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Old 08-21-2007, 01:28 AM
 
Location: Vegas Baby
542 posts, read 1,928,219 times
Reputation: 239

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Hello all

I am thinking of planning a weekend trip to Chicago for my daughters 10th birthday. This trip will take place in mid October. Does anyone have any suggestion on events or things to do around that time? In addition to moderate priced hotels. We will be coming into Union Station and won't be driving. Neither of us have been to Chicago before.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks
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Old 08-21-2007, 07:47 AM
 
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If you've got a kid, museums are a good bet. The Art Institute (free on either Thurs or Fri afternoons, cant remember), Shedd Aquarium, Musuem of Science and Industry (great for kids), The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium...all excellent. The Field, Shedd, and Adler are all on whats known as the Museum Campus, near downtown and Soldier Field (all walkable to each other). Science and Industry is located further south in Hyde Park, near the University of Chicago. Skip Navy Pier, its a waste of time and money. Do an architectural boat tour down the river if the weathers still decent. Go to the top of either the Sears or Hancock (I'd usually rec the Hancock b/c the views are better and you can go to the bar/lounge on the 95th floor for free, instead of paying $11 to go to the standard observatory. they'll let kids up as long as they're accompanied by an adult, and its cheaper to just buy a couple drinks and relax at a table by the window). Plan ahead and see if theres any plays you mite like to see. The Garfield Park Conservatory (which is free), and the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe are great. Millennium Park is excellent (next to Art Institute). Those are the typical tourist things. Of course, there are thousands of other things to see and do if you desire. The only other thing I would recommend is to not limit yourself to downtown/ the Loop. Try to get out and explore the neighborhoods, because thats what the city is known for.


If you're looking for stuff to do, check out both
Centerstage Chicago : Chicago music, theatre, bars, film, dancing, lodging, hotels, food, restaurants, clubs, listings, events, art galleries, travel and tourism, chicago nightlife, nightclubs, bars, theatre, theaters, chiacgo, live music, festivals,
Chicago restaurants, clubs, bars, entertainment and nightlife

Heres links to what I mentioned
Chicago Botanic Garden
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
Welcome to The Field Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago: Home:
Welcome to The Museum of Science and Industry
Shedd Aquarium | Home
Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Millennium Park
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Old 08-21-2007, 08:47 AM
 
Location: Chicago
2,467 posts, read 12,244,035 times
Reputation: 897
Also check out Metromix. A fun place to eat would be Dave and Busters. There is one downtown. Dave & Buster's :: Home Page The Chicago/ gold coast is your closest one. As for coming into Union Station, there are plenty of cabs always, as well as public transportation options. You can always go to Chicago Transit Authority | 1-888-YOURCTA and enter your starting and ending destination to figure out how to get places by public transportation.

I agree with all of the above advice, except for skipping Navy Pier. It is free to go and walk around, so it isn't a waste of money. If you haven't been to Chicago, you should go. There is also a children's museum at Navy Pier that is kinda cool. Navy Pier - Chicago Children's Museum You could take a boat ride from there or something as well.
As far as hotels, try using priceline to name your price. You can often find good deals. Also, the best western downtown is generally moderately priced (but it depends on the weekend).
Lastly, if she's into American Girl dolls, don't forget the big store downtown (I hate the place, but my cousin always drags me when she's in town). If she's into that, you can have tea there and there are shows (which is a waste of money, but hey...)
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Old 08-21-2007, 09:07 AM
 
2,329 posts, read 6,631,507 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98 View Post
A fun place to eat would be Dave and Busters.
No offense, but why come all the way to Chicago just to eat at a Dave and Busters? Mite as well hit up the rainforest cafe and rock n roll mcdonalds while you're at it
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Old 08-21-2007, 10:53 PM
 
Location: Chicago
2,467 posts, read 12,244,035 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by via chicago View Post
No offense, but why come all the way to Chicago just to eat at a Dave and Busters? Mite as well hit up the rainforest cafe and rock n roll mcdonalds while you're at it
Because she's 10....... a 10 year old would like Dave and Busters. Would I make that suggestions for an adult? No. But, a 10 year old would also probably find rock n roll mcdonalds and rainforest cafe a lot of fun too. You have to think about who are you suggesting these things for.

