A Good Long Weekend Trip Around Chicago (1 Viewer)

[Chadstroma]

I offered to get her Depeche Mode tickets not long ago and she said no because she would be the old person in the crowd.

I think only old people go to Depeche Mode concerts.

That was what I was thinking but I dare not say it to her

 

[Chadstroma]

Not really a history fan.... I am beginning to realize my wife is hard to please

Does she enjoy watching shows? May be worth checking out the Playhouse schedule. We're taking the whole family to see Come From Away mid-August. If you find something she likes maybe combo that with RnR HoF.

Yea, pre-kids we would do see theatre and she has gone a couple of times in the last few years with family so that is an idea.

 

[Chadstroma]

Amtrak up to Milwaukee or Twin Cities?

hhmmnnn..... and do what in those cities? I have never really been to either and don't know what they have to offer.

Not doing all the driving sounds nice though for sure.

 

[Tick]

I offered to get her Depeche Mode tickets not long ago and she said no because she would be the old person in the crowd.

I think only old people go to Depeche Mode concerts.

That was what I was thinking but I dare not say it to her

My daughter and her boyfriend went to a Cure concert last year, they're 21ish.

 

[Kuz]

With Door County.... I poked around on the innerwebs looking at things.... I am not seeing anything that the kids would get excited about. The last thing I want to do is go on a trip and hear "I am borrrrrrrrreda" all freaking trip long. Did I miss stuff?

You're kids would be bored in Door County - More of an adult place to go but then again I've only been there once.. There are the fish boils though...

 

[Chadstroma]

With Door County.... I poked around on the innerwebs looking at things.... I am not seeing anything that the kids would get excited about. The last thing I want to do is go on a trip and hear "I am borrrrrrrrreda" all freaking trip long. Did I miss stuff?

You're kids would be bored in Door County - More of an adult place to go but then again I've only been there once.. There are the fish boils though...

Yea, when I was looking at it online I really didn't see anything that was kids stuff to do other than hiking or fishing type outdoor stuff which my kids mostly are not interested in

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

You could easily spend 2 days at the Art Institute if your family likes that kind of stuff.

 

[McBokonon]

I offered to get her Depeche Mode tickets not long ago and she said no because she would be the old person in the crowd.

I think only old people go to Depeche Mode concerts.

That was what I was thinking but I dare not say it to her

My daughter and her boyfriend went to a Cure concert last year, they're 21ish.

Half the crowd was in their 20’s at the Violent Femmes concert I went to - at the state fair. I was stunned.

 

[Tick]

Another option could be staycation - go to the museums (maybe lesser ones like the Oriental Institute), head out to the First Division tank farm at Cantigny and Brookfield Zoo, go to a baseball game, hit up Ikea and the huge Asian market over by Schaumburg and eat in their weird food court, etc. Whatever your family has never gotten around to doing in Chicago.

... because if you already live in the biggest city in the midwest and your family doesn't like doing anything out of town, you might be best off staying in Chicago. Get a hotel each night if that feels like a vacation.

Or take the kids to St. Louis for that bonkers City Museum and see the arch.

 

[the moops]

I really didn't see anything that was kids stuff to do other than hiking or fishing type outdoor stuff which my kids mostly are not interested in

I know this was related to Door county, but I owed you a reply about what to do up in the Twin Cities if you took the Amtrak.

You said the kids are into athletics and will go along with what typical kids like. You could do a mini sports tour thing in the Twin Cities? Would the wife go for that? Catch a Lynx WNBA game, and a Twins game? And definitely go the delightful AAA baseball stadium in downtown St Paul to see the Saints play. Hell there is even a professional ultimate frisbee team here which is an easy yet fun experience. If anyone is into golf, there is the US amateur championships here in early August. Apparently super cool to watch - get to roam the course and just follow behind golfers.

And then there is the dumb Mall of America which most people actually enjoy.



Good luck buddy

 

[Keerock]

Honestly can't go wrong with most of the Western Michigan/Northern Ohio advice already given. Depends on what you want the vacation to look like. West MI will be more laid back, nature, cool vibes/food, sightseeing. Northern Ohio will be more structured... CP is awesome but it's a hectic full day or more. R&R HoF, NFL HoF are each half day at best.

 

[Galileo]

Thoughts on Cedar Point for a day and then maybe go to Canton for the Football Hall of Fame? Would need to figure out something for the wifey as Cedar Point would be for the kids and HOF for me and the boys. Not sure how much she would enjoy either. lol

The Football Hall of Fame has built up an entire campus of stuff now trying to make it more of a destination for families. They have a few rides and were building a waterpark there...I think it was supposed to open this year, but I am not certain of the status. Several places to eat/drink on the campus as well. Those not interested in going through the football museum can play outdoors.

