How is Chicago arround Christmas?
 

Hey,
I hope this is the right section to post in.
My family (mother + younger sister - 14yrs) are considering travel options for Christmas this year (we are based in Germany). We originally thought about New York, but figured that Chicago might be an intersting alternative, as we all haven't been there yet.

How is Chicago arround Christmas time, besides the obviously cold temperatures? Is there enough to do and see to not get bored on a 5-6 days stay? Is there anything special to see arround Christmas (e.g. like NYC Christmas tree at Rockefeller)?

Moreover, I would be happy to get some advice on Lodging (considering we are 3 and prefer to stay in one room).

Many thanks!

Cheers

Loads of stuff to do. Ice skating at Millennium Park, tree at Daley Plaza (Christkindlmarket Chicago is also held there), holiday theme windows at some of the major stores, Macys in particular. A couple of the museums have special holiday exhibits (the Science & Industry Museum does a Christmas Around the World exhibit every year). Lots of holiday concerts & such like - I do the sing-along Messiah at the Opera House every year, the Joffrey Ballet puts on Nutcracker every year, the Goodman Theater has an annual production of Scrooge, and so on. HTH.

In addition to the above, there are indoor events at Navy Pier if it gets too cold.

The museums, restaurants, and stores are excellent year round.

With regard to hotels, most any property in the Mag Mile, River North, or Loop areas will have a room with two double beds that could sleep three and will be convenient to the activities noted. If you need three actual beds, better to search for a suite-type property (e.g. Embassy Suites) though many hotels offer rooms with two double beds and a sofa-sleeper.

The 'Holiday EL' can be fun to see or take a ride on. The CTA (our Metro system) decorates one of its trains with thousands of lights and even Santa Claus' sleigh on an open flatbed car and runs it around the city on different routes which are published in advance. This is usually done on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If I'm not in the mountains somewhere, Chicago is my favorite city in the US for Christmastime.

The odds of actually seeing one of these trains, much less being on one, are extremely low. While they do publish a schedule, it's pretty much limited to "the train will be on the Blue line on Saturday". EL lines are long, so the train probably only makes a few round trips the entire day. I only got on one once when I was waiting for my train near the beginning of the line and saw it pass in the other direction. I waited a couple trains and sure enough it came back around, but that was the only time I've even seen one of them.

That having been said, Chicago is GLORIOUS at Christmas - lights on North Michigan Avenue, all the stores decorated, everyone out shopping. You can do the Nutcracker ballet or go to the Goodman for A Christmas Carol. Sure, it might be cold but that's part of the fun.

As a Chicago Resident Christmas in Chicago is phenoimal. I would strongly encourage you to go. I live in the Chicago area so I can tell you their is a lot to do in Chicago. You could easily spend a day at the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Their is just so much to do.

It looks like that the John Hancock building is going to have an ice rink for the winter. Skating 94 floors above the ground, anyone?

You will love Chicago at Christmas, agree with all of the above suggestions.

What happens if you slip and can't stop on time - that would be QUITE a drop.

I believe they provide parachutes upon request, but I would still confirm that before you go.

Just looked and opens Jan 1

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/2...kate10.article

will have to try that out as will be back there in January

Odd that they won't open until then. I saw a news clip yesterday showing a tourist child skating there. Must have been a set-up.

Ah, found a story about it.
http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/bl...ppery-details/

As a Canadian used to lots of snow, I've always been UNpleasantly surprised by Chicago's rain-to-freezing-rain-to-snow patterns. Just bring the appropriate clothes!

HTSC