It shouldn't be 30 degrees outside in St. Louis during the second week of April and I'm running out of stuff to keep us entertained.
How is it in the rest of at home dad land?
I'm Bored
More indoor fun here...
We got 4 inches of wet, slushy snow yesterday here in Palatine (suburb of Chicago). Of course, to make the most of it, we did put on some wet gear and go outside and get a little sloppy in it. But still...
Our local weather guy, Tom Skilling says 60's by next week. I'll believe that when I see it!
snow
At least with snow you can go out and play. When its barely above freezing and raining, there isn't much you can do. Thanks to the founders of Pump It Up! It helps both of us get through these days.
Speaking of Chicago. We'll
Speaking of Chicago. We'll we heading up that way for a weeklong family getaway in May (if it's not snowing!) We're planning on hitting all the usual points downtown (aquarium, museums, Sears Tower) any good places to eat or any other pointers?
Feel free to move this to its own topic if it gets busy.
Lengthy Suggestions for Chicago Trip
Make sure you get tickets to Sponge Bob 4D at the Chicago Aquarium. They are cheap, and the show is a lot of fun.
My suggestion is to skip the Sears Tower, and do the Hancock instead. The Sears Observatory is a whopping $14 compared to the Hancock's top floor restaurant, where you can enjoy the free view and slightly over-priced cocktails/soda.
Across the street from the Hancock is a trendy Bloomingdale's mall at 900 N. Michigan. Tucked away on the top (6th) floor is an excellent hidden brunch place called The Oak Tree. They have a huge selection of soups and salads, and an amazing view of downtown at the window tables. (There is a really great view in the very back at the last table in the restaurant. I used to work there, so I know all the secrets.)
Also, you can go here http://www3.yourcta.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTA&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=vp to buy several three day unlimited-use transit passes for your family. These will be much cheaper than using a taxi all weekend; they work for both the bus and the "L". And remember that the bus drivers and L workers are very friendly; they will always point you in the right direction for transportation if you need help.
Last, if you plan on going to see Second City, the famous comedy troupe, you should buy your tickets immediately over the phone (not over internet). They are selling out most of their tickets for the next several weekends because of their popular new show "Between Barack and a Hard Place".
If you're looking for a fun (safe) family comedy show, you should try comedysportz.
Transit question
we would love to use public transit like the train but since our system has only 1 1/2 lines i get confused over anything more complicated. Is there a chicago train primer somewhere?
transit help
http://transitchicago.com/maps/systemmaps.html
Above is a good place to go to get comfortable with the transit map.
Here are my "L" color-coded tips:
Red Line- Runs from southside to northside, and hits downtown, Sox, Cubs, Chinatown, and all stops are relatively near the lake.
Brown Line- runs north to trendy neighbourhoods with good restaurants and goes around Chicago's Loop district.
Blue line- runs west to O'Hare Airport and along the way are hot-spot neighbourhoods inhabited by many at-home Dads.
Orange Line- runs south west to Midway Airport (nothing else worth visiting)
Those are all you really will ever use as a tourist, but that may be debated by some. The good thing about buying the 3-day pass from the link in my previous post is that you don't have to worry about adding money or whether you have enough change.
And seriously, if you need to find the right bus to the field museum (or wherever) the transit workers are totally cool about helping people out.
The best thing to understand about Chicago (and you may already know this) is that it's on the grid system, and each block goes up or down by 100. So, if you are at 800 N. Michigan, the next block north will be 900 N. Michigan. Easy to learn, and it will give you confidence finding addresses and locations.
CTA
http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/systemmaps.html
I'm not a transit guy but managed pretty well when I was in Chicago for conventions - its pretty simple. Once you figure out which way the stupid passes go into the turnstiles its cake. Oh, if I remember right the trains are called by their destination stations rather than north/south etc so you have to remember what station corresponds to what direction..... Now was that Dan Ryan to get to the aquarium or Howard? Dammit I just want to go south!!!! Really though, it is pretty easy. And there are maps inside the trains to figure out you're on the wrong one...
Free Trolley
Just to make things even more confusing, there is a free trolley that runs from the loop (downtown area) to the museums and other tour attractions. Forget north or south there too. Do I want the blue triangle trolley or the gold star? No, it must be the green circle!
Maps. Get maps. Like the ones Tim posted! Sheesh! I'm from Chicago and everyone outside Chicago is doing better than I posting info about coming here.
Well, TickTock used to live here at least.
I'll find the trolley map somewhere.
Things to see....
Here are my Chicago recommendations:
* Millenium Park - incredible
* Lincoln Park Zoo - free
* Navy Pier - if you must, not a huge fan, but most popular tourist attraction in Chicago
Also depending on your kids' ages ( and financial ability) I recommend a boat tour. Chicago from the Lake is great (OK Im biased I work for them in the summer) as is Wendella.
Josh
SAHD Since August 2005
Chicago Dads
Go to Hot Doug's for lunch
Go to Hot Doug's for lunch one day while you are in Chicago. Best hot dogs & sausages on a bun in Chicago and the owner (Doug) taking orders behind the counter and is a super nice guy. He's only open during the day 10:30am-4:00pm and it's better to go during the week, if possible, because on the weekends the line can be out the door and down the street. It's worth the wait and great people watching, ranging from neighborhood folks to urban hipsters.
After that head over to Lincoln Square and walk around. Cool shops ranging from Meyer's Delicatessen (German deli with great pretzels), Timeless Toys, Merz Apothecary, Laurie's Planet of Sound (great record store), and other shops, taverns, and restaurants.
www.HoorayForSaturday.typepad.com
Free stuff for dads to do
check out www.dadcando.com for loads of free stuff to do with your kids, no need to be bored again. We certainly get our fair share of dull grey weather here.
I'm Not a
Well we're enjoying our vacation here in Chicago (well as much as one can toting a spastic 3 year old around!) Thanks for all the insider tips, tomorrow I think we're going to the Lincoln Zoo and then run around Millennium Park. I usually try and visit a brewpub when I'm in a city and it looks like I have Goose Island to choose from. I think I want to go to the one by the ballpark since we were in the other neighborhood the other day.
Many many thanks for suggesting that we use public transportation, it has saved us SO much money, ($3.89 for GAS!?) and I can relax and look around instead of dealing with the traffic.
We're #1!, We're#1! Oh wait...
That's a bad thing! Chicago has the highest gas prices in the nation!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070521gas-prices,1,2182250.story
That story was from May 21 and prices have gone up since.
Gas prices ARE OUTRAGEOUS! And typically .20 a gallon more in the city limits than I pay here in the suburbs of Chicago, where it is a mere (gulp) 3.69/gallon. But still...Ouch!
Joined: 2006-11-16
Dad Points: 539