My family and I are planning a large driving adventure this summer. We’re looking at the windy city barbecue in late June In Chicago.

We are wondering if this is appropriate for kids age 9 and 11.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cant comment on the BBQ but if you are going to drive long distance, delay a bit and come up to Marquette for our 4th of July. Fireworks over the lake, much cooler weather and your chances of getting shot are way lower.

Are you talking about the restaurant or the festival?

The festival is a little past "late June"... It's 13-15 July.

Wear body armor

Stay off the Eisenhower! Practice evasive manuvers in your vehicle after installing bulletproof glass. Learn the meaning of gang signs. Do not wear blue or red bandanna. Get rid of your out of state license plate. It is not like Boca. Do not ride the El or take the CTA busses.

quote:

barbecue

Go to O'Hare - take flight to IAH - Uber to Killen's BBQ in Pearland - Uber back to IAH with return flight to O'Hare - then rent car or Uber - drive to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria for some Deep Dish and a nice cold beer!

Yes the festival in July.

To answer your question, as far as kids are concerned. These things are adult venues for the most part. I have taken my kids to things like this when they were elementary school age. Jazz Fest in NOLA, and other concerts. Gotta keep a close watch on them. There will be plenty of security I am sure.

The Fest is more geared toward adults. Not saying the kids, the Mrs and you wouldn't have a good time.

Lots of great BBQ Restaurants and chefs come together, good music too.

Security is good, so not much worry about the savages. Just don't venture too far west or south of the United Center. That's "Indian Territory".

How long do you plan on spending here in Chicago? Let me know, I'll see what else is going on here and let you know.

There's Ball games, great museums, more great restaurants than you can shake a stick at, shopping, and stuff for the kids.

Let me know!

Thank you very much for your offer. The wife and I are a little suspect of the crime rate, she grew up in Naperville, but a lot has changed in 35 years. We are going to spend about 10 days in Chi-Town, so we should hit all of the major spots. We will be staying downtown at the Hilton Chicago Downtown for a few days and then another hotel by the Lincoln Park Zoo.

While we are there, the kids are going to a Cubs baseball camp for 5 days in Palatine and we will be in Schamuberg, for that portion.

Any good spots in that area would be welcome?
Shopping and Restaurants mostly.

Was thinking of a water taxi during the day to china town, is that safe?

Also, what is the best way to get to a night time white sox game, (we have the cubs under control)

Thank you very much for your help!

We used to live in Schaumburg by Golf Rd. If you like Japanese, Daruma used to be exceptional. Yu's Mandarin was also good. They would make fresh noodles in front of you. For a kid friendly thing you could do Medieval times. Don't remember the food being that great but the show was pretty enjoyable. Lots of other places but those are a few I know out in the burbs.

If you can find a La Pasidita (on Milwaukee downtown or elsewhere), they make a delicious steak burrito.

Timdogg6:

Shopping? If you're staying at the Hilton in Downtown, the Mag Mile is where you'd want to go. Michigan Ave, from the River going north, just a little over a mile of some fantastic stores. The water Taxi's are fine, and you'll have no problems in Chinatown. We do have problems with crime, but there's going to be a LARGE police presence in the Downtown area for the future. Our new Mayor is embarrassed, and doesn't want to loose the tourism.

Getting to and from the Sox game, there's Taxi, Uber or the "El" Train (Red Line). there's a beefed up Police presence during the games to 35th Street.

Here's my "usual" when people on the Sig Forum ask me about Chicago:


So, it’s FOOD & BOOZE you want. Well, get ready (and buy loose fitting pants!):

PIZZA: Pizzeria Uno or Due` are about the best. South Loop area has Flo & Santos (13th & Wabash), across the street from Flo & Santo’s is Scout, nice bar with good sights, there is a new Taco Bar that just opened up south of Scout that everyone seems to be raving about. Lou Malnati’s (local chain restaurant) is another Chicago land favorite. Giordano’s (another local chain) isn’t half bad. There’s a metric ton of pretty great family pizza places thru ought the city, the little neighborhood joints, just ask, we’ll let you know what’s good and what tastes like wet cardboard. (Pay no attention to the haters talking bad about deep dish! You got to try it!) Hot dog joints are pretty much the same; some outstanding little out-of-the-way joints in the neighborhoods! (Fat Johnny’s! But you better bring a whole mess of friends with guns, the neighborhood aint the greatest!) Ricobenes is always a “go to” place – get a breaded steak sandwich. (26th & Wells area) 22nd and Michigan is Windy City Ribs, a nice, out of the way BBQ place that serves great BBQ – try the blackened shrimp or the sample platter.


