Great Travel Tips For Families
Chicago, Illinois is a great city to vacation in for families with children. Its central United States location makes it an easy drive or plane ride for most people as well as having the 2nd busiest airport in the world located at O’Hare as well. There are so many wonderful things to do and see with your children of all ages that it is an ideal spot for your summer getaway. Use some of the following tips and suggestions to help you as well as get some brochures and presentation folders about the city from your local travel agent or the chamber of tourism website and you should be well prepared for your trip.
After you get your airplane tickets all set up and the dates you would like to visit Chicago, it is time to book your accommodations. Michigan Avenue and the magnificent mile are the best areas to look at when looking at booking a hotel. There are many good options that are ideal for families like hotels that have suite style rooms and ones that also offer a free breakfast in the rate.
Some of the hotels that fit that type of hotel are Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites and a brand new Comfort Suites that are all located in this Michigan Ave area. All of these rooms have a living area separate from the bedroom area as well as some provide mini kitchens which may be nice to keep some food in if you have very small children that you do not want to drag to expensive restaurants for every meal.
There are several wonderful museums in Chicago that are really a must see with your children. The Shedd aquarium is located right on Lake Michigan and has an oceanarium with floor to ceiling windows that makes the water from the pool appear to continue all the way into the Lake outdoors and is quite impressive.
They have the largest collection of beluga whales in the world and even offer special opportunities for children to touch some sea creatures throughout the aquarium. Be sure to get there early as lines get quite long to get in later on.
Another great museum in Chicago to take the kids to is the Field Museum of Natural History where one of the largest archeological finds of a T-Rex dinosaur named Sue is located. They also have one of the biggest Egyptian exhibitions with a complete pharaohs burial tomb made of limestone has been reconstructed within the museum and is quite a sight to see. They have quite a few kid friendly interactive sights that appeal to the younger children as well.
The final suggestions for families would be to go to Navy Pier and see great views of the city from the ferris wheel, stroll through Millennium Park where President Obama gave his acceptance speech and also see the reflective structure called the bean which is fun. Also try to catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field if you can.
