural Centre - it has a tourist office where you can get maps etc

Have a quick look at these passes

City Pass and Go Chicago Card They might seam expensive but they will save you money and you can often queue jump too

If you go to Macys ask at their visitor centre for a 10% discount voucher. It doesn't cover everything in the store but it will at least save you the sales tax on the items it does.

Buy a pass for the EL and Buses - will work out better value and easier trying to find change etc! The CTA website is good for travel directions.

As for getting from the airport to downtown - TBH I'd get a cab. In July it cost me approx $ 40 from ORD to the Loop. The EL system was not designed for modern travellers with lots of luggage as it has lots narrow platforms and ticket gates and few lifts and escalators - especially in the loop area.

Brilliant ! Thanks so much for all that

[mcmbenjamin]

The El cost $2.25 and takes about 60 minutes from/to ORD.
-The Signature Room is a great idea. The Sears/Willis Tower cost $18 or so plus there tends to be a long (2 hour) wait. You can walk on a glass floor. The ------Signature Room gives you a better view of Chicago and is cheaper (they have a one drink minimum policy, cheapest drink is $5.00).
-Go to Andersonville - Red line to Berwyn. Go to Ann Sather for the Cinnamon Rolls. Andersonville is a Swedish area and has nice shops. Check out the Galleria (local art gallery with about 85 local artist with booths.)
-Check out the beaches - North Ave beach is the closest beach to you/tourist area. Normally packed after 5Pm-ish. Volleyball in action normally. Gay beach is up north called Hollywood Beach. There is a Cheesecake Factory near Oak Street Beach. I have been known to get a peice of cheesecake and eating it on the beach then walking back up north to my house. There is also a bar at North Ave Beach and Oak St Beach.
-Wrigleyville/Wrigley Stadium. Take in a Cubs game. Google Wrigley Rooftops - amazing, and amazing VALUE.

What are your interest? Happy to suggest things based on what you like to do. My number one suggestion is to get out of the tourist area. Chicago is a great city. Venture out a bit and see the real Chicago.

I'd go to the Lucky Horseshoe and be sleazy ): ): ):

Seriously though, these guys and gals have great ideas, I love the architectural boat tour, Oak Forest, the Chicago Chop House, even the SigRm.

[mitchja]

Also pay a visit to the John Hancock observatory - never gets as busy as the Sears Tower observatory plus there's a Cheesecake factory at the bottom

Don't forget to pay a visit to the Cloud Gate sculpture (the bean) in Millennium Park as well y)

Oh one other thing, if you want a real burger, and the bizarre option of chocolate cheese in the salad buffet, try out RJ Grunts in Lincoln Park, near the zoo. Actually the zoo is fab!

Oh one other thing, if you want a real burger, and the bizarre option of chocolate cheese in the salad buffet, try out RJ Grunts in Lincoln Park, near the zoo. Actually the zoo is fab!

I'm surprised the chocolate cheese doesn't come with added bacon. Then it would be the American Holy Grail of food.

We went to Chicago in May and loved it, we did all the things fellow V Flyers have aready mentioned but one of the best things we did was hire bikes and cycled along the lake (34 miles round trip) might not be ideal with a toddler though.

Oh and the cheesecake factory was amazing

Wow, thanks again everyone. Have printed all your tips to take with us. All packed and ready to go now , so excited !!!

[mcmbenjamin]

I'd go to the Lucky Horseshoe and be sleazy ): ): ):

8D SUPER Classy! SUPER! I would suggest Crew, North End and Sidetrack for gay bars in Chicago, in the order. Those are different than UK gay bars. And skip Cell Block at all cost.

The Signature Room at Joh Hancock is the BEST - one drink minimum, cheapest drink is $5, never a line or wait. Sears/Willis is about 2 hour wait and $18 with no booze.

I look forward to your trip report with all the hints for me - A dude that lives in Chicago!

Sears/Willis is about 2 hour wait and $18 with no booze.

Really? What time of day / day / year are you going to the towers?

On my July visit there were minimal queues (5 mins) at Sears (10.30 AM Friday) and NO queue at the Hancock (2.00 PM Tuesday)

What on earth am I doing wrong to be granted imediate admission ? ) )

[mcmbenjamin]

haha - I have taken folks visiting me here in Chicago there on Sunday afternoons and midweek midday. I guess I have odd luck. Also was in the summer time.