Yet another trip planning thread. Help me out Chicagobros...

[nvanprooyen]

I'm going to be coming up there for sort of a mini vacation for a few days in the city, before heading downstate to see my family. Arriving on Sep 2 (Wed) and leaving Chicago on Sep 4th in the morning. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Wed

- Arrive mid morning Wed. Drop bags off at hotel (Radisson Blu by the river).
- Grab lunch somewhere close. Can't really remember what's right around there.
- Boat architectural tour mid afternoon.
- Dinner. Again, suggestions....but I kind of want to satisfy my Lou Malnati's craving. I think the one on Wells is only like a 15 minute walk or so?

Thur

- Breakfast somewhere
- Walking around Grant / Millennium park. Possibly riverwalk. Maybe Navy Pier. Maybe walk up Michigan for some shopping etc.
- Debating between Field, Art Institute (not sure my 7 year old would dig that), Science and Industry, Adler, Shedd etc. It's been forever since I've been to any of those places, so I'm not sure how any of those things are now..
- Late lunch / early dinner somewhere
- Watch the Bears trot out 3rd stringers in the 4th preseason game. Best way to get back up to where we're staying? I've only parked. I'm guessing at that time of night my daughter is going to be wiped out and not very happy about a semi-long walk back to the hotel (at least by her standards).

Friday

- Leaving pretty early in the am on Friday via Union Station to head down to Bloomington.

We don't have a ton of time, so mostly looking for decent advice right around the immediate downtown vicinity for eating, transportation, what you guys think would be good entertainment wise with young kids (without walking extreme distances or being stuck on CTA for long periods...time is short).

 

[KittiesKorner]

Same as last time grrl try to get a reservation for dinner at bavette's one night

http://bavetteschicago.com/

 

[KittiesKorner]

 

[Bearin' Down]

Skip lous go to pizzanos. Get a frozen lous pizza for home

 

[KittiesKorner]

well you asked so I'ma keep going.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bav...dbc9bf82f2c81b!2m2!1d-87.6337377!2d41.8903544

 

[KittiesKorner]

re: (Bavette's) and Wells Street area

http://www.firecakesdonuts.com/

 

[KittiesKorner]

re: Union Station

http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/

you can buy something at french market (including the belgian place with pommes frites and tripels, or the indian place) and literally walk onto your train

 

[KittiesKorner]

oh also re: Wells street area

http://pierogiheaven.com/

 

[Tater]

re: Union Station

http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/

you can buy something at french market (including the belgian place with pommes frites and tripels, or the indian place) and literally walk onto your train

And try the lobster bisque!

 

[SERE Bear]

Science and Industry is awesome for kids of all ages and I'm sure your daughter would love it. That is an all day sucker though, as in get there ealry & leave at closing. The Field would be our second choice.


The french Market looks cool, do they sell salmon colored pants?

 

[Tater]

Salisbury steaks? Is that Banquet�© brand?

 

[KittiesKorner]

Science and Industry is awesome for kids of all ages and I'm sure your daughter would love it. That is an all day sucker though, as in get there ealry & leave at closing. The Field would be our second choice.


The french Market looks cool, do they sell salmon colored pants?

no but they just opened a meatloaf cupcakeria in french market

http://www.themeatloafbakery.com/

 

[KittiesKorner]

Salisbury steaks? Is that Banquet�© brand?

yeah, **** you, too

 

[number51]

re: Union Station

http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/

you can buy something at french market (including the belgian place with pommes frites and tripels, or the indian place) and literally walk onto your train

That's in OTC (Ogilvie Transportation Center). Union Station is two blocks South of there at Canal and Adams.

You are 100% right, that place is amazing.

 

[KittiesKorner]

That's in OTC (Ogilvie Transportation Center). Union Station is two blocks South of there at Canal and Adams.

You are 100% right, that place is amazing.

Were you aware that you can walk between the 2 stations underground, dick?

I walk to French Market and my sister walks from Union Station to meet every other week. #PissingContest?

 

[HeHateMe]

Were you aware that you can walk between the 2 stations underground, dick?

I walk to French Market and my sister walks from Union Station to meet every other week. #PissingContest?

It's stuff like this that has most people around the us thinking Chicagoans are the most obnoxious, arrogant, pretentious pricks in the entire world. No wonder my buddies in Dayton just roll their eyes when people talk about chicago. Same with my boys in corpus christie, they just cringe.

 

[Ares]

Idk that I can help with restaurants Nvan, but here's a tip for your Friday.

Assuming you are going to Union station in the morning during or near rush hour, go in to Union station at the Canal street entrance, do not try to go in the other smaller entrance/exits like off Adams because the escalators only go up and the stairs are filled with people that are going up so it would be you, luggage, and your child fighting through a commuter horde to get down near the trains.

Also if you go in Canal street and down them big escalators you just walk straight into the Amtrak area and you won't derp around the train concourse getting knocked over by asshole commuters like me.

I have seen quite a few Amtrak passengers try to come in the Adams entrance with kids and giant roller bags and I am pretty sure they hate themselves lol

 

[HeHateMe]

Idk that I can help with restaurants Nvan, but here's a tip for your Friday.

Assuming you are going to Union station in the morning during or near rush hour, go in to Union station at the Canal street entrance, do not try to go in the other smaller entrance/exits like off Adams because the escalators only go up and the stairs are filled with people that are going up so it would be you, luggage, and your child fighting through a commuter horde to get down near the trains.

Also if you go in Canal street and down them big escalators you just walk straight into the Amtrak area and you won't derp around the train concourse getting knocked over by asshole commuters like me.

I have seen quite a few Amtrak passengers try to come in the Adams entrance with kids and giant roller bags and I am pretty sure they hate themselves lol

Typical chicagoan arrogance ...

 

[Ares]

Typical chicagoan arrogance ...

You wouldn't understand... you are just a lowly Prawn

 

[KittiesKorner]

Aresbro you and me and clone should go to the meatloaf cupcakery that is french market in ogilvie station that is magically connected to union station