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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2019 10:48:00 GMT -5
^ you're welcome. LOL. . I'm a planner, so I always have things mapped out time wise. if you havne't noticed, the Field/Aquarium/Planetarium are all next to each other (tho I'd skip Planetarium on City Pass, and do the Art Institute). I also chose to do the Science Museum instead of the 360 Observatory (since had already done the higher "Skydeck" at Willis Tower.
Aquarium only will take 2-3 hours (or less, if you skip the shows included with CityPass). . what i did was both Field and Aquarium together on same day. Then next day Art Institute & Willis tower. . then a few days later used my last pass for Science Museum (you have I think 9 days to use them once you activate the City Pass. . but you can use the tickets in any order)
the Science Museum is very hands on, and I enjoyed the heck out of (took about 4 hours to do everything). . *BUT* it's the only thing on CityPass that's a little difficult to get to (it's past where the infamous Cabrini Green Housing projects used to sit). If I hadn't had a friend - who was presenting at C2E2 and had offered to take me there on the day after the convention? would have cost a bundle for a cab ride there, since the Trains don't seem to go there. I guess Uber would be cheaper  enjoy! |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jun 18, 2019 12:28:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2019 12:36:11 GMT -5
LOL. . . that "cracks" me up
tho, point out, there's no chance it will not be open - there are 4 separate "skydeck windows" so even if they close this one, there's still 2 available (the 3rd is used for the souvenir photograph shots they sell downstairs).
and, of course, the wrap around windows are still there on the other 3 sides of the building .
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 27, 2019 14:02:31 GMT -5
@bert, @mechagodzilla@robertwallen2001@slambradley
Just wanted to thank you all for your advice re Chicago. The streets were clean, the buses were superb, and the el was wonderful. I wish we could have stayed longer and done more, but I have to say, our days were packed!
Bert, we got a City Pass and boy, were you right about the advantages. We went to the Art Institute, the Field, and the Museum of Science and Industry and skipped enormous lines, got into free showings of films and tours, and in the Art Institute, were given devices for audio accompaniment that was superb.
Each of those museums was a day unto itself, and we still didn't see everything. we could have.
We also went to the Monday night game at Wrigley Field, another delightful experience. (I'd still give Fenway the edge, though, as a great place to see a game and enjoy the street festival atmosphere.) We had a ball there... except for the new-style fan that I guess you see in lots of places. Up and down to the refreshment stand constantly. Are you here to watch a game or not? Aargh!
I have to say that Chicagoans were as friendly as could be -- and I'm not just talking about those who are paid to be who went far beyond what you'd expect. We spoke to folks on the street, in the museums, in the hotel, on the buses and trains, really, everywhere, and they were all welcoming and happy to help or just talk.
We were also thrilled to see so many people at the museums. You'd expect to see lots of kids at the Field (Natural History), but they were also well represented at the two other museums we visited. Can't tell you happy it made us to see families bringing their kids to the museums as opposed to the mass migrations that so many millions make to the Disney Gouge Palaces and places like them... for reasons I get, but don't really understand or sympathize with.
Thanks again, my friends.
PS: Our next excursion is to DC in October, where we've been several times, but not since our kids were little, maybe 22 years ago or so. So, if anyone has suggestions about that area, especially about places you've gone that have opened since then, please feel free!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2019 16:15:37 GMT -5
Prince Hal ... I love Chicago and it is one of best cities in the USA. I have attended baseball games in both White Sox and Cubs. For the record ... been in Chicago 5 times in my life and every time I go there ... it is a treat.
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 27, 2019 16:21:49 GMT -5
Prince Hal ... I love Chicago and it is one of best cities in the USA. I have attended baseball games in both White Sox and Cubs. For the record ... been in Chicago 5 times in my life and every time I go there ... it is a treat. I can see why, mecha! We had a wonderful time. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2019 16:55:08 GMT -5
you're very welcome. as to DC -- too bad you're not going over the Summer Months, as several of the "big" Smithsonians have Summer Hours and stay open till ~7pm (with crowds really dying down after 5pm, which would let you do a lot). if you care about the Smithsonians, I'd recommend staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Foggy Bottom. It's clean, relatively affordable (for the location), and walking distance to the National Mall/Washington Monument as well as the DC Metro Station at George Washington University (to get to the Capitol & most of the Smithsonians. as to the Museums themselves? I'd suggest Postal Museum (which is close to Union Station), the Native American museum (with a stellar zagat rated food court - each tribe has their own stand, so lots of different spices/foods to try), and of course, African American, History, Natural Science, and Air & Space. (if you have a car, the satellite museum out by Dulles is fantastic as well with full size Blackbird, Space Shuttle, Enola Gay, and tons of other things on display - tho you have to pay to park here. . all the Smithonians are free). the Washington Monument is a must do (there's a small museum on top), but book your passes on line well before you go. It's timed tours, and they "sell out". . tho I was able to talk our way onto a tour, I'd expect that's the exception. also book your Capitol tour for early in the morning. . if you're among the 1st group you can get some amazing pics of the mostly empty rotunda/artwork. You can't get into the Chambers without tickets, but you can write/call your Representative and they will mail you free ones. The best thing we did while in Washington was a "Old Town Trolley" tour called "Monuments by Moonlight" - an evening several hour tour that brings you to the Iwo Jima memorial, Arlington Cemetary, the Jefferson memorial, the MLK memorial, and Lincoln Memorial . . .but drives by several other things too, such as the White House (tho no stop here). hope that helps!  |
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 28, 2019 18:41:29 GMT -5
Absolutely, @bert !
Many of the spots you mentioned are on our list.
I'd really love to see the Supreme Court in session. Will look into that.
Have never been to Mt. Vernon. Think we may go this trip.
The moonlight tour sounds great, too.
I would also love to go to the medical oddities museum whose name escapes me now.
Unfortunately, neither the Folger nor the Washington Shakespeare company will be doing a Shakespeare the week/s we can go down.
I love going to the Lincoln Memorial and reading his second inaugural speech.
Looking inot whatever tours we can arrange through our Congressman and Senator Warren, too.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 22:27:24 GMT -5
hint: the Lincoln Memorial has an elevator! Go in on the left side of the stairs - it's behind the "gift shop". . and will let you out just to the left of the main statue.
great way to avoid all the steps after a long day of sightseeing, but still get to the famous seated Lincoln, and get the iconic pic of the Washington monument from the top of the steps.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2019 0:28:39 GMT -5
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