Chicago in August with wife and kids

Quote from bta15 : Hello, I am looking to take my wife and 2 kids (5 yo & 1yo) on vacation in August. I am looking to fly direct from my hometown (Anchorage AK) to the destination as it is generally easier then having layovers/connections with young kids. Over the last few years we have kind of gotten into a rut of going to So Cal/LV/Hawaii. I was thinking Chicago might be a cool option. I see they have cool attractions for kids (Navy Pier, Zoo, Childrens Museum, Air and Space Museum). I have a couple questions for locals and frequent visitors: -My kids both love to swim, any recommendations for downtown hotels that might have nice outdoor pools? Is August a good time for this? - Are any of the amusement parks in the greater area better than others? -I like to spend time in the casinos during my vacations...Do any of the casinos in the area have decent hotel and family accomodations? Any opinions/suggestions on Chicago or any other possible vacation destination would be great. Thanks.

I live in Chicago, but I don't have kids. I will try to help the best I can.

I don't know about downtown hotels with pools. I suspect that you aren't going to find many. There is, however, one of the biggest lakes in the world right at your doorstep. Oak Street Beach is a fun place in the summer, even with kids in tow. It's the closest thing the midwest will ever have to a real beach.

To which amusement parks are you referring? Six Flags? Gurnee is REALLY far, at least 75-90 minutes and can be much worse with summer traffic. IMO, it's not worth vacationing in Chicago and going to Gurnee unless you're going to be here for more than a week. Renting/parking a car is expensive in Chicago during the summer. Very much so.

To which casinos are you referring? In the city, there are no casinos. The closest casino is Rivers casino in Rosemont. Not child friendly at all. No attached hotels. The casino I frequent the most is in Indiana about 45 minutes - an hour from the city. Again, not child friendly.

If you're going to do a Chicago vacation, you should really focus on Chicago as a city meaning things that are within a 606-- zipcode. Things I'd recommend for a family are:

Lincoln Park Zoo
Navy Pier
Shedd Aquarium
Oak Street Beach
top of the Hancock Building
boat tour given by CAF
Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
baseball game at Wrigley Field or US Cellular Field

If the kids really want a pool, you'd be better off in Vegas because you just won't find that kind of resort like/fun pool here. If anything, you'll find a tiny pool inside the basement of some downtown hotel.

Quote from bta15 : Hello, I am looking to take my wife and 2 kids (5 yo & 1yo) on vacation in August. I am looking to fly direct from my hometown (Anchorage AK) to the destination as it is generally easier then having layovers/connections with young kids. Over the last few years we have kind of gotten into a rut of going to So Cal/LV/Hawaii. I was thinking Chicago might be a cool option. I see they have cool attractions for kids (Navy Pier, Zoo, Childrens Museum, Air and Space Museum). I have a couple questions for locals and frequent visitors: -My kids both love to swim, any recommendations for downtown hotels that might have nice outdoor pools? Is August a good time for this? - Are any of the amusement parks in the greater area better than others? -I like to spend time in the casinos during my vacations...Do any of the casinos in the area have decent hotel and family accomodations? Any opinions/suggestions on Chicago or any other possible vacation destination would be great. Thanks.

We are from the midwest and we like to stay at Marriott on the mile or Sheraton ..Renaissance is not bad but a hike from the Mile stores...Six Flags is pretty far from downtown and Casinos are probably an hr or more away depending on Dan Ryan traffic..but it is my fav city and there is always lots for kids and adults to do together..Enjoy..

There are hotels in Chicago with outdoor pools...we just stayed at one this past March - I believe it was a Hilton property, but I can check on that. It had a rooftop outdoor pool.

Chicago is a lot of fun with kids...my kids are older (teens) but we've taken them to Chicago many times over the years. It never gets old (at least for us). Lots to do depending on your interests. The zoo is free...so that's always good. We like the aquarium, the Natural History Museum, Art Museum (contemporary art), the parks etc

Hope you have a great trip!

The AIC (Art Institute of Chicago)
Shedd Aquariam
Field Museum
Millenium Park (especially for kids)

Are must see.

Willis Tower/Sears Tower is the worst tourist trap I've ever been to and I travel a lot. I asked when a good time to go would be and went then. I asked how long the line was and was told 45 min. I waited 45 min and rather than the elevator going up it went down to another waiting room. I waited there for an hour at which point they tried to sell me a "skip the line" ticket. Pay twice as much and I don't have to wait in line any more. I figured I had already waited 2X+ as long as I was told and it couldn't be much longer. Another 2 hours later I finally got to the top. 3 hours and 45 minutes later.

