The Windy City

[kingcreole]

OK, so here in about two weeks, me, the wife and the kiddies will be in Chicago doing the old-fashioned-Griswold-family-vacation bit. Our last day there is kind of open, so I'm open to some suggestions, restaurants in particular.

We're spending one day at Navy Pier, and one day we're doing the aquarium, Federal Reserve (at my daughter's request) and the Sears Tower.

I'm looking for a bona fide Chicago pizza joint among other places. I love eating at local joints, even if though the kiddies whine about how "We never go to McDonald's!" So I'm open for those who know Shee-ca-go well.

No Cubs game, btw. They're outta town. And I wouldn't go to a ChiSox game if I had my kids with me. If they beat the **** out of a Royals first-base coach, what the hell are they going to do to a group of Royals fans?

 

[Chi City 81]

If you want deep dish, Geno's East is a fine choice.

 

[pallister]

Deep dish is not Chicago pizza, damnit! It's for the tourists, and you know it, Doc. Shame.

King, are you going to be staying downtown or near O'Hare?

 

[Chi City 81]

Deep dish is not Chicago pizza, damnit! It's for the tourists, and you know it, Doc. Shame.

King, are you going to be staying downtown or near O'Hare?

Yeah, but he asked for a good place for it. I figured I'd help him out.

 

[Rambler]

Lou Malnati's on Wells for pizza.

RE WHITE SOX: Please reconsider--the park is very fan friendly and the kids will have a blast. Don't let two drug-addled assholes tarnish an entire franchise.

 

[Cadet]

Walker Bros.

 

[kingcreole]

Deep dish is not Chicago pizza, damnit! It's for the tourists, and you know it, Doc. Shame.

King, are you going to be staying downtown or near O'Hare?

Actually staying out in the burbs. Romeoville, I believe it's called. Near Aurora and Wheaton. We have friends in Wheaton, and we're going to see them once or so.

 

[kingcreole]

RE WHITE SOX: Please reconsider--the park is very fan friendly and the kids will have a blast. Don't let two drug-addled assholes tarnish an entire franchise.

From what I've heard (shockingly, I've never been to Comiskey myself), I have to concur. There is no more danger going to a Sox game than there is going to Yankee Stadium or Turner Field or any number of parks.

Hmm ... maybe I'll look into it then. I love going to ballparks that I never get to otherwise visit, and Comiskey sounds like the real deal.

EDIT -- ChiSox are in Philly/Pittsburgh. No go.

 

[doubledown68]

OK, so here in about two weeks, me, the wife and the kiddies will be in Chicago doing the old-fashioned-Griswold-family-vacation bit. Our last day there is kind of open, so I'm open to some suggestions, restaurants in particular.

We're spending one day at Navy Pier, and one day we're doing the aquarium, Federal Reserve (at my daughter's request) and the Sears Tower.

I'm looking for a bona fide Chicago pizza joint among other places. I love eating at local joints, even if though the kiddies whine about how "We never go to McDonald's!" So I'm open for those who know Shee-ca-go well.

No Cubs game, btw. They're outta town. And I wouldn't go to a ChiSox game if I had my kids with me. If they beat the **** out of a Royals first-base coach, what the hell are they going to do to a group of Royals fans?

I went to a Royals-Sox game last year... and I'm sure I was the only Royals fans. You'll get a few comments about how the team sucks, but nothing original. I was not assaulted... and it helped the Sox won that game.

 

[21]

How old are the kids?

Wow, Romeoville is REALLY far from the city. And nowhere near Wheaton/Aurora, I don't think. Closer to Joliet. You may not want to go back and forth. Any chance you'd stay in Chicago for a night?

 

[Cadet]

If you're staying in that area, will you be able to catch a Fire game at Bridgeview?

 

[Rambler]

The aquarium is terrific. If you have time, walk over to the Adler Planetarium and/or the Field Museum. Both are first-rate and all part of the "Museum Campus" which is a beautiful area right on the lake that encourages walking. On a nice day there isn't a better place to be.
In fact, you can walk there along the lake from Navy Pier. It's probably a mile but is scenic and safe and has plenty of places to stop.

 

[kingcreole]

How old are the kids?

Wow, Romeoville is REALLY far from the city. You may not want to go back and forth. Any chance you'd stay in Chicago for a night?

Kids are 8, 4, 14 months. We'll be doing the public transit thing. Yeah, it's about a 45-minute ride each day, but the way we're looking at it, the kids never get to ride a train like that, so I'm sure they'll be fairly giddy.

 

[Rambler]

Yeah, Romeoville (and Wheaton) are not close to the city. You are talking day trips (though the Metra isn't bad--and it's right by Sears Tower) if you want to do the city.

 

[kingcreole]

If you're staying in that area, will you be able to catch a Fire game at Bridgeview?

At D.C.

Isn't there a couple independent minor league teams around there?

 

[pallister]

Fair enough, Doc. But you know Chicago pizza is an issue dear to my heart (and surrounding arteries).

King, the best neighborhood places all serve thin crust pizza that is incredible (especially Italian sausage). But all the ones I know are on the far NW side. Where you're staying, though, that area is out of the way, though. As for a chain, try Home Run Inn. The location I last went to was down the road from the Cell a bit, but I'm pretty sure there's a closer one to downtown.

As for a Sox game, it really is a great park to watch a game and the kids would have tons of interactive things to do. When I was last in town, I bought tickets to take my dad to a game. He's in a wheelchair most of the time, and the Cell is very, very accessible. Safety was never an issue in putting the outing together. Then again, I was rooting for the home team.

 

[pallister]

Come to think of it, there's likely a Home Runn Inn in one of the burbs you'll bein or the surrounding towns.

 

[kingcreole]

Yeah, Romeoville (and Wheaton) are not close to the city. You are talking day trips (though the Metra isn't bad--and it's right by Sears Tower) if you want to do the city.

Yeah, the Metra takes you right to the Union Station, right be the Sears Tower and the Fed Reserve, and it looks like there are tons of buses that go by that can take us anywhere. I don't mind driving in metro areas, but being from Kansas City is one thing, and I've had no problems the last couple years doing the Twin Cities and the Metroplex, but Chicago is a different cat.

 

[Cadet]

The kids will be entertained for five minutes on the train. Then they will be bored for another 40. I don't care how angelic your little ones are, I've seen it happen a million times. You'll be able to take that trip one day, maybe two at best.

Re: minor leagues
Schaumberg Flyers
Kane County Cougars

 

[Rambler]

This will help if you're looking for things to do:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/