Our family of 4 which includes 2 older teenagers will visit Chicago over Easter weekend. We plan to see Les Miserables at the Cadillac Palace. Other than that we have no plans. This is our first trip to Chicago. We will have a car. We want a safe and family friendly place. Have Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold. I have been looking at Priceline and Hotwire, but do not know the area we want to be in and am scared about having no guarantee on the bed types. Any suggestions for things we should not miss? Also, a good place for an Easter meal? I am just excited I do not have to cook it! Thanks in advance for your help!

recommendation 1 - ditch the car unless you know you're driving somewhere. you'll pay way more in parking then it's worth.

Well, we are driving to Chicago, so do you mean we should stay outside the city and take the El into the city? Thanks.

No, for sure not, stay downtown, really enjoy Chicago. See this thread for getting around on public transportation: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399767

There is an exhibit at the MCA (museum of contemporary art) for which the theme is travel: http://www.mcachicago.org/

The MCA is only a couple blocks away from the shopping at Water Tower Place and North Michigan Ave.
BTW, there is a yummy snack to be had in Water Tower Place, see this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=402923

Also in that north end of Michigan Ave is the Hancock Building. I like the observation deck of the Hancock Building http://www.hancock-observatory.com/ Vs the Sears Tower http://www.the-skydeck.com/homeDefault.htm

Another exhibit that is hot right now is the Jackie O exhibit at the Field Museum: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/jkennedy/

Take the red line El south to Chinatown for a meal and trinket shopping or take it north to Argyle St if you are in the mood for Vietnamese.

By Easter meal do you mean traditional type cooking (turkey or ham) or a good restaurant to dine in?

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately, our trip has had to be postponed as my father is coming to visit from Florida over Easter as he has some business matters he must attend to that week. I appreciate your help and advice. We hope to reschedule our trip for another weekend. Thanks again.

A blessing in disguise really. The weather in March is still kind of crappy here in Chicago. You visit to Chicago will be much more enjoyable when the weather improves in April and May.

Nope. Sorry, I ASSuMEd you were renting.

Bring this thread back up when you get your trip rescheduled, we should be able to come up with some time-specific suggestions.

Thanks again everyone for your kindness and help. I really appreciate it!