 

[bryhamm]

c'mon down to the St Louis area

 

[Don Quixote]

@Chadstroma So, what was the end here?

 

[Chadstroma]

@Chadstroma So, what was the end here?

Paralysis by analysis basically.... we kept having short little conversations (like a sentence or two about it) and then both of us were busy and just never made progress on getting something put together. Then football started and my daughters basketball started so.... maybe punt on it I guess.

 

[Eephus]

Paralysis by analysis basically.... we kept having short little conversations (like a sentence or two about it) and then both of us were busy and just never made progress on getting something put together. Then football started and my daughters basketball started so.... maybe punt on it I guess.

Hate to hear this. The window for traveling with your kids is short and passes quickly.

 

[Chadstroma]

Paralysis by analysis basically.... we kept having short little conversations (like a sentence or two about it) and then both of us were busy and just never made progress on getting something put together. Then football started and my daughters basketball started so.... maybe punt on it I guess.

Hate to hear this. The window for traveling with your kids is short and passes quickly.

Yea, it sucks.... but comparatively speaking in perspective coming out of what we went through as a family.... not a big deal. And I kept them busy all summer. Sports camps, trips to the local pool, Dave and Busters, and other entertainment things.

I think the plan is next summer for a Disney trip for them. So, hopefully that will make up for it in a way.

 

[Chadstroma]

Paralysis by analysis basically.... we kept having short little conversations (like a sentence or two about it) and then both of us were busy and just never made progress on getting something put together. Then football started and my daughters basketball started so.... maybe punt on it I guess.

Hate to hear this. The window for traveling with your kids is short and passes quickly.

Yea, it sucks.... but comparatively speaking in perspective coming out of what we went through as a family.... not a big deal. And I kept them busy all summer. Sports camps, trips to the local pool, Dave and Busters, and other entertainment things.

I think the plan is next summer for a Disney trip for them. So, hopefully that will make up for it in a way.

Though I will say their friends have come back from trips to Ireland, African Safari's, Poland (a whole lot of Poles in the Chicago area), Florida, this island or that island, etc. Sucks to be the poor family (comparatively speaking) at a private school.

 

[Tick]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked - we're going without a car for the first time. Amtrak to and from, L train while we're there. We're also staying in West Loop rather than the main downtown. We wanted to use Chicago Greeters to get a tour of the neighborhood we're staying in, but since you can't book on your arrival or departure date, and you have to pick a backup date, it can only be done if you have at least 4 days in town. We have 3.

Some rough plans for 3 days - we need to lock some of these down and knock others off the list:

• Second City
• International Museum of Surgical Science
• Art Institute
• River architecture tour
• Maybe Garfield Park Conservatory
• Maybe 606 elevated garden

Some food plans (we're not Michelin types):

• Al's Beef for (Italian beef sammich)
• Green Street Smoked Meats (pastrami sammich)
• High Five Ramen
• Greek Islands
• Goddess and the Baker

I kind of overplanned (there's a lot more on my list), but if it goes smoothly, we can do it again some other weekend.

ETA: Insane that there's no L stop at Union Station.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked - we're going without a car for the first time. Amtrak to and from, L train while we're there. We're also staying in West Loop rather than the main downtown. We wanted to use Chicago Greeters to get a tour of the neighborhood we're staying in, but since you can't book on your arrival or departure date, and you have to pick a backup date, it can only be done if you have at least 4 days in town. We have 3.

Some rough plans for 3 days - we need to lock some of these down and knock others off the list:

• Second City
• International Museum of Surgical Science
• Art Institute
• River architecture tour
• Maybe Garfield Park Conservatory
• Maybe 606 elevated garden

Some food plans (we're not Michelin types):

• Al's Beef for (Italian beef sammich)
• Green Street Smoked Meats (pastrami sammich)
• High Five Ramen
• Greek Islands
• Goddess and the Baker

I kind of overplanned (there's a lot more on my list), but if it goes smoothly, we can do it again some other weekend.

ETA: Insane that there's no L stop at Union Station.

go for a lunch and then afternoon and dinner in Chinatown - and get the Peking Duck for dinner

 

[Psychopav]

ETA: Insane that there's no L stop at Union Station.

lol

THAT NOT WHY WERE HERE

 

[Tick]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked - we're going without a car for the first time. Amtrak to and from, L train while we're there. We're also staying in West Loop rather than the main downtown. We wanted to use Chicago Greeters to get a tour of the neighborhood we're staying in, but since you can't book on your arrival or departure date, and you have to pick a backup date, it can only be done if you have at least 4 days in town. We have 3.

