Chicago-Easter weekend 2008 (Madison: spring break, coupons, hotels)

[jkontsas]

My husband and I are planning to take my 11 year old son to Chicago for the 1st time Easter weekend 2008. We will have 3 days to experience this amazing city. Any suggestions on places to visit, shop, and dine out? I would love to find coupons for these activities since we are on a budget. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Windy City John]

here you go

Navy Pier
Natural History Museum
Modern Museum of Art
Shed Aquarium
Nike Store
Apple Store
Top of the Hancock Center
Dave & Busters
ESPN ZONE
Cubs game
Sox Game
Bulls Game
BlackHawks Game
Fire Game
Michigan Avenue
Ford Theater
Blue Man Group

[Windy City John]

check out price line for hotels-- 120-150 gets you a decent hotel that would normally run 180+

check out AAA and illinois and chicago official travel websites--

[cjkw3223]

Originally Posted by Windy City John

check out price line for hotels-- 120-150 gets you a decent hotel that would normally run 180+

check out AAA and illinois and chicago official travel websites--

We will be in Chicago for Spring Break that same week. We are staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront. The rates are much less than the Embassy Suites Downtown and they are both rated 5 Star hotels. If anyone has feedback on the Lake view location, it would be appreciated.

[dragoro]

Ya should be fine in lakeview and its a short distance from downtown on the L.

[cjkw3223]

We have tickets to Oprah too....have to be there early a.m.....is the L the best transportation for that as well or would a cab be safer/more convenient? And, while we are on the subject, we have Bulls tickets.....same question. Thanks so much!

[dragoro]

For oprah a cab would be best, will make it easier on ya since ya don't know the city. For the bulls game you'll do ok with the L.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by dragoro

For oprah a cab would be best, will make it easier on ya since ya don't know the city. For the bulls game you'll do ok with the L.

You can do a trip planner at Chicago Transit Authority | 1-888-YOURCTA for your public transpo needs. I would actually probably not take the el to the bulls game. The neighborhood is improving, but it's not great.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by cjkw3223

We have tickets to Oprah too....have to be there early a.m.....is the L the best transportation for that as well or would a cab be safer/more convenient? And, while we are on the subject, we have Bulls tickets.....same question. Thanks so much!

A taxi should cost around $10-15 each way for Oprah and for the United Center.

It would be a good idea to buy Vistors Passes for unlimited CTA usage.This is your best bet if you are going to use the CTA often. Taxi charges can add up quickly.


3-Day Visitor Pass for $12 each person

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by cjkw3223

We will be in Chicago for Spring Break that same week. We are staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront. The rates are much less than the Embassy Suites Downtown and they are both rated 5 Star hotels. If anyone has feedback on the Lake view location, it would be appreciated.

The easiest way to get there via public transit would be via bus, as neither your hotel nor the United Center/Oprah's studios are all that conveniently accessible to an el stop.

However, the #20 Madison bus stops right in front of the UC, and a block south of Oprah's studios. But in order to access that, you take the 124 Bus to Madison/Wabash and then wait for the #20 bus. If that sounds too confusing, just cab it. Like avengerfire said, the cab price won't kill you (although i'd say you're probably looking more like 20 bucks).