Be careful, Lollapalooza is the first weekend and there are no hotels anywhere near DT.

DT Chicago hotels are MUCH smaller than you can imagine. Even the pricy ones. Seek out some hotels on the El farther out. The El is a fun trip in. It goes right by Wrigley and you can see the City on the way in.

Quote from HurricaneKid : The AIC (Art Institute of Chicago) Shedd Aquariam Field Museum Millenium Park (especially for kids) Are must see. Willis Tower/Sears Tower is the worst tourist trap I've ever been to and I travel a lot. I asked when a good time to go would be and went then. I asked how long the line was and was told 45 min. I waited 45 min and rather than the elevator going up it went down to another waiting room. I waited there for an hour at which point they tried to sell me a "skip the line" ticket. Pay twice as much and I don't have to wait in line any more. I figured I had already waited 2X+ as long as I was told and it couldn't be much longer. Another 2 hours later I finally got to the top. 3 hours and 45 minutes later. Be careful, Lollapalooza is the first weekend and there are no hotels anywhere near DT. DT Chicago hotels are MUCH smaller than you can imagine. Even the pricy ones. Seek out some hotels on the El farther out. The El is a fun trip in. It goes right by Wrigley and you can see the City on the way in.

I would NOT recommend staying anywhere except downtown, especially with kids in tow. The only places with hotels that are accessible via El are Rosemont and Evanston. In Rosemont, you'll still have a walk to the El with kids. The blue line is about 45-60 minutes into the city. In Evanston, the ride is is at least an hour. Neither Rosemont or Evanston offer city experiences in any way, shape or form. Also, the El really isn't fun in the summer time during rush hour or when there's a Cubs or Sox game. I think people who have traveled are used to Chicago hotels being small though I don't think they are small at all. They are larger than NYC hotel rooms and MUCH larger than European hotel rooms. If you really want to see Wrigley Field, just take the El from downtown and get off at that stop. Tickets will be dirt cheap because I am sure the Cubs will continue to suck for the remainder of the season.

It sounds like there is plenty to do and thats kind of what I was worried about. I'm sure I can manage a small hotel.

I have actually been to Chicago once, but I was there to watch basketball in March and didnt really get out to see any sites, actually went to Hancock Bldg and got a drink in the bar near the top.

The casino I was referring to was the Horseshoe but when I looked in google earth it didnt look like it had a hotel. If none have a decent hotel attached/nearby thats fine, maybe I will just drive out late at night when traffic is lighter (I do this when I'm in LA/San Diego).

Thanks for the advice, it sounds like if we settle on chicago it will be fun.

Quote from bta15 : It sounds like there is plenty to do and thats kind of what I was worried about. I'm sure I can manage a small hotel. I have actually been to Chicago once, but I was there to watch basketball in March and didnt really get out to see any sites, actually went to Hancock Bldg and got a drink in the bar near the top. The casino I was referring to was the Horseshoe but when I looked in google earth it didnt look like it had a hotel. If none have a decent hotel attached/nearby thats fine, maybe I will just drive out late at night when traffic is lighter (I do this when I'm in LA/San Diego). Thanks for the advice, it sounds like if we settle on chicago it will be fun.

Trust me. You do NOT want to stay at or anywhere near the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana. That area is very ghetto. There is literally nothing to do there except go to the casino. If you were interested in going at night, your best bet would be taking the blue line to Rivers Casino. Renting a car is a wasteful pain in the ass in the city unless, of course, you enjoy paying $40 per day for parking.

http://www.citypass.com/chicago

This is for the major attractions in Chicago. Will save you a ton of money!

http://www.transitchicago.com/tra...cards.aspx

Also this if you are not renting a car.

Museum of Science and Industry is awesome...only problem with that one is the distance and getting there. The only way I would say to do it is for one day rent a car...during the day take the family to that museum (get there at opening...the place really is awesome) then at night, do your trip to the casino.

I have to agree with the above, otherwise renting a car if your staying downtown is not wise...but for the one day you can kill 2 birds with one stone...and HIGHLY suggest you fill up that car with gas in Indiana if that is where you go...a whole ton cheaper.

I'd also suggest checking out the Entertainment Book for the Chicago one, I think it might be worth it for you if you're going to be there for a week.

