When downtown you now have another concierge desk ready to answer those “where are” and “how do you get there” questions.
Visiting Chicago can be overwhelming without a little concierge help. You know to toss questions at a hotel concierge but when downtown you now have another concierge desk ready to answer those “where are” and “how do you get there” questions.
A new Chicago Visitors Center recently opened at Macy's on State Street
Macy’s on State Street added a terrific Visitor Information Center in June in conjunction with Choose Chicago, the city’s main tourist information bureau.
The Macy’s center has a concierge desk, maps, brochures and interactive kiosks that have dining, attractions and shopping suggestions.
When you stop in the store, ask for directions to the fountain and its main escalators. Then go down to lower level near the candy and food area to find the Visitor Information Center.
The kiosks there will not merely light up with restaurant suggestions for several types of cuisines and tell you how to get to your restaurant of choice by bus, car or walking, it will also print out the directions so you don’t have to write them down. Same goes for attractions such as museums and shopping categories.
Restaurant choices and how to get there are on interactive kiosks
However, you can also check at the desk for savings passes and other information.
Macy’s has the International and Domestic Savings Program that gives a 10 percent discount on most store purchases to visitors from outside the store’s shopping region. Qualifying documentation such as a government issued ID is needed. The Savings Pass can be printed at interactive kiosks or from the concierge desk. BTW, remember on your travels to ask for a Macy’s savings pass when at the company’s other stores.
If you live in one of the states that felt winter’s arctic temps or wild winds or unpredicted floods (and that is most of the United States), you deserve a treat.
If you live in one of the states that felt winter’s arctic temps or wild winds or unpredicted floods (and that is most of the United States), you deserve a treat.
So, don’t wait until you can actually escape to somewhere fun, interesting or colorful for Spring Break. Start planning now while the skies are grey or work impinges on sleep. Part of the fun of getting away is thinking about where to go and what to do when you get there.
Here are some tips to help you decide but they require fairly quick action because spaces and tickets go quickly.
Become familiar with cruise line deals. For example: Go to Princess to find half-price fares. The cruise line delivers what it promises. However, other cruise lines such as Norwegian also do last minute deals. The lines want to book their cabins and some of the destinations are perfect for a spring break.
Tie your spring break with something you’d love to try or do such as expert cooking.
Members of a food enthusiasts class who wanted to learn more about Southwest dishes and preparations are at the San Antonio CIA site
The CIA, not the spy organization, but the Culinary Institute of America, offers food enthusiast courses at its Hyde Park site in New York, its Napa site in California and its San Antonio site in Texas. The places are in interesting vacation destinations.
Tie the spring break to a sport your family loves such as baseball’s spring training.
Go to Major League Baseball for the schedule to see what ties in with your spring break. By baseball definitions these are warm vacation destinations. The Cactus League is in Arizona and the Grapefruit League is in Florida.
Bonus tip: Have fun so don’t worry about what you can’t change.
Chicago simply does not stay still long enough to make any experience old or boring.
It doesn’t matter if you have visited Chicago or are now thinking of putting the city on your summer vacation list. Chicago simply does not stay still long enough to make any experience old or boring.
A tourist notes the "Bean" arch and reflections
Millennium Park, home to the city’s famed “Cloud Gate” (“The Bean”) and Jay Pritzker Pavilion, keeps adding and changing sculptures and concerts.
The Art Institute of Chicago, connected to Millennium Park by the Sky Bridge over Monroe, moves from one block buster exhibition to the next. The theater scene, home of 200 live stage companies including Goodman and Steppenwolf Theatres and Broadway productions, keep turning out Jeff and Tony award winners.
Just as important, new restaurants pop up weekly and new and remodeled hotels cater to today’s plugged-in generation and suburbanites who want to take advantage of Chicago’s downtown attractions.
With so much going on, planning a weekend can either be fun or a challenge. Here are five top Chicago destinations that can be centerpieces of a great vacation minus the confusing what-to-do part.
Look for Marc Chagall's windows at the east end of the Art Institute of Chicago
You don’t have to know anything about art to find something fascinating at the Art Institute of Chicago. The world-class museum happens to be showcasing French Impressionism from the Musee d’Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and its own collection now through Sept. 29, 2013. However, adults and youngsters ooh and ah at the miniature furniture and interiors in the Thorne Rooms and Medieval arms and armor.