Some rough plans for 3 days - we need to lock some of these down and knock others off the list:

• Second City
• International Museum of Surgical Science
• Art Institute
• River architecture tour
• Maybe Garfield Park Conservatory
• Maybe 606 elevated garden

Some food plans (we're not Michelin types):

• Al's Beef for (Italian beef sammich)
• Green Street Smoked Meats (pastrami sammich)
• High Five Ramen
• Greek Islands
• Goddess and the Baker

I kind of overplanned (there's a lot more on my list), but if it goes smoothly, we can do it again some other weekend.

ETA: Insane that there's no L stop at Union Station.

go for a lunch and then afternoon and dinner in Chinatown - and get the Peking Duck for dinner

Thanks, I think that will be a day on another trip. I walked there once and had a meal with the kids, but my wife hasn’t been there yet.

 

[Brony]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked - we're going without a car for the first time. Amtrak to and from, L train while we're there. We're also staying in West Loop rather than the main downtown. We wanted to use Chicago Greeters to get a tour of the neighborhood we're staying in, but since you can't book on your arrival or departure date, and you have to pick a backup date, it can only be done if you have at least 4 days in town. We have 3.

Some rough plans for 3 days - we need to lock some of these down and knock others off the list:

• Second City
• International Museum of Surgical Science
• Art Institute
• River architecture tour
• Maybe Garfield Park Conservatory
• Maybe 606 elevated garden

Some food plans (we're not Michelin types):

• Al's Beef for (Italian beef sammich)
• Green Street Smoked Meats (pastrami sammich)
• High Five Ramen
• Greek Islands
• Goddess and the Baker

I kind of overplanned (there's a lot more on my list), but if it goes smoothly, we can do it again some other weekend.

ETA: Insane that there's no L stop at Union Station.

Love Green Street meats. That's a great stop on your list. Should pair well with the Surgical Science museum.

My teen daughter insisted on going to Levian bakery in that hood. It was pretty g dam glorious.

 

[Tick]

Early plan:
Day 1: Amtrak there, Wildberry brunch, Art Institute, High Five Ramen dinner
Day 2: Egg Tuck breakfast, Lincoln Park Zoo, lunch somewhere, Surgical museum, Second City
Day 3: Nutella Cafe breakfast, River architecture cruise, En Hakkore lunch, rent bikes for 606 elevated trail, Amtrak home

The link from L train to the lakefront is a little loose - looks like buses, which in my experience are miserable because I'm the only person trying to get on any bus who hasn't ridden it 1000 times, and any words from the conductor are shorthand for people who already know wtf is going on. I step on and either need to have exact change or they don't accept cash, and I either have to pay there or already have a ticket/pass, and everyone on the bus is pissed at the delay while I figure it out... I have bus anxiety.

Also, I'm not sure how to handle having backpacks for the final day after checking out of the hotel in the morning. That sounds like it might suck for things like renting a bike to ride the 606. Maybe I need to shift some stuff around and do a museum on the final day so we can check backpacks.

 

[Tick]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked

Love Green Street meats. That's a great stop on your list. Should pair well with the Surgical Science museum.

My teen daughter insisted on going to Levian bakery in that hood. It was pretty g dam glorious.

What's that bakery?

 

[Brony]

I've got the bones of a Chicago trip booked

Love Green Street meats. That's a great stop on your list. Should pair well with the Surgical Science museum.

My teen daughter insisted on going to Levian bakery in that hood. It was pretty g dam glorious.

What's that bakery?

Levain. On randolph, close by Green Street Meats.

 

[krista4]

Early plan:
Day 1: Amtrak there, Wildberry brunch, Art Institute, High Five Ramen dinner
Day 2: Egg Tuck breakfast, Lincoln Park Zoo, lunch somewhere, Surgical museum, Second City
Day 3: Nutella Cafe breakfast, River architecture cruise, En Hakkore lunch, rent bikes for 606 elevated trail, Amtrak home

The link from L train to the lakefront is a little loose - looks like buses, which in my experience are miserable because I'm the only person trying to get on any bus who hasn't ridden it 1000 times, and any words from the conductor are shorthand for people who already know wtf is going on. I step on and either need to have exact change or they don't accept cash, and I either have to pay there or already have a ticket/pass, and everyone on the bus is pissed at the delay while I figure it out... I have bus anxiety.

Also, I'm not sure how to handle having backpacks for the final day after checking out of the hotel in the morning. That sounds like it might suck for things like renting a bike to ride the 606. Maybe I need to shift some stuff around and do a museum on the final day so we can check backpacks.

I don’t see a dinner on your Day 2. In the area where you’ll be, Twin Anchors is a local institution for their ribs. Also Topo Gigio is great Italian food and not fancy. Also love Old Jerusalem, but it’s might be TOO casual.