Chicago 21st - 29th November 2014
When it came to organizing our yearly Thanksgiving trip for this year we came upon a problem - we've just about done everything within driving distance (well at least that you can easily drive to in a week or so) so this year we started looking further afield. We finally settled on Chicago - the kids and I had never been there before and Andy never as a tourist, and to make it even more exciting we decided to get there by train - Amtrak to be precise - and to be exact - a sleeping car!
Day 1 - Millis to Lake Shore Limited Sleeping Car
Our train was due to Leave South Station at about 11:55 am. we looked at a number of options for getting to the station and in the end decided that the easiest and cheapest option would be to drive the car to the Rt128 Westwood Station and leave the car there catch the MBTA into South Station. It all went according to plan and we rocked up at South Station at around 10am. Checked out bags in with no issues then headed for the Club Ascela. As we're technically first class passengers we have full access to the trains lounges - which was nice as we had quite a wait - not only were we early but of course the train was late.
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| Waiting in Club Ascela |
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| Very cool ceiling in the club |
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| Still waiting |
We finally got on the train and got to check out our sleeping apartment. I knew it was going to be small so was pretty prepares - but wow it really was small - but very well equipped and quite comfortable.
Since the dining car wasn't going to join us till Albany we had lunch in the club car. We reached Albany a bit late but made up some time connecting with the New York time so were only about 1 hour late leaving Albany. Finally got dinner around 8pm (Josh actually fell asleep on me at the table at dinner), then back to our sleeping car to make up our beds and sleep - kids were totally excited about sleeping on the top bunks.
Day 2 - Lake Shore Limited Sleeping Car - Chicago
Woke up on train somewhere between Ohio and Indiana - still a couple of hours still to go before we hit Chicago. Today was Lexie's Birthday so first up was presents. Lexie got a camera and camera case from us which she was very excited about.
Breakfast again on the train. We were supposed to reach Chicago around 9:30 am but we were running about 3 hours late so it was closer to midday when we arrived. Grabbed a taxi and headed to our hotel. The Residence Inn River North Chicago. It was a good hotel, a great location just a short walk into downtown with lots of restaurants etc nearby.
After a short break at the hotel we headed out to check out the city. about 1.5 blocks from the hotel however Josh told us that he needed to go to the toilet - argghh. So I took Josh back to the hotel and organized to Meet Andy and Lexie at the Verizon store on the Magnificent Mile. Unfortunately when Josh and I finally got to where the store was supposed to be there was just a big sign saying we've moved to right down the other end of the city.....and of course there was no Andy or Lexie in Sight......Worse still tonight was the tree lighting parade and there were thousands of people already starting to line the street and big signs saying that parts of the street would be closed on at 3:30 (in half an hours time) due to the parade. again I said argghh. I could only assume that they had headed for the new store and took off after them, trying to not lose Josh in the crowds of people and cursing Andy every step of the way......Thankfully we did find them at the new store and we were all reunited. Andy picked up what he needed and then we headed back out. We decided that since we were right across the road from the Hancock Building we should head up and check out the views. From everything I'd read you are better off going to the lounge one floor above the tourist deck which doesn't cost anything but still has the same views so we did that. found ourselves a table as close to the view as we could and ordered our $15 cocktails - ouch - (it was a cocktail bar after all) and strawberry smoothies for the kids. Was really nice watching the sun set over Chicago.
We headed back down around 5pm to find some dinner - We decided we didn't really want to stand around and wait for the parade. But on our way to dinner we actually ran across the very start of the parade waiting to get going. We got to see at least half the floats anyway before it even started.
since it was Lexie's Birthday dinner she got to choose the restaurant - and guess what was just up the road from out hotel. a Melting Pot so of course we had to stop there for a birthday celebration.
Day 3 - Downtown Chicago
For our first full day in Chicago we decided to just walk around the main downtown area. We headed down across the river and into Downtown. Our first stop was at Macy's were we checked out the Christmas window displays. They were actually really good - And Lexie had a ball with her new camera.
Even Australia was represented.
Just around the corner we came across a large bronze Bull which Josh had to ride.
found a bull to ride.
We then headed for Millennium Park to check out the Bean. We all loved the bean and spent ages playing with the reflections.
Checked out the rest of the art in Millennium Park too. There were an abundance of huge heads.
The Crown fountain - It wasn't spitting unfortunately
These were quite amazing. From front on they were only about 1 foot thick but from this angle they look like full heads.
The gardens in Millennium Park weren't looking their best - full of dead plants - and unfortunately the BP bridge to the big playground was closed.
We headed back past the Pritzker Pavilion
and through the theatre district back into downtown. On one street corner we found this busker with a cute little puppet theatre. The kids loved watching him Especially when we and others around us offered money and the two little puppets took it and then thanked the crowd. So cute.
Then headed down to Daley Plaza to check out the German Christkindlemarket. Reminded me so much of our day in Frankfurt 8 years ago at the farmers market. Tried some yummy German goodies - bratwurst and pretzels and warm spiced red wine.
Day 4 - Chicago Planetarium
We first went to the kids show featuring Big Bird and Elmo which was a bit too young. Really for under 5s only - but still it was fun. We then headed for the main show which was a bit better, got into more of the solar system. Lexie loved the premise of being in a space ship flying through the solar system in a spaceship called Max. Josh however slept through the whole thing - hey at least he was quiet.
Had a quick bite to eat at the cafeteria.
Then a third show about the Chicago night sky and all the constellations - that was the one I really wanted to see. It started snowing whilst we were inside the planatarium but thankfully by the time we were ready to leave it had stopped again - still it was very cold. But what a great view of the city from the front steps of the Planetarium.
We had to walk halfway back to the aquarium before we found a taxi, then headed back to the hotel.
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