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Becky Parker
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Dh and I have decided to go to Chicago for a few days to celebrate our 25th anniversary. This will be the first time we have been anywhere without the kids since we started having them 21 years ago! (Well, there was a cruise when our first son was a baby but I'm not counting that since it didn't turn out to be a very pleasant trip, but I wont go into that!) Anyway! I live in a very small town. We can wear jeans to even the nicest restaurants and if we want to see a play or other type of show we have to travel an hour to the nearest big city. So! I have no idea what to plan for. What do I wear? Where should we go? Where should we not go? Anyone have advice? I'm so excited but after doing a quick search on line to start the planning process I am totally overwhelmed! We'll be going in December too, so it will be cold I'm sure. Oh! and we're taking the train to get there which is another completely new experience for me! Jeepers, I'm 50 years old and I feel like a kid going to Disney World for the first time! 
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Becky
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That sounds SO fun!!! I LOVE Chicago. That being said, I’m not especially savvy about the place. There are so, so many beautiful historic Catholic churches, you could literally spend the entire time doing a tour. We love St John Cantius....it’s beautiful. St John Cantius I absolutely love the Institute of Art..that’s a must visit....of course the shopping....just being there and walking around is a fun time for us. And riding the train?? I hope you knit! I was just telling Lily last night how fun it would be to ride the train over to Chicago, envisioning lots of knitting time.
Enjoy!!!
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stefoodie
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Whatever you do, bundle up! :)
Consider getting a City Pass if you plan on seeing several places, to save money.
Parking is horrible so you might want to park at your hotel and do lots of walking, or take their Hop On Hop Off bus.
There are lots of places to go, but our favorites are the Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower), the Art Institute, Holy Name Cathedral, Crown Fountain, and Cloud Gate/the Bean, to name a few.
And we haven't been there in a few years, so I don't know which restaurants are good now, but Giordano's is known for deep-dish pizza, though there are many other great options. If you're into Asian food, try Wow Bao -- fun way to order your meal. Or for more traditional Asian, Chinese specifically, try Dimsum at Cai.
Chicago of course has many beautiful and historic Churches, but I don't know if you'll be driving.
Enjoy, Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!! How fun and exciting for you two!!
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stefoodie
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Some uncommon picks
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Pilgrim
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If you can visit St. Mary of the Angels Church, I'd take the time for sure. It is one of the most beautiful churches we have ever been to. Visited it with a group of friends from Lower MI in my teens. It was breathtaking.
The other place we enjoyed in Chicago was Shedd Aquarium, if you would find that interesting.
Hope you have great trip!
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Oct 21 2014 at 6:19am | IP Logged
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Wow! This church does look gorgeous! And I love that they have the prayers for the Liturgy of the Hours. I'm not sure we'll be up and moving at 6:30 (after all, it IS a vacation!  ) but if we are that would be perfect. DH and I both say those prayers every morning.
And regarding your comment about knitting, sad to say I do not! However, I do love to read when I'm traveling since that is the only time I seem to be able to so I'll have a stack of books with me! 
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Becky
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Becky Parker
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stefoodie wrote:
Whatever you do, bundle up! :)
Consider getting a City Pass if you plan on seeing several places, to save money.
Parking is horrible so you might want to park at your hotel and do lots of walking, or take their Hop On Hop Off bus.
There are lots of places to go, but our favorites are the Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower), the Art Institute, Holy Name Cathedral, Crown Fountain, and Cloud Gate/the Bean, to name a few.
And we haven't been there in a few years, so I don't know which restaurants are good now, but Giordano's is known for deep-dish pizza, though there are many other great options. If you're into Asian food, try Wow Bao -- fun way to order your meal. Or for more traditional Asian, Chinese specifically, try Dimsum at Cai.
Chicago of course has many beautiful and historic Churches, but I don't know if you'll be driving.
Enjoy, Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!! How fun and exciting for you two!! |
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Thanks for these practical suggestions, Stef! I would love to visit a different church each day we are there, especially the older historic churches. I am a little worried about getting around. DH says we'll just grab a cab but is that as easy as it sounds? I want to avoid stress! I'm hoping the weather cooperates and we can walk to most of the places we want to go.
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Becky
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Becky Parker
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Pilgrim wrote:
If you can visit St. Mary of the Angels Church, I'd take the time for sure. It is one of the most beautiful churches we have ever been to. Visited it with a group of friends from Lower MI in my teens. It was breathtaking.
The other place we enjoyed in Chicago was Shedd Aquarium, if you would find that interesting.
Hope you have great trip! |
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Another beautiful church is see! Thanks for this suggestion Pilgrim!
The Shedd Aquarium is definitely a place on our list. I know I'm going to wish the kids were with us for some of these!
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Becky
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Pilgrim
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Becky Parker wrote:
Another beautiful church is see! Thanks for this suggestion Pilgrim!
The Shedd Aquarium is definitely a place on our list. I know I'm going to wish the kids were with us for some of these! |
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You're welcome, sounds like you guys will have an awesome time.
That's just what I was thinking I would feel on a trip without the kids, but it's good for Mom and Dad to get time to just you, too.
As far as the cab, when I went with my grandparents to Chicago and we took a cab, the one thing that took us aback a bit was how crazy the traffic was, and that the "cabbie" had to drive fast and cut into traffic kinda ruthlessly, which we did not expect. They seem like "crazy drivers" but that's how you have to drive in Chicago I guess. My In-laws grew up in Chicago and were accustomed to such big city traffic. My husband tells the story of how my father in law did a "Chicago-style turn" once, as he called it, in Green Bay. The traffic was bad forever, so eventually he just pulled out to get across, and yes, thankfully people did stop. If you can go into it knowing that's how they drive in Chicago, then it won't be as much of a surprise when they just pull out into traffic or switch lanes when there's no one "letting them in". A thought, maybe ahead of time, too, is to see if you can find anything on the rates for taxis in Chicago so you can be prepared budget-wise?
Congratulations on your Anniversary, I really hope you two have a wonderful time!
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Becky Parker
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Any breakfast recommendations?
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Becky
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stefoodie
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We've never taken a cab while in Chicago, either drove ourselves or parked somewhere and walked or that one time when we rode the double decker. That's it. Don't know how hard/easy it would be to get cabs.
And haven't eaten breakfast in Chicago since... 1998? so wouldn't have any recommendations. When we were there last we left home early, had lunch in Chicago, and then drove to meet people up North. Sorry!! :)
Looks like they have lots of breakfast options though!!
10 Breakfasts We Love in Chicago, from Serious Eats
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stef
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Chicago
