Trip Report #6 - Family fun in Chicago

This trip took place in June of 2016.  I had a work conference to attend in Chicago and the family flew in to meet me towards the end of the conference.  There is a ton of fun things to do in Chicago with kids!  This post will touch on a few of them. 

Flights:

As always we flew Southwest to Chicago.  I flew into Chicago (Midway) on Sunday for the Conference.  Kim and the kids flew in on Tuesday afternoon.  Since my departure flight was at a different time I couldn't have Kim fly free to Chicago using my companion pass.  I used points to purchase their 3 departure flights for 6,000 points each.  Now on the return flight on Thursday, Kim did fly free since I was on the same flight.  The two kids flights cost 6,750 points each.

Now in June of 2016 Kim was about 5 months pregnant.  I thought her and the kids could easily get from the airport to the hotel using public transportation.  It looked pretty easy, there was an "L" stop only a couple blocks from the hotel.  What I didn't realize was that some of the older stations do not have elevators.  The one Kim had to get off did have one but it was out of order!  I am just glad there are some nice people in Chicago that helped her get the stroller down the steps!  Imagine trying to get a sit and stand stroller, two kids, and luggage down these steps by yourself 5 months pregnant.

Stairs, stairs, stairs - credit to railroadcollection

Hotel:

I chose a partner hotel of the conference - the Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park.  This is a beautiful hotel with great views of the park and Chicago. The room (double beds) was a nice size. We had a great view of the lake and park. The fact that there wasn't a pool for the kids was a downside. However, the location was awesome. We were able to walk to many parks and activities.  Since at the time of this trip I had a Chase Fairmont credit card(no longer available) we had some nice perks during this stay.  Each card member received $50 to spend at hotel restaurants or spas and I also received Fairmont Fit perks.  The Fit benefits included a pair of running shoes, shorts, and shirts available for your use during your stay.  I simply requested the perk before check in and the shoes and clothes were waiting for me on my bed!  What a great perk!.  We used our $50 credit for lunch at the at the onsite restaurant, Columbus Tap.  It was very good. The kids loved the mac and cheese.  

Activities:

Day 1:

After dropping the kids' bags at the hotel we headed out to find some good Chicago deep dish pizza.  We settled on Giordano's.  One thing we learned is that it takes a long time for the pizzas to cook.  Bring activities for the kids.  We ended up running around with the kids in a open green space just outside the restaurant.  The pizza was definitely yummy!

Following dinner we walked down to the Riverwalk.  At the time Chicago was not a very stroller friendly city. It seemed like the Riverwalk was adding elevators when we were there but it was tough to get around with a stroller.  We had to walk a few blocks away to find a ramp down to the river and then backtrack to where we wanted to go.  The Riverwalk is a very nice area though.  The kids loved getting ice cream and watching the boats go by.  We did not try any of the restaurants right on the water but they always looked busy and lively.  

Boat Tour:

We boarded the boat on the river walk near Trump Tower (again we had to take the stroller down a ton of stairs).  The boat went on the river towards the lake.  At the lake we waited to enter the lock and then proceeded out on the lake. It was mostly an Architectural tour but the kids still had a fun time and the boat had a full bar!!    Lincoln fell asleep on the boat which was a plus.  

Macie not so happy to take a picture on the boat.  

Day 2:

Shedd Aquarium - After eating Dunkin Donuts for breakfast we took a Lyft ride from the hotel over to the Aquarium.  We were one of the first ones in the door.  This is a fun interactive Aquarium.  The Beluga Whale trainers in the Oceanarium even asked Macie if she wanted to be a guest trainer but she was too scared to help out 😕.  

Beluga Whales

Awesome view from the Aquarium

Penguin exhibit fun

There is also a Polar Play Ground where the kids can slide around like penguins.  We spent a good amount of time in this area.  I believe overall we spent about 3 hours in the Aquarium.  It was definitely a worthwhile activity.

We took a Lyft back to the hotel for naps and lunch.  After lunch we started on a long walk to the Navy Pier.  

We wanted to go to the pier to ride the Ferris Wheel.  However, once we got there we found out it was really expensive - like $15 per adult!  I decided on a happy hour drink at the Margaritaville to-go bar instead.  We also thought there would be a bunch of fun kids stuff to do at the pier but it was mostly a tourist trap.  The kids were exhausted by this time so we decided to stop at the AMC movie theatre on the way back to the hotel to catch Finding Dory.  This was a nice break in the Air Condition.  

Day 3:

We had an early flight so we woke up and had breakfast at the nearby Wildberry pancakes.  It was awesome!  We definitely recommend it.   

Chicago was a fun, short trip.  We plan to go back again to explore more.  Have you been to Chicago with kids?  What did you do?

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