Chicago help

First ever visit to Chicago this summer and would value some advice. Have managed to grab 4 reward flights (UC out to ORD and PE back from JFK) so feeling pretty pleased.

We will have a weekend in Chicago before visiting friends in Canada.

Best family hotels? Ideally with an outdoor pool as I gather it gets hot in August.

Things to do with limited time?

..and the old plane question, is it always a 343 on this route? Flew one to LAX in April and wasn't offered a tablet on the outbound so wonder whether I should get the kids to load up their iPads?

Advice much appreciated thanks.

Looking at the first couple of weeks of this years schedule it has been the A340-300's African Queen (G-VELD) Molly (G-VFAR) and Rainbow Lady (G-VSUN) alternating. Only Rainbow Lady AFAIK has the V-Port system. So the IPads might not be a bad idea.

I'm not too sure about the chances of an outdoor swimming pool in Chicago (like looking for an outdoor pool in NYC) but when we last went we stayed at Trump Towers and they had an indoor pool. I think that's the best you can expect, at least within the city.

We stayed in the Trump Towers which was incredible and didn't break the bank thanks to a good priceline deal. In terms of things to do, here are some things we got upto:

-Willis (formerly Sears) Tower: You can go to the top floor and step out onto a glass ledge with great views of the city

-Millenium Park and 'The Bean'
-Magnificent Mile Shopping
-Drive past Obama's house (before he was president)
-Navy pier - lots to do
-River cruise

Resaurant recommendation: Gibsons - seafood & grill

Should be enough for a few days! I hop you love Chicago as much as we did.

P.S. Also flew back from LAX in April on an a340-300 with the old IFE. I did have my iPad stocked up in case but as it was a night flight put up with the old IFE, watched a film and went to bed. But for a day flight I would come prepared with iPad .etc although IMHO the IFE is bearable.

The Doubletree on the magnificent mile has a rooftop pool, check with the hotel though as it was closed for refurb.

I was at a conference last year and wanted to see the money museum at the Federal Reserve, it was great and at the end of the free guided tour you get a bag of shredded dollars ($300), not sure how long it would take to stick it all together though.

As others advise get your iPads loaded

Thanks

I stayed at the Omni last May, not sure if it had a pool or not, I cant recall the price but remember thinking it was pretty good value.

oldboy

[mitchja]

I've stayed at the Essex Inn (http://www.essexinn.com) a few times which is good value for money as has an indoor pool area.

Virgin Holidays usually have some good deals at this hotel (you can book accom. only with them.

It's close to Millennium Park/ The Cloud Gate sculpture (the big jellybean) and the Aquarium (http://www.sheddaquarium.org) is also within walking distance though it's quite a walk from the Golden Mile/main shopping area.

I was at a conference last year and wanted to see the money museum at the Federal Reserve, it was great and at the end of the free guided tour you get a bag of shredded dollars ($300), not sure how long it would take to stick it all together though.

+1 for that tour. A bit of a hidden gem, and when we went you could get a free picture of yourself with a case containing...(adopts Dr Evil voice)...ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

That's really helpful everyone thanks.
Will post a trip report in due course.

Chicago is one of my favourite cities; not least because of its bars and restaurants.

Check out the TimeOut Chicago Restaurant Guide for excellent, and independent, reviews.

Outdoor hotel pools are uncommon due to the, somewhat, variable weather. The hotels with outdoor pools are:

theWit
Radisson Blu
Best Western Grant Park
Doubletree by Hilton

Hotels with indoor pools adjacent to outdoor sundecks:

The Peninsula
Essex Inn
W Hotel
Hilton Chicago
Hotel Palomar
Hyatt McCormick Place

Chicago events (I was looking for Fleet Week; the Blue Angels in Chicago are extraordinary, with the sound of their engines reverberating off the high rises):

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/de ... dates.html

See the Chicago Air Show listing for August 16 & 17th

Go to Gino's East Pizza for a real Chicago style pizza. It's amazing!!