If you make it to Chicago before Aug. 18 you can still catch Goodman’s beautiful production of “The Jungle Book.” Another hot 2013 ticket is the “Book of Mormon.” At the Bank of America Theater through Oct. 06, 2013. This is the writers’ and director’s recently revised production which many critics think is even better than the original.
Visitors often talk about and recommend the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s river boat tour. However if the price or times don’t match your pocket book or schedule you’ll do fine with the other boat companies’ architecture tours. If you don’t mind walking you’ll like the Architecture Foundation’s tours that go inside buildings.
If you can't ID these Chicago landmarks now you will be able to after you take the Film Tour or an architecture boat ride.
Movie and television producers love Chicago. To see where some of the 80 movies set in Chicago were shot such as “Dark Knight” and “Blues Brothers” take the Chicago Film Tour. The guides are knowledgeable. You see parts of Chicago that even locals have not visited. And you see clips on the bus while traveling.
You’ve heard of China Town, which is fun and interesting. But other Chicago neighborhoods also have their own character and unique restaurants. You can learn more about the city and explore some of its culinary scene with Chicago Tours and Sidewalk Tours.
If hoping to travel on a peak week or weekend, be sure to book way ahead to get what you want.
If thinking about a getaway during Presidents' Weekend or Spring Break look for flights and rooms now.
Travel companies predict that vacation trips will increase in 2013.
If so, it’s not too late to start planning your trip to find the best deals. You also don’t want to hear sorry, we’re booked during Presidents’ Weekend, Spring Break or whatever.
“People are really starting to think about and book their spring break
vacations,” said Mike Going, president of Milwaukee-based Funjet Vacations.
“Now that the weather has turned cold and the holidays are over, everyone is ready for a warm, sunny vacation — which means that hotels and flights book up very quickly in January and February.”
January might sound a bit early to look at destinations and flights but Going said, “January is the peak booking month for spring and summer vacation.
The questions you should now be considering are where to go and how to save money.
In answer to the destination question Mark Drusch, Chief Supplier Relations Officer of CheapOair, a major online travel agency said, “Latin America; specifically Brazil, Panama, Colombia and Galapagos, the Gulf Coast, Oregon (specifically since this part of the country is relatively unexplored, and offers ocean, mountains and a great culinary scene) and South Africa.”
Drusch, who worked for major airlines, offered a few insider tips on savings and bookings.
Be sure to check fees, taxes and other details when comparing flight deals
He suggested that travelers look at deals offered by online travel agencies, particularly for daily specials to find best airfares, hotels and car rentals. But they should also know there are best days and times to book flights.
“Always check airline tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. The airline RM systems update their demand algorithms overnight, therefore available seats are released in the morning,” Drusch said.
He also recommended taking advantage of email travel alerts and social media. “People may not want to be receiving another email, but fare alerts instantly let you know when a price for a certain flight has changed. On social media, a lot of companies post last minute “fire sales” where prices can be slashed up to 50%,” he said.
Because airlines now have a variety of fees and options, Drusch warned that consumers should be sure they are purchasing what they want and know what is included when comparing prices.
Two basic tips heard in the industry is 1. if hoping to travel on a peak week or weekend, be sure to book way ahead to get what you want and 2. you are likely to find better deals when you can be flexible.
The inevitable “oh, no” is on the horizon. No matter if you plan to travel this holiday season or someone is visiting you, there will likely be a travel snag or oops somewhere along the way.
Warning: The inevitable “oh, no” is on the horizon. No matter if you plan to travel this holiday season or someone is visiting you, there will likely be a travel snag or oops somewhere along the way. Busy as we are, planning really does make a difference.
Travel on the holiday or off-peak hours for better rates and fewer crowds. Photo is AA terminal at O'Hare Airport.
Here are 10 tips, five for travelers and five for hosts that you may think you know or that you think you don’t need but invariably happen and matter. They could help turn “oh, no” into “ho, ho.
If traveling
* Old-fashioned advice that is still true: You think you stopped the newspapers and mail but you should also set a light timer in a couple of rooms and ask a friend or relative to check your mailbox or stoop for other items. Thieves also enjoy holiday time.
* Tech advice that is easy to forget: Charge your phone, pad, Kindle, whatever ahead of time but be sure to pack all of the charger plugs and wires. Sometimes the plug separates in an outlet and you have a worthless wire with you. No kidding. This does happen.