Last edited by jessiegirl_98; 08-21-2007 at 10:54 PM.. Reason: misspelling
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Old 08-21-2007, 11:12 PM
 
Location: Chicago
4,688 posts, read 10,102,964 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98 View Post
Because she's 10....... a 10 year old would like Dave and Busters. Would I make that suggestions for an adult? No. But, a 10 year old would also probably find rock n roll mcdonalds and rainforest cafe a lot of fun too. You have to think about who are you suggesting these things for.
Yes, but you're making the mistake of thinking this 10 year old is like most 10 year olds. This 10 year old has already captured the hipster persona and cannot enjoy a place where every other tourist goes because every other tourist goes there.

And she drinks PBR out of the can.
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Old 08-21-2007, 11:38 PM
 
2,141 posts, read 7,864,315 times
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For hotel research visit Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor. It's the best site for travel research and includes unbiased reviews from other fellow travelers and includes hotel photos provided by both the hotels and hotel guests. You can check pricing on the same site.
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Old 08-22-2007, 07:27 AM
 
2,329 posts, read 6,631,507 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98 View Post
Because she's 10....... a 10 year old would like Dave and Busters. Would I make that suggestions for an adult? No. But, a 10 year old would also probably find rock n roll mcdonalds and rainforest cafe a lot of fun too. You have to think about who are you suggesting these things for.

First off, I wouldn't recommenced Dave and Busters for a 10 year old to begin with. Its essentially an adult arcade, pool hall, and bar.

Secondly, it would be a lot easier to go to the local Chuck E Cheese back at home and save the hundreds of dollars on a trip...i think you're missing the point. If you come all the way across the country to go somewhere unique, why would you spend that trip going to every single place in the city that isnt unique? Its a waste of time and money. But hey, if you want to travel somewhere so you can do all the same things you can do back at home, just in another setting, more power to you. But I think you're selling 10 year olds short. I made plenty of recommendations that a kid would have a blast at and walk away with a good appreciation for the city they just visited.
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Old 08-22-2007, 07:46 AM
 
2,329 posts, read 6,631,507 times
Reputation: 1811
Quote:
I agree with all of the above advice, except for skipping Navy Pier. It is free to go and walk around, so it isn't a waste of money.
Fair enough. And I did forget the Childrens Museum is there, which would probably be worthwhile. Although I do believe that is moving to Grant Park in the not too far future.


Some other ideas:

Chicago Children's Theatre - | Home
Welcome to Lincoln Park Zoo
Welcome to Brookfield Zoo
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Old 08-22-2007, 09:03 AM
 
Location: Chicago
2,467 posts, read 12,244,035 times
Reputation: 897
Quote:
Originally Posted by via chicago View Post
First off, I wouldn't recommenced Dave and Busters for a 10 year old to begin with. Its essentially an adult arcade, pool hall, and bar.

Secondly, it would be a lot easier to go to the local Chuck E Cheese back at home and save the hundreds of dollars on a trip...i think you're missing the point. If you come all the way across the country to go somewhere unique, why would you spend that trip going to every single place in the city that isnt unique? Its a waste of time and money. But hey, if you want to travel somewhere so you can do all the same things you can do back at home, just in another setting, more power to you. But I think you're selling 10 year olds short. I made plenty of recommendations that a kid would have a blast at and walk away with a good appreciation for the city they just visited.
I'm not saying they shouldn't go to any place that any of us suggested, mearly giving options so that they can check out places and plan a trip. Dave n Busters can be fun for kids (all of my family loves going there...teens and preteens) for dinner/games after going to museums, parks, etc. There is nothing wrong with that. (and we don't have a local chuck e cheese). So, you are saying that they would plan a trip around dave n busters, that's a bit crazy, but why not give the person planning the trip suggestions, they can look at sites and pick what their daughter might like to do from the suggestions?
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