Quote from tangerinemixer : I would NOT recommend staying anywhere except downtown, especially with kids in tow. The only places with hotels that are accessible via El are Rosemont and Evanston. In Rosemont, you'll still have a walk to the El with kids. The blue line is about 45-60 minutes into the city. In Evanston, the ride is is at least an hour. Neither Rosemont or Evanston offer city experiences in any way, shape or form. Also, the El really isn't fun in the summer time during rush hour or when there's a Cubs or Sox game. I think people who have traveled are used to Chicago hotels being small though I don't think they are small at all. They are larger than NYC hotel rooms and MUCH larger than European hotel rooms. If you really want to see Wrigley Field, just take the El from downtown and get off at that stop. Tickets will be dirt cheap because I am sure the Cubs will continue to suck for the remainder of the season.

We will agree to disagree. I need some space and I have never stayed at anything less than a 4Star hotel in Chicago and none of them were as spacious as a closet. I have never had such issues in Europe. If you aren't getting at least two rooms there is just no way to stay DT with kids. And if you are driving there this is doubled as they will all charge you ~$50/nt for parking.

If you have a local science museum that offers a membership to the Association of Science & Technology Centers. See reciprocal list here
http://www.astc.org/members/passlist.htm

We pay $85/year for the membership to the St .Louis Science Center (we visit 2X year) for family of 4and we can use our St Louis membership at the Adler Planetarium, the Science & Industry & Field Museums to get in FREE at all three- it would probably cost you that much to get your whole family into just 1 of those places.

Children's museum on Navy pier is free on Thursdays evenings and lincoln park zoo is always free.

I second staying downtown, luckily our regional office is just off michigan ave, so we stay in that area. Lots of great restaurants too - Buda di Beppo, Rainforest cafe, rock bottom, etc. PM me if you have more questions!

Quote from HurricaneKid : We will agree to disagree. I need some space and I have never stayed at anything less than a 4Star hotel in Chicago and none of them were as spacious as a closet. I have never had such issues in Europe. If you aren't getting at least two rooms there is just no way to stay DT with kids. And if you are driving there this is doubled as they will all charge you ~$50/nt for parking.

eye roll....there are thousands of families who visit Chicago every single year. They stay in the same room and are just fine. You have not traveled in Europe. If you have, you'd know that European hotel rooms, particularly those in Germany, Paris and London are very, very small. OP - don't let this jackass provide incorrect information. You'll be fine. And if you're really concerned about space, stay at Embassy Suites. There are two. Both locations are great.

Quote from justa56 : http://www.citypass.com/chicago This is for the major attractions in Chicago. Will save you a ton of money! http://www.transitchicago.com/tra...cards.aspx Also this if you are not renting a car. Museum of Science and Industry is awesome...only problem with that one is the distance and getting there. The only way I would say to do it is for one day rent a car...during the day take the family to that museum (get there at opening...the place really is awesome) then at night, do your trip to the casino. I have to agree with the above, otherwise renting a car if your staying downtown is not wise...but for the one day you can kill 2 birds with one stone...and HIGHLY suggest you fill up that car with gas in Indiana if that is where you go...a whole ton cheaper. I'd also suggest checking out the Entertainment Book for the Chicago one, I think it might be worth it for you if you're going to be there for a week.

No need to rent a car for Museum of Science and Industry. The #10 bus runs every single day with frequent service. There are stops from Chestnut all the way down to Columbus Drive. From there, it runs express to the Museum. It drops off directly in front of the museum.

I live in the Chicago Suburbs. I take my two girls downtown often, but there is a lot of good stuff to do in the suburbs so we're not down there all the time. Our main reason to go downtown would be to go to the museums. You can spend a whole day in each of the museums. They are great. With young kids I would recommend Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of science and industry and Field Museum. Planetarium is okay, but kind of over little kids heads. Skip the Art Institute until they are older- at least 8. Navy Pier is not my favorite place, but it's a great tourist attraction. :-) Millenium Park and the bean are neat for a morning visit too.

Take the water taxi at some point. You're kids will love it! We take it from the Madison/Oglvie Train Station north to Michigan and get off to walk to the Rain Forest Cafe (maybe 5 blocks).

My cousin in law is a retired Navy officer and he navigates one of the boats on the Architectural tour. That's great for adults, but my kids just got a kick out of the boat ride too.

I have stayed downtown at three hotels with pools- Hilton Towers on Michigan (you have to pay a daily rate to access the indoor pool), Embassy suites north of the river (this was with young kids so they had their room and we had ours) and the Marriott on Michigan which had a nice indoor pool, but it was on the top floor with a lot of glass to the sky.

I would suggest getting to know the bus and the el transportation systems since chicago is pretty spread out. Parking prices have sky rocketed over the past couple years and it's just not worth renting a car to drive around.

It's going to be HOT HOT HOT in August!!!!!

Okay... I said more than I thought I was going to say.

Have a great trip!