Search Results for: blog five more reasons to visit chicago

Having Fun in Chicago

My family always has fun during our trips to Chicago. The Windy City offers dozens of kid-friendly attractions that are as educational as they are fun-filled. If you have never visited the Midwestern metropolis or you are returning sans wheels this spring, then consider taking advantage of one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Chicago Neighborhood Tours allows you to sit back and let someone else do the driving while you enjoy the sights on themed bus rides. This year the city’s Office of Tourism has added several new themed half-day bus tours to its offerings. Take a look: HYDE PARK … Continue reading →

More End of the Summer Travel Destinations

Where have you gone this summer? Did you finally take that family trip to Hawaii or were you able to scrape up enough cash to jet off to Europe? With the economy in a slump many families have opted to stay closer to home this summer and it has paid off. You needn’t take a long flight or drive 300 miles to have the vacation of a lifetime; rather if you live near popular tourist attractions you can simply make the most of what’s in your own backyard. Miami, Florida The ritzy neighborhoods on the north end of Miami Beach … Continue reading →

It’s a Gas—More Hotels Helping You Save Money This Summer

Who knew it would come to this? That hotels would actually be paying you to visit them? With the slew of gas saving travel packages being offered by lodgings from coast to coast, that’s pretty much what is happening–hotels, motels, inns and B&Bs across the country don’t want you to put the brakes on your summer road trip so they are providing generous discounts and rebates to travelers who choose to stay at their properties. Here’s a look at the latest offerings: COLORADO You can thank the Aspen Chamber of Commerce for this next gas rebate. The group is currently … Continue reading →

Chicago on a Shoestring

This is it. The countdown to my favorite event of the summer is on and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Soon I will enjoy an entire day where I don’t count a single calorie or contemplate what a combination of deep-fried pickles, Pad Thai, a Flintstones-sized BBQ turkey leg, alligator nuggets, and chocolate-dipped strawberry cheesecake on a stick will do to my digestive tract. If you too dream of experiencing the epicurean delight, also known as The Taste of Chicago, but your budget is far smaller than your appetite, check out the following Windy City travel deals: A Taste of … Continue reading →

End of the Year Travel to Chicago

I realize some parts of the country are just barely showing signs of spring, but there are some people who are already making their travel plans for the fall and winter. (I know because I am related to some of them.) With the price of gas nearing record highs and the cost of air travel soaring it might not be a bad idea to secure tickets while the prices are still reasonable. I have always maintained that Chicago is a destination for all seasons. No matter what time of the year you plan to visit there is something to keep … Continue reading →

Cruising Chicago and the Caribbean

If you are looking to take to the seas on a Caribbean cruise booking early will allow you to save a ton of money in the long run. Right now Orbitz is offering a great deal on an eight-night Caribbean odyssey from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Thomas for $3,298. (That’s a discount of 40 percent.) The price might sound steep but the ultra-luxe Seabourn Legend is an all-suite ship and your journey will include stops in Grand Turk Island; St. John on U.S. Virgin Islands; Gustavia on St. Barths; Marigot on Saint Martin; Virgin Gorda; and Charlotte Amalie on St. … Continue reading →

Reasons to Visit Chicago During the Summer Months

So, now that you know why visiting Chicago in the spring is such a great idea let’s turn our attention to what the Windy City has to offer during the rest of the year. In the month of June Grant Park becomes a mecca for blues fans. The hugely popular (and always jam packed) Chicago Blues Festival takes place the first weekend in June and the best part—–it’s free! June is also the month when the most decadent food festival in the country takes place. Taste of Chicago runs for 10 days from late June through the July 4th holiday … Continue reading →

Springtime in Chicago

I just returned from a family trip to Hawaii, which included connections at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. While there my 3-year-old daughter paid her dinosaur pal a visit in Terminal One and once again ran her little legs off at the “Kids on the Fly” play area. The 2,000-square-foot indoor playground features a two-story control tower, airplane with interactive cockpit and cargo hold, luggage slide, a ticket counter, a helicopter, and my daughter’s favorite feature a pint-sized ice-cream stand where tots can scoop their own mock sweet treats into paper cones. We had more than two hours to kill between … Continue reading →

Winter Family Fun in Chicago

In my previous blog I listed some of the spectacular outdoor activities that await you in Chicago this winter. I failed to mention that the city also offers a host of family friendly events for those of you who can only tolerate the cold for a short period of time (that would be me). I can’t stand the cold (being born and raised in Hawaii does that to a person), but my love for Chicago outweighs my distaste for Mother Nature’s brutal winter assault so my family makes the trip no matter what the weather. We just stick to the … Continue reading →

Winter Vacations in Chicago

If you like your winters cold then Chicago is your kind of town. I happen to love the Windy City (no matter what season), but I realize there are many travelers who would prefer a week in Hawaii to seven days in a chilly midwestern metropolis. Those people don’t know what they are missing. Of course, the beauty of so many people having that mindset is that traffic is lighter, lines at attractions are shorter, you don’t have to wait for a seat at area restaurants, shops are not packed and area hotels offer incredible winter deals those willing to … Continue reading →