* Old-fashioned advice easy to forget: Just because it is winter does not mean you don’t need sun protection in a cream screen and hat. Don’t wait until you arrive because you may be in the sun before you have time to shop. Skin cancer is on the rise.
* Tech advice that is even truer today: You just think your passwords make you secure. If you are using free wifi in airports and public cafes there maybe someone in the area who has sniffer technology that can pick up the internet traffic floating around the lounge and area. Be sure the site you are accessing begins with https which signifies it is a secure site. Don’t go to http sites in public places.
* General advice you hopefully won’t need: Give your contact information to a neighbor so that if something happens to your home or condo, you can be reached. Storms and outages happen. Of course you know that, right?
Airports have museum and other giftshops to pick up last minute presents.
If hosting
* Good intentions don’t always make good hosts: Holiday goodies can be yummy but check food and other allergies before guests come. Most people are aware of peanut allergies but some people are also allergic to all tree nuts and others need gluten-free or lactose-free foods. Luckily, grocery stores now have gluten-free and lactose free shelves and packages say whether product contains nuts or was made in a place that had nuts.
* Age does make a difference: Consider the age of your guests when planning activities and outfitting your home. You may need a pet or child gate. You won’t want to leave out small candies and popcorn that can cause choking or breakable items at child level. You may not mind if guests bring their dog but did you know dogs should not have chocolate so you have to put it out of reach?
Thousands of lights outside and miniature railroads and landmarks inside turn the Chicago Botanic Garden into a holiday destination.
* Find out ahead of time what movies or shows your guests might like and try to get tickets before they come. Popular shows and even movie-times do sell-out so you don’t want to be disappointed.
* Plan down-time: You don’t have to be doing something out of the house all the time. You can get movies on Netflix and at the library and download e-books from the library. Put out a couple of jigsaw puzzles and a Sudoku or crossword puzzle book.
* Look for fun out-of-the-house activities: Search ahead of time for the price, times and freebies at ice rinks, museums and walking or driving holiday light shows.
Before, during and after a mega storm, the next item after worrying about the basics of shelter, food and water for themselves, friends and relatives, is good weather and transportation information.
Before, during and after a mega storm, the next item people worry about after shelter, food and water for themselves, friends and relatives, is up-to-date weather and transportation information.
Sandy brought more than rain and flooding. The hurricane turned tropical storm also resulted in snow as it interacted with other weather systems. Knowing about road conditions becomes even more important when heading into winter.
Here are some sites that have reliable statistics and other data:
For weather: AccuWeather has up-todate information with additional weather warnings from Justin Roberti at State College, PA.
Among his latest information is that the 1977 Hurricane Gladys was the strongest hurricane north of Cape Hatteras at a low barometric pressure of 27.73 inches. Sandy’s low barometric pressure was offshore Monday at 27.76 inches.
Also on the site are rain and snow totals and surges. According to the AccuWeather site the highest surges were at The Battery, NY at 9 feet above normal, Kings Point, NY at 12.5 feet above normal and New Haven, CT at 9 feet above normal.
For air traffic and cancellations: Go to Flight Aware. For Sandy the site showed more than 8,000 cancellations Monday and more than 6,000 Tuesday by airline, airport and destination. The site also has flight tracker information.
Along with checking your flight departure, learn what is happening at destination or transfer airports.
Rail transportation: See Amtrak for general information and visit alerts for disruptions.
Road: Each state has a department of transportation that tells road conditions. I highly recommend checking these state sites before starting out on a road trip. In Illinois it is IDOT. However, the federal government also has a DOT Web site . Visit resources for services and alerts.
Photos by Jodie Jacobs
Please comment below to share your favorite travel resource.
I wonder: Is the road or train ride oft taken really less of a travel trip then a journey through less familiar surroundings?
Fold the newspaper. Buy a cup of coffee. Clamber aboard.
I’m about to head to downtown Chicago again surrounded by commuters if it is early morning and concert and theater goers if it is late afternoon.
Many commuter trains disgorge riders at the Ogilvie Transportation Center downtown Chicago where commuters hurry to work and visitors take time to see the sights
We all opt for a window seat if available. But how many of us really look out the window?
Heads bury in sports or business sections. Other travelers pull out their Blackberries, Smart Phones, iPads, lap tops. What good is the window seat except for shoulder support?
