Chicago 2006 Christmas

We decided this year to go on a trip for Christmas. Living in Florida we decided where can we go and see snow!!!???  Chicago of course!!!!! Well.......... NO SNOW!! But we still had a great time. We travelled with our 7 year old son.

Christmas in Chicago

1st day- We arrived from Chicago O'hare and decided to get the visitor pass for the CTA (Subway and buses) GREAT DEAL!! for $20 a piece you can ride the subway and buses for 7 days.  Worth the money. We arrived about 1pm so we just decided to do some exploring- We stayed at the Seneca hotel on Chestnut Street and found this a very great location.

2nd day- We got up early and enjoyed the Continental breakfast at our hotel and headed  out to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest. WOW!!! THis was a great place, alot of holiday fun. I even saw Chicago Native Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under). This was the first tv/movie star I have ever seen and I was so excited, but I did restrain myself and did not become the "weird fan". Still it was cool to see someone famous.  We also visited Santa and the Children's Museum at the pier. What a full day!

3rd day- We packed up, caught the bus to the Field Museum and checked out "sue" the dinosaur and the other exhibits. Great museum, but not too entertaining for a 7 year old. He liked the exhibits but wanted to move on quickly to "what's next". You may want to check out this museum on your own and leave the kids somewhere else that would be more fun.

4th day ( Christmas Eve) We decided to hit Christkindlemarket for its final day and check out the Christmas windows on State street shopping. We also visited the John Hancock Building (right next door to our hotel). Great views.  Wow. A great day. A great place to be for Christmas Eve.

5th day (Christmas Day) Santa somehow knew that we were in Chicago and left some presents in our hotel room. My son was really amazed that Santa found us way up north.  We rode the bus to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Even though it was Christmas day the zoo was open, the animals can all get inside in warm buildings so you just have to walk from building to building and it is not so cold. Very nice zoo (and we have seen alot of them).   Found alot of restaurants  open with Christmas buffets (a little pricey though) we decided on Chinese food and found a great Szechwan restaurant on Ohio/Michigan. Great food and atmosphere. Great Christmas Day.

6th Day- Museum of Science and Industry- Again we caught the bus to the MOSI and spent the day. They had a great "Frogs" display (worth the extra moneY). Great museum, more hands on stuff to keep a little one happy.

7th day- Time to leave. Just a little more shopping and off on the bus to the subway to O'hare. Those visitor passes for the CTA really did come in handy.

We had a great time in Chicago, just wished for some Christmas snow. Guess you can't have everything!!!!!!!!!! We will be back.