Chicago in The Summer
I left you hangin’ a couple of weeks ago, on where we went on our short (but maximized) family getaway. We headed just a few hours from here to Chicago for a nice change of pace and scenery.
Our little dudes were such trooper tourists this trip! They carried their own backpacks all over the city as we took in all the sites and fun things to do. (We took the train up from Northern Indiana and walked a mile to our hotel.)
Our transportation for the weekend included trains, taxis, and even a water taxi which was a thrill for the boys!
We stayed in the heart of the city at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown/Lakefront – right in the middle of all the action (Navy Pier, The Magnificent Mile, etc.) And the view was pretty magnificent on it’s own.
We loved so many things about this hotel:
- Perfect Location
- Super Friendly Staff
- Indoor Pool (Sometimes Hard to Find in Downtown Chicago)
- Enormous Cook-To-Order Breakfast Spread
- High-Rise Glass Elevators
- 2 Room Suite to Spread Out and Sleep Better
- Evening Snacks To Keep the Travelers Happy
- Feel of Luxury, But Family-Friendly Environment
We maximized our overnight getaway by taking in as much of the city as possible during our short stay. This included a TON of walking for 8 little legs, but they seemed to love being somewhere new so much that the complaints were few.
Of course, we took lots of breaks along the way, including free iPad kid’s entertainment at the Apple Store on Michigan Ave.
And nice 7 minute break on the 150 foot-high Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
And of course a stop at the Lego Store at Water Tower Place was a highlight!
I love making traveling memories as a family, don’t you? Tell me about where YOU’VE been this summer!
Speaking of getaways, Embassy Suites Hotels Facebook Page is hosting an incredible giveaway right now, in which 5 families will win a week long vacation package. Show them your vacation face, and find out more details on how to enter…
{I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador Program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Embassy Suites Hotels and received a one-night complimentary stay at an Embassy Suites Hotel to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}
I love this! Isn’t it amazing to have kids who can walk and schlep their own stuff? It sounds like you guys packed a lot into your trip- Chicago is awesome for that!
I noticed that on our getaway this summer our kids could last so much longer and enjoy things so much more than they used to. We met a group of good friends at a Staybridge in Atalanta. We hung out at the pool, and the four seven year olds on the trip had a BLAST together. Love that the kids are old enough to really start to enjoy away-from-home adventures!
It’s pretty much life-changing!
Looks like fun! We are constantly searching for suite hotels to accommodate our family of six. When they were young like yours, they could share the pullout bed in the suite. Now that they are seventeen, they want a real bed, and it’s hard to find a two bedroom with two beds in one room, and a king in the other. We’ve had some success with Embassy Suites, Residence Inns and Staybridge Inns and Suites. Hotel chains make it very difficult for large families to find rooms online. You would think that a business that caters to families that travel, would recognize that not every family is made up of two parents and two children. Off my soapbox!
Heather mom to 17 year old BBBB
What a fun trip! Chicago is amazing…can’t wait to take our kids there – maybe next summer!?! We’ve been busy enjoying Michigan’s beauty – Traverse City and have trips planned for weekends in Grand Rapids and Tawas, too!
Our family just went to Chicago over the 4th of July. I love that city as it has a lot of cheap/free things for families with children to do! We too enjoyed the “shiny bean” and Navy pier…tried to get into the Sears (Willis) Tower but it was a 2 hours wait…too long for little ones! Glad to see that you had a good time too!