Once they reach downtown, commuters head to their offices with rapid strides or jostle for space on a bus. In the afternoon, show goers walk or hail a cab.
Did any of them know they passed a stunning art deco entryway or architecturally important building?
After returning from a publishing seminar on a recent windy (of course, it is Chicago) but sunny late afternoon, I was lucky enough to be sitting near a gaggle of youngsters and parents returning to Wisconsin after a day in Chicago.
“Wow.” “I loved Chicago.” “It’s so clean.” “I saw…..” And so the conversation went.
The comments continued as the commuter train whipped past warehouses, condos, cemeteries, parks, busy streets and churches in the city and changed to spacious yards, larger homes, shopping strips and more open areas in the suburbs.
“Did you see…? “Look.”
I put away the Sudoku and crossword puzzles and looked.
Yes, I love Chicago and its buildings, but am I really looking?
Office workers often hurry past the 1929 Art Deco Carbon and Carbide Building at 230 N. Michigan but visitors stop because the historic building now houses the Hard Rock Hotel
Sometimes, I walk instead of taking a bus from the train to the museums, meetings, shows and restaurants I cover. But rarely do I slow my pace to admire or snap an art deco doorway or sculpture just inside an office building.
Visitors don’t have that familiarity breeds blindness disease. They snap away with phones and serious camera equipment.
I also love the suburbs and taking scenic drives or visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. But when on a local train traveling through very familiar (I think) suburbs, my thoughts wander to grocery shopping, articles to do and event schedules.
Wait, was that a new sculpture in that suburb’s downtown? Hmm, I don’t think I knew that coffee shop was there, close to the train station. If I hadn’t heard that “look” earlier during the ride I would have missed seeing the sculpture and shop.
Driving around my area proves to be little better. The next day is for within-five miles errands. Armed with water bottle, I buckle up and start down the driveway.
A mild winter and early spring has encouraged early blooms and early construction. Both distract from quick errands.
The slower pace means more time to recall and look for what my granddaughter sees when she sits in the back seat peering out the window.
“Look. Archways,” she often says.
Yes, today I actually look for branches reaching over streets to form bowers.
“Weeee,” she says as we crest a street. Yes, I notice our neighborhood does have some rolling roads.
As I park the car at a frequented grocery, I sit and wonder: Is the road or train ride oft taken really less of a travel trip then a journey through less familiar surroundings?
It is about enjoying the seascape of Lake Michigan and creatures of the sea at the Shedd Aquarium.
Penguins, dolphins and jelly fish make the Shedd Aquarium a top Chicago attraction
However, Chicago is best enjoyed when you know how to get around the town.
Here are five tips to doing Chicago like a travel pro:
If flying in to O’Hare International Airport, you can take the subway system downtown. The Chicago Transit Authority, popularly called the CTA, has a station downstairs of O’Hare’s baggage claim area. Its Blue Line will take you from O’Hare to Randolph Street near theaters and hotels. Visit CTA and go to Trip Planner. The Trip Planner extimates travel time at about 45 minutes but driving the Kennedy Highway from the airport can take an hour when backed up and then driving into the downtown area from the highway can take a good 15 minutes more.
Chicago is also known for its architecture. The Marina Towers on the left and Trump Tower, far right, are on the north side of the Chicago River just west of Michigan Avenue
If taking an Amtrak train to Chicago’s Union Station, you have a choice of buses to take from Union Station’s cross streets to the city’s main shopping areas and attractions. Go to CTA Trip Planner for options.
Chicago is as much a destination for suburbanites and residents of nearby towns as it is for visitors. But public transportation is still a good choice to avoid traffic congestion and highly taxed parking garages. Visit Metra for stations and times and visit the CTA Trip Planner for bus options from the Ogilvie Transportation Center or Union Station.
The Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza is a Chicago landmark but the city also has sculptures by well-known artists throughout the downtown including Joan Miro's Chicago across from the plaza and Claes Oldenburg's Batcolumn just west of the Metra station
Chicago is a CityPASS town. The pass saves big bucks and time when trying to fit in more than one attraction. It allows entry to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium or Art Institute, the SkyDeck at Willis Tower (formerly Sears) and the Museum of Science and Industry or the John Hancock Observatory. The pass typically means not having to stand in line to for tickets.
