visiting U of C area (Chicago, Industry: rent, transfer, neighborhood)

[nbourbaki]

Hi all,

I will be staying this weekend on the U of C campus. My wife has a conference there, and I will tag along with two little kids.

Any suggestions of things to do / eat in Hyde Park area? Things to avoid? How easy is it to downtown? Possible without a car?

Anything going on this weekend in particular I should not miss?

I have been to Chicago many many times, just not spent much time in Hyde Park.

Many thanks,

[Janinele]

depending on how old your kids are, but the Museum of Science and Industry is very close. It is also easy to get to downtown via El and Metra.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by nbourbaki

Hi all,

I will be staying this weekend on the U of C campus. My wife has a conference there, and I will tag along with two little kids.

Any suggestions of things to do / eat in Hyde Park area? Things to avoid? How easy is it to downtown? Possible without a car?

The DuSable and Oriental Museums are both on campus.

As for the Loop, you are about 15 minutes south by bus.

[mycrows]

Originally Posted by Janinele

It is also easy to get to downtown via El and Metra.

Yeah, but if someone I knew was visiting from out of town I would suggest taking the #6 bus. It's fast, because it runs on LSD from 47th to Roosevelt, and since it runs all day long, you won't have to look at the Metra schedule, you can just leave on the spur of the moment. It's also definitely faster than the red or green line, which require you to take a bus westward from Hyde Park and then transfer. If you don't mind the bus (and your kids aren't aching to ride the train) I'd definitely recommend it. It stops in the eastern part of Hyde Park, along Stony Island and Hyde Park Blvd.

There are some decent restaurants, most of the good ones are along 53rd, but a few are on 55th and 57th. As for stuff to do, the Museum of Science and Industry is great for kids, and if it's a nice day you could walk around the campus or on the lake shore.

[ajolotl]

In addition to nice tourist outings, I would do some local slice-of-life things that give a feel for what it's like to live there. Bring the kids to Bixler Playlot across from the Medici -- sip a medici coffee while they stumble around and hook into an interesting conversation with some locals. Bixler is the center of the kid universe. Then stroll east on 57th to Istria Cafe and get a few homemade gelatos (Kidstria size for the kids). If you can get away for a night I recommend a play at the Court Theater or a concert in Rockefeller Chapel. Go to the University online calendar to see who is performing while you're here. Should also take the metra to millenium park, visit Powells books, bring the kids the "The Point" for a picnic (park on the lake), rent bikes and bike up lakeshore drive. Be sure to eat at the medici. Food is ok but ambiance is excellent. The Valois is as far as you get from fancy but gives a sense of the local scene, is cheap, and very kid friendly. You can also bring the kids to the family resource center in the beautiful Ida Noyes Hall -- definitely worth a trip. Just some ideas. I can generate more if you're interested. It's a great family neighborhood -- hard to imagine a better one for me.

[ajolotl]

One other idea -- go the the Smart Museum (modern art) on 56th and Greenwood, get a few espressos, and sit in the courtyard while the kids stumble up and down the grassy mound. It is enclosed and safe, also a beautiful setting.

Also, there is family swim at Ratner Gym. The pool is absolutely top notch and visitors should get gym guest passes. A good way to kill some of the kids' energy. Also, check out the Hyde Park Art Center -- maybe put the kids in a class (very cheap) or take one with them. There is an excellent cafe attached where you can relax while still being in the same building (unless they are too young).

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by nbourbaki

Hi all,

I will be staying this weekend on the U of C campus. My wife has a conference there, and I will tag along with two little kids.

Any suggestions of things to do / eat in Hyde Park area?

Kids love the museum of Science and Industry. Try eating lunch at the upscale bowling alley at 55th and Greenwood. Visit the Obama's house.

Originally Posted by nbourbaki

Things to avoid?

Avoid preconceptions.

Originally Posted by nbourbaki

How easy is it to downtown? Possible without a car?

Easy on the bus from downtown or the Metra. But, with kids, a cab won't be a quantum difference.

Originally Posted by nbourbaki

Anything going on this weekend in particular I should not miss?

Check page 6 in the local paper:

Hyde Park Herald, Chicago's oldest Community Newspaper, since 1882, also featuring The Lakefront Outlook (http://www.hpherald.com/hpindex.html - broken link)