Transportation
Tue 04/22/08 (day 1)
The pre-trip
02/27 - I realize this trip is just under two months away, however, at work it gets slow in the middle of the day. So to keep my mind busy I have been researching the heck out of this upcoming vacation my family will be taking. On day one we will not be doing anything exciting really except for hitting the road, at this point we will have about 24 hours of driving ahead of us. Google maps says the drive time is around 15 hours, but I've factored in breaks for the essentials. I've got two kids, 12 and 2, so I've also been doing my best to figure out how to keep them happy for this journey. So far, I've purchased a DVD system for the car (one of those headrest ones) and ordered some books. They both really enjoy to read, but that won't do them anygood when it is dark - enter TV. I've been looking around on message boards and travel websites to get other ideas, but it is all pretty much the same and to me seems like common sense, toys, games, nothing too loud, snacks, nothing too messy.....
I have started to make lists of everything I want to buy, everything I need to remember to pack, how to pack it (seperate the suitcases for Chicago & St. Louis), what to do in each city, public transportation routes. See, we'll be leaving the car in St. Louis and taking a train into Chicago. We will be staying downtown so I feel we should have no problems getting out and about.
Planned Activities
Tue 04/22/08 (day 1)
Wed 04/23/08 (day 2) - St. Louis
City
Thu 04/24/08 (day 3) - St Louis
Thing to Do
Restaurant
Thing to Do
Sat 04/26/08 (day 5)
Other
Sun 04/27/08 (day 6) - Chicago
Shopping
Thing to Do
City
Shopping
Thing to Do
Mon 04/28/08 (day 7) - Chicago
Thing to Do
Thing to Do
Transportation
Thing to Do
Thing to Do
Tue 04/29/08 (day 8) - Chicago
Thing to Do
Transportation
Restaurant
Thing to Do
Restaurant
Jordan
I've been to rainforest cafe, they have one here in Orlando, well, what don't they have here...so when we go to Chicago I am hoping to for once do native things. My husband and I have a bad habit of sticking to commerecial chains when we travel.
I think you're kids would really like the rainforest cafe, their deserts are awesome! Are there any other places in Chicago you would recommend for family?
I do have a question on getting around in Chicago, we will be relying solely on public transportation, something that where I live is lacking. So needless to say, it will be something completely foreign to me and the thought has me a little concerned. So, to my question, is it fairly uncomplicated to use the buses and trains to get around Chicago?
i have relatives living there and they have find the place peaceful and comfy so i think youl love the people and the place.
Nice to hear you're visiting St. Louis. I'm the About.com Guide to St. Louis, and am always happy to give suggestions on what to do, where to eat, etc. I have a 2 year old myself, so a lot of my opinions are based on how child-friendly a place is.
As a short list, I'd recommend four places in St. Louis. The Magic House (named the #1 children's museum in the country), The City Museum (very funky, and loads of fun) the St. Louis Science Center, and the St. Louis Zoo. Even if you think "you've seen one zoo you've seen them all" - give the St. Louis Zoo a try. Parenting Magazine and Zagats both rank it the best Zoo in the country (and it's free!). While at the Zoo, if the weather's nice, explore the rest of Forest Park (the Zoo sits in Forest Park). The Boathouse is a good place to eat and the trails around it are very nice (again, if it's warm, it's hard to beat brunch at the Boathouse - and the kids will love it too).
Hopefully, you'll have good weather - Spring can be great in St. Louis, with everything blooming. Enjoy your trip!
Stop by again, I'll let you know how Chicago goes!
Funny you said 'you've seen one zoo, you've seen them all', because at first that was my thought. Although now with your comments I am going to make sure that is a place we stop. The Boathouse, is this near the zoo? This trip we really plan to stay away from chain restaurants, so we'll be sure to give it a try, just need to map it out.
I am fairly certain too that The Magic House will be someplace we also go, as far as the The City Museum and the St. Louis Science Center, I am not sure. See, I plan to go to the Field Museum and Children's Museum in Chicago, so I am a little worried about museum overload. Do you have any input on one over the others?
I am really hoping for nice weather, even a little chilly is OK, but I just hope little/no rain. Again, thanks for the advice!
At the Zoo, I recommend the penguin & puffin coast, the children's museum, and the river's edge (especially hippo harbor). One warning, the river's edge is a very naturally designed habitat, so sometimes I've gone and you can't see much. Other times, there are Cheetah cubs frolicking right in front of you.
As far as the Science Center vs. City Museum...the first one's free, while the City Museum is about $10. But the City Museum is a lot more whimsical. If you're going to the Magic House, you could probably skip the other two...
Also, one other restaurant - Crown Candy kitchen is a soda fountain just north of downtown. It's been there since about 1914. It's like stepping back in time and looks like something you'd see in a 1940's movie. Currently their website seems to be down, but it's worth considering. It's been featured on the Food Network a couple of times, but most tourist don't know about it. Great handmade ice cream, shakes, malts, candy - plus basic sandwhiches like grilled cheese, BLTs, hot dogs, etc. Four warnings: it's in a very run down part of town. It still attracts people from all over the region, but you'll definately feel like you're traveling through some sketchy areas to get there. Two: Everything there's original or at least decades old, and it's showing some wear. I like it and think it's part of the charm, but others could be turned off. Three: the booths only seat 4 people (or 3 small kids on one side). There are no other seating options. So if there's more than 4 of you, it's probably not a good option. Finally: lines go out the door even on weekdays - so get there early or late to avoid the lunch crowd. It's not open for dinner.
The boathouse is just down from the Zoo (almost walking distance). Both are in Forest Park. It's definately unique. Again, if it's nice, you sit out on the deck overlooking a small lake, with paddleboats, canoes, ducks and geese.
Let me know if you have other questions,
David