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Cheap Chicago?

October 24th, 2006 at 04:16 am

We are taking the girls on a quick trip to Chicago this week. Hubby has a business trip (free room for us! :-)) and the girls have a couple days off school. DH has to fly, so I will have to drive the girls up and back by myself. Can't say that thrills me. 5 hours. Hope the van is feeling friendly!
Anyone have any tips for free things to see and do? Trying to keep this cheap. DH will be working most of the time, so its just me and the girls. I told them to bring plenty to do and the hotel has a pool too!

Posted in Not necessarily financial | 12 Comments »

12 Responses to “Cheap Chicago?”

  1. sarah Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 05:22 am 1161667372
    1161667372


    The Field Museum is not free but it is wonderful

  2. campfrugal Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 12:25 pm 1161692716
    1161692716

    On certain days, the museum and aquarium, I believe, are Free. I think it is Wednesdays. Check their websites. http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0550732906.1161692432@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceaddjdkkkiimcefecelldffhdfhg.0&contentOID=536892567&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=SubAgency&blockName=Tourism%2FMuseums+%26+Attractions%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Tourism&deptMainCategoryOID=-536897277

    http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html

    Have fun. We will be there for Thanksgiving.

  3. campfrugal Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 01:11 pm 1161695514
    1161695514

    Oops, sorry. I didn't realize that link would mess this page up. Feel free to delete it after you get your information.

  4. Him Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 02:06 pm 1161698815
    1161698815

    I'd pick up an issue of "Time Out Chicago" when you get to Chicago. They have weekly listings of stuff to do, including kid friendly stuff. You'll also find restaurant reviews for food ideas.

    Also try metromix.com for ideas.

  5. Thrifty Ray Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 03:34 pm 1161704065
    1161704065

    How fun!!!

    I hope you have a safe trip and enjoy the entire time!!

  6. elgin526 Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 03:45 pm 1161704728
    1161704728

    Does the hotel you're staying at have free parking? If you are staying in the city, parking can cost a fortune! See if they charge and if so, how much so you can budget for it. Once in the city, leave the car at the hotel and take public transportaion when ever possible. The L and the busses are frequent and convienant, the hotel's concierge or the front desk can help you figure out what L line and/or bus you need, if not the CTA has a website and a phone number that can help with directions and travel times. With kids I'd recomend Navy Pier,the Musuem of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium (pay extra for the shows, it's worth it). Unless they are REALLY into dinosaurs, I'd skip the Field Musuem, I was there as a kid and as an adult and was bored to tears both times. The Art Institute is wonderful, but the kids might be bored. Oh, and take a trip up to the top of either the Sears Tower or the Hancock building, the views are worth it!

  7. boomeyers Says:
    October 24th, 2006 at 08:01 pm 1161720098
    1161720098

    Thanks for the info everybody!!

  8. katwoman Says:
    October 25th, 2006 at 12:17 am 1161735453
    1161735453

    Field Museum boring?!?!?!?!?!?

    Are YOU KIDDING??????

    Kathy, nothing is cheap in Chicago anymore. Nothing! Do a Google search for CityPass. Major cities have these coupon books for passes to the museums.

    Something else you can do is afternoon tea at the Drake Hotel.

    God, I'm still reeling from that Field Museum comment!

  9. baselle Says:
    October 25th, 2006 at 03:14 am 1161746056
    1161746056

    The Field Museum boring? Okay, let me come clean. I went to the University of Chicago as a biology undergrad 20 years ago. Some of my best memories were classes and labs with the curators in the back (the Field is a working research museum). The Shedd is good, and there is the Adler Planetarium just past the Shedd. All well within walking distance on the lake front.

    I can't really recommend much that's free. Window shopping, walking along downtown maybe.

    Another place to try to see what's up in Chicago is the Chicago Reader. Movie times, restaurant reviews, art shows, readings, theater. http://www.chicagoreader.com/
    Check out Chicago 101, Reader Recommends, Daily Special. Most of it isn't going to be particularly kid friendly, but its what the locals use when they're trying to figure out what to do.

  10. baselle Says:
    October 25th, 2006 at 04:40 am 1161751215
    1161751215

    Found this link in the Chicago Tribune:
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0610240273oct24,1,6738587.story?coll=chi-entertainmentfront-hed

  11. campfrugal Says:
    October 25th, 2006 at 10:47 am 1161773224
    1161773224

    Gosh, I hope the Field Museum is not boring. We are going to the King Tut Exhibit this Thanksgiving. Hmmm.

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