World class museums are certainly a draw but there also are events, neighborhoods, public sculpture, parks and many more sights and activities so check out the city’s official visitor site: Explore Chicago to see what is happening when you plan to come to town. The site also lists hotel packages. Now wishing you world class fun.
Having a place to relax, watch TV while sipping a glass of wine or have free Wi-Fi access can go a long way to easing flight delays
Remember the snow storms that shut down airports on the East Coast last year? Were you or a family member recently delayed because Chicago was experiencing high winds? Even if you are traveling to or from a balmy climate, winter’s weather woes may put your plane or the flight of someone in the family on hold at a different airport.
You might find items of interest such as this statue of Lincoln near O'Hare's Terminal 2 or you can wait in comfort in an airline's club lounge
You can get to know the airport better where you are stuck. But having a place to relax, watch TV while sipping a glass of wine or have free Wi-Fi access can go a long way to easing flight delays.
The holidays are a great time to make travel easier for someone you love (including yourself) by giving an airline club membership. However, the recipient will appreciate the gift throughout the year.
What you should know
American Airlines
AA has more than 40 Admirals Clubs and connections to 30 more lounges through its international partners. If the recipient is already an AA Advantage member, club membership may be discounted. Also Advantage miles may be used to purchase membership. If not a member, the person can be enrolled for additional benefits at no cost.
Club benefits include complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, computers with hi-speed internet access and Wi-Fi. In addition, a service desk assists with plane and seat changes. Seating and TV is more comfortable. Some clubs have showers and children’s areas. Many clubs have complimentary beer and wine.
Costs range from $500 for a new, single annual membership (or 80,000 Advantage miles) to $400 (or 55,000 Advantage miles) for a new, single AAdvantage platinum member. Add $325 for spouse. A 30 day Admirals Club pass (from date of purchase) is $99.
United Airlines (includes Continental Airlines)
United Club, (formerly United Red Carpet Club and Continental Presidents Club) offers the same benefits as Admirals Clubs do for AA travelers. With international partners, the joint clubs have more than 50 lounge locations. As with AA the recipient should join the Milage Plus program.
Club cost for a United MilagePlus member is $475 (62,500 miles)) Premier MilagePlus member cost is $450. Add $225 (30,000 miles) to add a spouse or domestic partner. A one day Club Pass is $39.
A little fall travel homework now saves trip stress later on
The signs are there, teasing the Northern US and Midwestern states with nippy air and barely tinged maple and aspen leaves. It’s time to plan a fall color getaway.
Fall comes in all colors along the forested back roads of Door County in northern Wisconsin
But before you pencil in your destination there are a few tips to consider so that fall color fever does not have to be treated with two aspirins a day.
1. Even though weekends may be easier on your work schedule, it won’t be easier on your drive or stay at popular fall destinations.
Do try to go during the week or you will find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic along normally scenic roads, staying at less desirable locations and grabbing “to-go” from a drive-in instead of relaxing at a good local restaurant.
2. Once you have determined where you want to go, take a look at that area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau websites for accommodation listings.
An overlook at Peninsula Park in Door County reveals warm tangerines, ambers and shimmering golds
It is OK to call the CVB for suggestions and recommendations. They want visitors to be happy. They may even have a list of places in your price range and that meet your needs that are booked and those with vacancies.
3. Accommodations in popular color destinations are often filled months, sometimes a year, ahead so book as early as possible. Also, broaden your options to include Bed & Breakfasts, condominium rentals and suite hotels.
Remember that a place that may sound pricey but includes breakfast could end up cheaper than somewhere without breakfast. Also a condominium with kitchen facilities may also save on meal costs.
4. Choose an area that has more to do than drive around looking for the best snapshot to post on Facebook or go into the family album. Areas rich in fall color often have additional attractions such as wineries, harvest festivals and art galleries.
Visitors go to Southern Illinois for its wine trail and find out the Shawnee Forest is in the best kept color secret category except to people who live there
Knowing more about an area than its reputation for color may help deciding when and where to go.
5. Whether you have a destination in mind or not, you will have a better idea on when peak color comes if you check a state’s website. States want you to come so they have color watch and color information.
Knowing ahead that color comes the last week in September in one state or area of a state and mid-October in another state or area, will help you schedule your trip.
Here are some Midwestern scenic and color websites sites to check (other states have similar sites):
Follow the red border roads on the Leelanau Peninsula near Traverse City because they lead to wineries, cute towns, great overlooks and more fall color
