Chicago Nesties
Last updated 4/06/11
Snortlemonster: Amaretto's siggy says: I'M A BLOGGER, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO FORCE-FEED IT TO YOU. And I have a secret life. And a sense of humor. And I am in charge. Sort of.
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
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Planning a trip to Chicago
Hi, ladies! DH and I are planning a trip to Chicago sometime in August or September and I have a few questions.
One of our days we want to go to the Shedd Aquarium. We went before and I LOVED it. The next day we want to wander the city and just take in the sites. I kinda want to go to the Sears Tower (isn't it named something else now?) because last time we went there, they didn't have the glass boxes.
Is there anything we should try to do? Would we be better served to come in August or September? Will August be too hot?
Sorry for so many questions. TIA!
Last updated 4/06/11
Snortlemonster: Amaretto's siggy says: I'M A BLOGGER, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO FORCE-FEED IT TO YOU. And I have a secret life. And a sense of humor. And I am in charge. Sort of.
Re: Planning a trip to Chicago
If you want to do Shedd and the Sears (yes, yes, now the Willis) Tower, you might want to consider the Chicago City Pass. It's about $70 per ticket, but it covers both of those sites, as well as the Hancock, Museum of Science and Industry, the Planetarium, and the Field. That's a lot of time in Museum's though, so maybe not your thing (not really mine...).
I wouldn't stay away in August for September. The truth is that either month could have a very hot weekend. September would get dangerous if you plan on being at the Shedd as it is very close to Soldier Field where the Bears play. If you're thinking September, I'd check their schedule first to avoid way over priced hotels and crazy traffic down that way.
Other things you can do include a boat tour of the city (particularly nice if it is not super hot outside and not too sunny because you're going to look up a LOT), visit Millennium Park and Grant Park (Google it first, there are sometimes free concerts going on), go to Chinatown (don't plan to be here for a full day, just a couple of hours), and visit some of the northern neighborhoods. I'm not sure what your interests are but there are some great boutiques in Lincoln Park, and some really good consignment shops as well.
Look for places to eat; there are a ton of options here. You can eat every cuisine at every price range. If you like Greek food, visit the West Loop/Greektown for a great dinner!
Feel free to ask more questions -- I HTH!
Thanks! I would love to see Chinatown. That'd be so much fun. Last time we went there, we visited a restaurant called Hamburger Mary's and it was pretty good!
I really like the idea of a boat tour. The city pass sounds good, but all we will probably do is the aquarium and the Tower. Would the pass be worth it? Would I save money if all I do are those two things?
Last updated 4/06/11
If you only do those two things I don't think you'll save any money. I think the SkyBox is like $22 per person (I think, might be wrong) and Shedd prices vary based on what you're doing. Either way, the two things are not going to cost you what the City Pass will cost, so if that's all you're doing, skip the Pass!
The Boat Tours are a great way to see a lot of the City, and involve very little walking, which is a huge bonus. If you aren't huge into architecture chose the one that lasts 90 minutes. There are longer options.
The tours leave from near Navy Pier, or at Navy Pier. There's a great little market there called Fox & Obel. It's perfect for lunch, picnic food, or a snack. I just like to go there and see what they have.
If you're over by Shedd in the morning you'll be near Yolk which is a great place for breakfast but tends to get a pretty decent wait around 9:30 a.m. so it's best if you don't mind waiting or get up early.
Enjoy your trip -- Chicago really is a beautiful city and this is a great time of year to visit!
LOL, can I just hire you as a tour guide?!??!?!
I agree--Chicago is an awesome city. We love to come visit. I wish I could spend about 5 days there. I'd have so much fun. And then I'd be ready to come back to my house in the woods
Last updated 4/06/11
Living here has turned me into a tour guide! This is our family and friends' favorite place to "vacation" now!
And yes, I am originally from the country and when the H and I go to visit my parents I am so at peace! I always think of the line in Sweet Home Alabama when she is back in AL and she says, "I'm happy in NY but this fits too." That's kind of how it goes living here.