Chicago in August with wife and kids

Quote from tangerinemixer : 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.

I have been to Paris 5 times in the past 12 years. I lived outside London. My toothbrush has traveled more than you.

I live in WI and have stayed in DT Chicago a dozen times in the last 4 years. Its a great city with a lot to do and a great weekend getaway for me and mine. But you are not provided any space when you book even a NICE hotel downtown. And you will be gutted by the parking rates and necessary upgrades (second bed for the kids is NOT standard- in DT Chicago you will get a single FULL bed, everything else is an upgrade). If you are staying for a week I think you would be better off getting a place on VRBO or the like. That would give you a lot more space and may even include parking. You should also be able to avoid the draconian 16.4% hotel taxes. Thats a slick deal.

Quote from tangerinemixer : 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.

Sorry but that area I wouldn't recommend any kind of public transport...unless it's drastically changed in the past 5 years.

Don't miss Hot Doug's!!! The absolute BEST hot dogs on the planet!

And whatever you do do not even look at the phone on the desk in your room they charge you for even thinking about using it.

Kind of late to the thread but if OP really wants a casino and doesn't mind driving check out the Four Winds in New Buffalo, MI. Really reasonably priced drinks, they have a little kiddie game area, a nice hotel, and childcare. Its about a 90 minute drive from the city so its a little far out but IMHO worth the drive. http://www.fourwindscasino.com/

Quote from justa56 : Sorry but that area I wouldn't recommend any kind of public transport...unless it's drastically changed in the past 5 years.

It's fine. The bus drops you off directly at the front door of the museum.

You people don't get out much. I'd hate to see what happens when you see a black person in your neighborhood.

Quote from Melissaki5 : Kind of late to the thread but if OP really wants a casino and doesn't mind driving check out the Four Winds in New Buffalo, MI. Really reasonably priced drinks, they have a little kiddie game area, a nice hotel, and childcare. Its about a 90 minute drive from the city so its a little far out but IMHO worth the drive. http://www.fourwindscasino.com/

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Quote from tangerinemixer : It's fine. The bus drops you off directly at the front door of the museum. You people don't get out much. I'd hate to see what happens when you see a black person in your neighborhood.

Lol, I am not really used public transportation but I guess its a necessary evil when visiting larger metropolitan areas. I'm leaning more and more towards not renting a car.