Travling to Chicago with a toddler for a week, areas to live stay in? (North Chicago: to rent, how much)

[delmommy]

Hi All,
We would be travaling to Chicago with out 20 MO in July. I wanted to ask you about (1) Weather, would it be nice or too hot ?
(2) Place we can stay in. We are mostly planning to be around attractions like Shedds, Museum, Lakeshore drive, Navy Pier etc. And we would also like to come abck to the hotel for my son's afternoon naps. So we should stay close to the attractions. Which places should I look at ? North Chicago ? South ? West ? Union park ? Near University ?
Any help is appreciated !

Thanks !!

[chet everett]

The weather in the third week of July tends to be near our hottest and most humid -- it has literally killed people: The 1995 Heat Wave in Chicago, Illinois State Climatologist Office, Illinois State Water Survey, U of I

That said, that was an unusual event and air conditioning is common at all attractions in Chicago and most public transportation.

As far as where you want to stay for those attractions, the logical choices are the tourist / convention oriented hotels from along Michigan Ave and point east. These are generally considered "downtown" or "city center" and you would be able to walk to Grant Park, Navy Pier, Lakefront Museum Campus( which included the the Shedd Aquarium).

Costs are high, but there are probably some online discounts. With a child young enough to nap you probably want to stick with a major hotel, as they generally have the greatest ability to help you if you need a quieter room or special help.

Hyatt and Hilton both have excellent choices.

[linicx]

I would not do it unless I knew how much 100+ degree weather is too much for my toddler, and quickly my toddler dehydrates? Chicago in July can feel like a sauna to adults.

By the time your child is six he will be old enough to enjoy Chicago's Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Great Ape House, Brookfield Zoo. Buckingham Fountain. the Museum of Science and Industry, Lake Michigan and other attractions. The advantage is by then you will know whether or not your child can tolerate sauna type summers.

If it was my toddler I would head for the mountains or ocean until he was older.

[knitgirl]

Originally Posted by linicx

I would not do it unless I knew how much 100+ degree weather is too much for my toddler, and quickly my toddler dehydrates? Chicago in July can feel like a sauna to adults.

By the time your child is six he will be old enough to enjoy Chicago's Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Great Ape House, Brookfield Zoo. Buckingham Fountain. the Museum of Science and Industry, Lake Michigan and other attractions. The advantage is by then you will know whether or not your child can tolerate sauna type summers.

If it was my toddler I would head for the mountains or ocean until he was older.

Yeah, toddlers just don't survive our weather. Are you serious? If it's hot, you do less.

[coneflower]

Pretty much if you stay anywhere that you can easily get on metra, you'll be okay. I am not as familiar with the details of downtown since I don't know the details of the loop, but a central location might be nice.

I'd say bring a simple-to-fold umbrella stroller and you can just pop on and off the trains and bus rather easily, and a sippie cup with a bunch of icewater in it. (Unless you're using a sling or backcarrier for the little one! That'd probably be easier, but I've always just used a stroller.) A lot of the attractions are inside anyhow, and if you want to go to the zoo, there's an indoor nature museum right next to it that you could hit in the hotter hours of the day.

My little ones really liked a lot of the things at Navy Peir too.

[jz28]

Planning a trip to Chicago with a 15,12 & 2 year old..thinking about bringing a stroller...just hate lugging things around...good tips. Always good to look for suggestions.

[surlycue]

Bring a cheap and light umbrella stroller ($15 max), use it here and then throw it away at the airport before your flight leaves.

[Avengerfire]

Wow that is pretty environmentally friendly.

How about look into renting a stroller?

Baby's Away

[surlycue]

Say that when you have a screaming 30 lb toddler to lug with you everywhere.

Besides, if you take it to lost and found an airport employee will eventually inherit it after the waiting period.

[Avengerfire]

If women cant handle a screaming 30lb toddler they need to keep their legs closed and men to keep their pricks in their pants.