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A Bargain Weekend in Chicago
Day One
Hotels lower their rates, attractions discount admission, and free entertainment and events abound. You'll save cash without skimping on fun.
Major museums, attractions and kid-pleasing chain restaurants cluster around North Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," the glitzy downtown shopping district that runs parallel to Lake Michigan. You'll find bargains -- in hotel rates and stores -- even in this normally pricey territory, and more good deals in the nearby River North and Loop neighborhoods.
Kids burn off energy at lively, noisy indoor areas on Navy Pier, the converted dock that juts for almost a mile into Lake Michigan. On weekends, free craft stations are set up where kids can make seasonal take-home projects such as paperplate snowmen, garlands, brownbag puppets and mittens made from construction paper and decorated with glitter and sequins. Close by, weekends, free craft stations are set up where kids can make seasonal take-home projects such as paperplate snowmen, garlands, brownbag puppets and mittens made from construction paper and decorated with glitter and sequins. Close by, clowns coax giggles and applause from the crowds gathered around the Pavilion Stage near the IMAX Theater, while the free outdoor ice rink rents skates for $3.50.
If you can start your weekend early, you can take advantage of free admission to the Chicago Children's Museum on Thursday evenings. Kids can hunt for dinosaur bones at a mock archaeological dig, shop for groceries in a pint-size market and climb a two-story tree house. Through April 11, view a special exhibit, "Can You Tell Me How To Get to Sesame Street?"
Even the trip back to your hotel promises more excitement. During the brilliant "Light Nights on The Magnificent Mile" festival from January 3 through the end of February, trees along North Michigan Avenue twinkle with millions of lights, and spotlights shine on skyscrapers, bathing them in colors. Saturday evenings during the festival, fireworks blast off by the landmark Wrigley Building along the Chicago River.
Nearby, families descend steps to renowned Billy Goat Tavern & Grill. Articles plastering the walls tell how owner William "Goat" Sianis cursed the Cubs when his pet goat was ejected fromWrigley Field during the 1945 World Series. Cooks shout "cheezborger" to arriving customers in rapid fire, just like in the old Saturday Night Live skits, and kids go home with shortorder chef hats. A burger, chips and soda run about $6.
