Steve

Where should my family stay (kids - 10, 8 and 1 yr) while visitng Chicago over Thanksgiving? What are the holiday events to see/do as well?

ll

I was there last month for meetings and stayed at the Crowne Plaza Silversmith. It was a very nice, restored old building, and I had a large suite for $199 that would work well for a family. It was very near the Art Institute and some restaurants, but Michigan Ave shopping was quite a hike, maybe 10 long blocks. The train to Midway stops right in front of the hotel, so return trip was easy and cheap. Have fun.

BTilke

Have you checked availability on hotels. Starting on the Saturday (2 days after Thanksgiving), the overwhelming majority of Chicago hotels will be completely booked. It's the week of the world's largest medical meeting (about 65,000 attending). If you plan to check out by Saturday, you should be fine, but if you're planning to stay over til Sunday, start checking around ASAP for hotel rooms and don't expect any discounted rooms on Saturday or Sunday night.

Mike

Go to Priceline, rooms in downtown for that weekend are going for about $125 per night.

viv

We called over 20 downtown Chicago hotels to stay the week-end after Thanksgiving and they're all booked. Mike, which hotels does Priceline say are available? The only ones we found with availability were not particularly attractive.

sandy

There is a parade on Michigan Ave. on Saturday morning. Check out the store windows on State street. Great Christmas displays. One of the museums has a Christmas tree from all over the world display and kids performing ethnic dances. See the lights on Michigan Ave. in the evening. Check out Metromix.com for particulars.

rachel

We go to Chicago almost every Thanksgiving. Other posters are correct, its impossible or impossibly expensive to stay in the downtown (loop, mag mile) area after Friday. Rates go up unbelievably, if you can get a room. We have gotten great rates over the years thru quikbook.com. There are several suite hotels that would accomodate your family nicely. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on Ohio Street (there is also one by the Navy Pier) last year. The hotel was well located and lovely, but service left a lot to be desired. The hotel was grossly understaffed. There is a Homewood Suites in the Mag Mile area, Omni (all suites), and I think a Doubletree. We like to stay in the Magnificent Mile area-lots of places to walk to and a short drive to other sights. There is lots to do. Many of the musuems are actually open on T-giving, There is a parade on Thanksgiving Day that is fun. If you have girls, there is an American Girl store which most girls love. My boys love Niketown and some other sporting good store they have found. Ed Debevics is a fun rest. for families (old 50s diner style). We havent been there but there's supposed to be a great zoo in the Lincoln park area. Our kids favorite place is the Shedd Aquarium. The Navy Pier would be fun for a couple of hours too. The Circus is usually in town over Thanksgiving-which means there is no NHL hockey or NBA basketball. There is a minor league hockey team there which is fun-less expensive as NHL hockey and still enjoyable. You will not have a lack of htings to do.

Mike

Viv, we booked Sutton Place, Sat. night for $125, and we also got Renaissance Chicago Hotel on Wacker, for $120. Both Stays are from Thurs. 11/28/02 to Sun. 12/01/02. Both on Priceline. Go to Biddingfortravel.com, read everything and bid away.

Bill I

The Friday after Thanksgiving is usually jammed with people, especially if the weather is nice(& it can be nice on that day) especially along the shopping areas in & around Watertower place. One of the busiest shopping days of the years. Great for people watching. Some of the stores, if not all of them, will have their Christmas decorations up & displays in the windows.