Chicago Tips

A lot of you know that I Chicago is my second home.  I love it there.  I go so much that people often ask me for tips.

First, if you belong to the St. Louis Zoo, bring your membership card.  If you visit Lincoln Park Zoo you can get 10% off purchases of food and souvenirs.  Lincoln Park is free admission.  This is the zoo that is downtown.  Brookfield Zoo is not free and is not downtown.   Brookfield also does not appear to participate in the reciprocal zoo program.  Read this.  It is pretty neat really for any zoo in the U.S.  If you belong to one, and traveling to another city look to see what discounts you can get at other zoos.

Second, check to see if any of the museums you plan to visit offer discount days for IL residents.  I have listed the more common museums with information and links.

Shedd's Aquarium - That has the Illinois Resident Discount days (free general admission).   Bank of America discount information (if you have a bank of america/merrill lynch atm/credit/debit card), active military personnel, and IL educator discount information.  Be prepared to stand in line for about an hour on a good day!  (Unless you want to pay the higher admission fees).  Here is a link to the prices and hours.

Museum of Science and Industry - That lists the various discounts provided and this lists the specific free days for 2014 for Illinois residents.  Here are the regular admission prices and hours.  I have not been here but the disney exhibit they have until May 4th looks pretty interesting!  This museum reciprocates if you have a members to St. Louis Science Center (or any science museum on the list)

Adler Planetarium - Scroll to the bottom and it has the IL resident free days.  So far it is only listing January dates.  They will update as the year goes on.  IL teachers and active military personnel get free admission.  This museum reciprocates if you have a members to St. Louis Science Center (or any science museum on the list)

Art Institute of Chicago (Our daughter's Favorite) - Winter weekdays are free for IL residents Jan. 6 through Feb. 12.  IL residents also get free Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.

Field Museum - That lists the free admission days for IL Residents.  So far only the January dates are showing.  The plan your visit link indicates IL teachers and active military have free admission every day. That also has admission prices and hours.  This museum reciprocates if you have a members to St. Louis Science Center (or any science museum on the list)

History Museum - That has the free IL resident days and this has the hours. This was pretty interesting three years ago and our daughter has actually requested to go back but she is fascinated with Chicago.

Childrens Museum - Free first sunday of the month for kids under 15.  Free IL teachers and military personnel.  As well as a link to $1 off coupon.  The coupon changes so keep checking back.   Here are hours and regular admission.  Looks like if you belong to St. Louis Children's Museum (aka magic house) or any children's museum on the Association of Children's Museum list you can get 50% off admission.

Transportation (to Chicago):
I love taking Amtrak.  You can leave from St. Louis (usually about $10 cheaper per roundtrip but takes hour longer (5-6hours)) or leave from Centralia (4-5 hours).  Kids under 2 are free, kids 2-15 are half price.   If you are staying downtown I highly recommend this v. driving.  parking is astronomical!!!!

I have taken Megabus and well I hate it.  I have nothing good to say except the fares are low but you get what you pay for.  Some people like it.  I didn't. They make no accomodations for families as an FYI.  if you travel with kids they will not guarantee you sit with them.  no matter the age.

Transportation (around Chicago):
If you have a smart phone, the CTA is pretty easy to figure out.  Just don't ask me about how to get passes in advance.  I am confused with the new Ventra system (and so are they).

Tours:
The double decker tours are neat to see.  I have done this several times and would go again.  Especially since I have yet to do the neighborhood tours!

The architectural tours by boat are amazing too!  Gives you a lot of history of the different buildings.

More stuff to do that I may recap later...Willis Tower (sears tower), John Hancock, Navy Pier (which is being renovated), American Girl, Millennium Park, and Garrett's Popcorn is a must!