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CHICAGO: A family trip that will blow you away!
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Chicago is a premier destination spot for a family vacation. In this city, you’ll find first-rate museums, a world-famous aquarium, miles of lakefront walkways and bicycle paths, plus great art and architecture. Whether your interests include visiting Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park or shopping on Michigan Avenue, the windy city delivers.

We initially chose the Omni Hotel Chicago for its location on Michigan Avenue and proximity to many downtown attractions like the John Hancock Building, the Chicago Art Institute and Nordstrom’s. We will definitely be returning as a result of the wonderful service we received while staying there. Located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, (Along this stretch you will find large department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Crate and Barrel, and Macy’s) the Omni Hotel is one of the area’s best hotels and home to Michigan Avenue’s only all-suite luxury accommodations. We were able to walk to many points of interest, attractions and some incredible restaurants. I encourage hotel guests to check out the Select Guest Loyalty Program- designed to delight you with the things you specifically enjoy. We had complimentary coffee and juice delivered to our room each morning. Another included perk is free internet service. The Select Guest® program is free and tailors your personal preferences on every stay and provides you with exclusive offers and perks reserved just for members. From the time we pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, the staff went above and beyond to please our family. We found out on the day we checked out that guests of the Oprah Winfrey show stay exclusively at the Omni Hotel. Now, I know why!

We decided to venture out approximately 30 miles West of Chicago to the suburb of Naperville. We spent the day shopping at the Chicago Premium Outlets. Chicago Premium Outlets is more than just a great collection of the finest designer labels and brands- it’s the newest shopping destination. Over 120 stores like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Rue 21 kept us shopping for hours. That evening, we stayed at one of the nicest hotels I have ever visited. Hotel Arista opened in September of 2008. In Greece, a land known for its epic hospitality, Arista means simply “the best,” which is exactly what guests can expect to find when visiting. Hotel Arista offers 144 residential-style guestrooms designed with the best in modern amenities including headboards equipped with reading lights, well-lit marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and televisions embedded in the mirrors. Flat-panel high-definition televisions, iPod docking stations and WiFi capabilities are standard. We had dessert at the hotel’s restaurant, SugarToad. The service was first rate and the food exceptional! To say that the Hotel Arista exceeded our expectations just doesn’t seem to cover the “WOW” factor we experienced.

When scheduling your trip, Bike and Roll is a great way to explore the city, see the sites, and get around town in a fun, healthy, and green way. Bike and Roll Chicago offers fun and easy bike and Segway tours. Join professional guides and explore Chicago’s spectacular lakefront trail and neighborhoods. Visit Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, and all of Chicago’s top attractions. Their rental fleet includes recreation bikes, transportation bikes, professional road bikes and kids equipment. I highly recommend the Amazing Lakefront tour. This two to three hour kid friendly ride includes it all: beaches, lagoons, gardens, animals, architecture and good times! Visit ww.bikeandroll.com

CityPass is easy to buy and use. Chicago CityPass is a carefully selected collection of Chicago’s most popular, most famous attractions, priced a whopping 47% less than the cost of tickets purchased separately. Inside each Chicago CityPass booklet are five actual admission tickets, each with a little tip revealing a CityPass secret to skip main ticket lines. Plan an action-packed weekend -- or take up to nine leisurely days -- to explore Chicago’s shops, restaurants, and neighborhoods. Booklets provide you with attraction information, transportation directions, best times to visit, a map, and expert advice on where to find distinctive Chicago tastes, goods, and off-beat places Chicago CityPass offer one admission to each attraction: 1. Shedd Aquarium: VIP ticket valid for aquarium galleries & special exhibits, Amazon Rising, Oceanarium, Wild Reef, and 4D Theater 2. The Field Museum & Underground Adventure: General admission to all permanent exhibits 3. Adler Planetarium: General admission & two theater shows 4. Museum of Science and Industry & OMNIMAX: General admission & one Omnimax show 5. John Hancock Observatory: Fast Pass admission, multimedia Sky Tour, and free coffee in Expression Café OR Skydeck Chicago Fast Pass: Fast Pass admission Visit ww.citypass.com. In just a few clicks a print-at-home E-ticket will save shipping costs. Trade it for a CityPass booklet at the first Chicago CityPass attraction you visit. Booklets can be shipped directly to you.

Other places to Visit
While in Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street
312-742-2000
http://www.lpzoo.com The zoo is open 365 days of the year and admission is free.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
(312) 595-PIER http://www.navypier.com

Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph Street
(312) 742-1168
http://www.millenniumpark.org
Free to the public, the park hosts family friendly events all year round, including ice-skating, family concerts and interactive games.

Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park
Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South)

From April to mid-October, the fountain’s water display shoots an impressive 150 feet into the air every hour. At dusk, the display is augmented with music and lights.

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