STEAKS: The Palm on Wacker Dr, in the Swiss Hotel! Smith & Wollenski’s, Chicago Chop House, Gibsons, Catch 35, Mortons the Steakhouse, Gene Georgetti’s

PORK: THE shrine to all things Porcine is PUBLICAN, in the West Loop area walking distance from Randolph St / Restaurant Row and a few good bars on Madison Ave – Third Rail, Beer Bistro, Crossroads.

ITALIAN: Rosebud, La Scarola, Maggiano’s, Carmine’s, Trattoria No. 10. Osteria Via Stato, If you’re in the Little Italy neighborhood; Francesca’s on Taylor St, Pompeii, Davanti or Tuscany.

MEXICAN / SPANISH: Topolobampo / Frontera grill – Rick Bayless’ places OUTSTANDING! Salpicon, Zapatista, XOCO, Café Ba-ba-Reeba, Tapas Valencia, Nacional 27, Café Iberico.

THE OTHERS: I suggest you check out “Restaurant Row” on Randolph. Not too far from Down town. Here’s a website: http://www.chicagospropertysho...et.html#.VFPit9h0x9A there isn’t a bad restaurant there! Girl & the goat, Au Cheval, DeCero/Hello Tacos, Green St smoked meats, Belly Q, Smoque, CH Distillery are all phenomenal! Avec & Blackbeard (next door to each other) are also excellent choices.
Hugo’s Frog bar, Tavern on Rush, Carmine’s, Heaven On Seven, Phil Stefani’s, McCormick & Schmick’s are all in the Rush & Division St / Viagra Triangle area. Along with a large accompaniment of bars in the same area.
Old Town (South of North Ave on Wells St) has another collection of phenomenal places to eat and drink! And Second City is right there, catch a comedy show and laugh your butt off!

Chinatown- A short distance from Downtown. There’s a ton of great places there too. In Chinatown Square – north side of Archer, check out Joy Yee, good price and a decent size plate of food. There’s also Strings, it’s a local chain for Ramen noodles. Honestly, the best place I’ve had Ramen outside of Japan. Get the Tonkatasu)!

There’s some great museums in Chicago too. Science & Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Dr.) is a great place. Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are all on Museum Campus, within walking distance of each other (1200 S Lake Shore Dr). if you’re in that neighborhood, 12th street beach, Del Campo’s Tacos. You can easily spend a whole day in just the Museum of Science and Industry or the Field Museum. The Art Museum is in Grant Park (200 S Michigan). There’s Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, as well as Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park – pretty cool place if you have kids. Even just a walk along the river and the lakefront! There’s a Broadcast Museum that’s outstanding as well.

Sports? We’ve got whatever you want. Sox, and that other team that (finally) won last year, the Cubs. Bulls for basketball, Hawks, and the Bears. Depending on what season you’re in town.

The Chicago architectural boat tour along the river is well worth it! Navy Pier is kind of a tourist trap, but a nice place to walk around and there’s a water taxi from Navy Pier to the Museum Campus. The Treasury Dept has a small museum on LaSalle & Jackson about money, pretty cool for a quick hour or so. Chicago Board of Trade is right around the corner, there’s still an observation deck to see the traders in The Pit. The Sears Tower (I refuse to say Willis Tower) is a pretty neat place to check out too!

Feel like spending some money? Hit the Magnificent Mile! Michigan Ave, just north of the River. The River walk isn’t half bad to walk around either, there’s City Winery – nice place for a drink.

Honestly, there’s about a million things to do & see. A lot depends on how much time you’re going to be in town, where you’re staying and what you’re into. If you’re into the Opera and the Symphony, I can’t recommend you go to Reggie’s (21st and State St - Surprisingly good burgers!) and listen to punk / heavy metal. There’s some great Blues clubs (Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy’s Legends), Jazz & Rock. There’s always a concert going on somewhere in this city. Again, a lot depends on what you’re into.

If you get down near Rush Street, Rosebud of Rush has good Italian.

Thanks CPDSIG.. I do go to Chicago every few years.. will keep this list!

This is so unbelievably helpful. Thank you!!

If your going to be in Schaumberg there's a restaurant in the Schaumberg airport called Pilot Petes thats good and entertaining, the kids will love it, so will you. Good unlimited fish frys, the Lobster Nachos are especially good. Reasonable prices.

Downtown Chicago, Thai/Sushi? I have to suggest Butterfly, 3 locations.Informal and reasonable prices.

Another great activity that is relatively cheap is to take the water taxi from downtown to ChinaTown. All day pass for $10 per. Walk around, have some lunch.

https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/

I’d recommend The Moon Palace
https://www.yelp.com/biz/moon-...e-restaurant-chicago

https://www.tripadvisor.com/At...hicago_Illinois.html