According to most Route 66 traditionalist, historians, and
devotees Chicago is the start of Route 66. In transportation speak Chicago is
actually called the Eastern Terminus of Route 66, i.e. the beginning and/or
end. Historically and also in transportation terms Chicago is the start of
Route 66 since the city is the transportation hub of the United States. At the
time the route was developed Chicago was the railroad hub of the US, and still
is to this day. Since then though the city has also been able to boasts having
O'Hare Airport as the world’s busiest airport, and the Dan-Ryan Expressway as
the nations and one of the world’s busiest stretches of multi-lane highway.
Besides all this though Chicago is one other thing; the best
spot to start your Route 66 trip hands down. Chicago may seem like a dauntingly
huge city, but it is surprising easy to get around in your personal vehicle or
through a wide variety of public transportation methods. The city also offers an
excellent variety of activities and attractions for everyone in your family.
Chicago offers excellent hotels many 4 or five star, world
class dining in restaurants owned and operated by celebrity chefs, superlative
shopping opportunities on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue), and
pro-sports teams galore. Add to all this museums with treasures you have only
seen on TV or in books, and entertainment options of all types.
I know what you’re thinking it sounds like Chicago will cost
you half your vacation budget to visit. Although the city offers a lot of first
class luxury a family can still indulge in what the city has to offer without
worrying about blowing the family vacation bankroll.
Before you visit Chicago on your Route 66 vacation, take
some time to determine what you want to see and just how long you can visit the
city. I have to warn you that Chicago is such an extraordinary place with so
much to see and do and can easily become a time bandit, so try to know how much
time you do have before you arrive.
Here are some great places to visit on your trip that won't
break the bank and allow you to experience Chicago and Route 66.
Lou Mitchell's:
Anyone who knows anything about traveling the route will
tell you that you need to make Lou Mitchells one of your stops. The first one
in fact if you are heading West or perhaps the last one if you are going east.
Lou Mitchells is located near the corner of Jackson Blvd and Jefferson, at 565
W. Jackson, which is also east, bound 66. The restaurant has numerous Route 66
decorations and memorabilia, but has a more important place in history as the
place Milk Duds where first introduced. The food here is excellent and there
are options for everyone in the family including a children's menu. Prices are
very reasonable too, and you can get everyone a good meal without going broke.
Some of the favorites here are their homemade Chicken Pot Pies, Milk Dud
Pancakes, and a turkey platter that will make you think Thanksgiving has
arrived early. As a word of warning Lou Mitchell's is only open from 5:30 AM to
3 PM Monday through Saturday and 7 AM to 3 PM on Sundays, also they do not take
debit or credit cards, but there is an ATM near the entrance. Also if you’re in
a rush because you spent too much time shopping on Michigan Ave, you can phone
ahead for a to-go order in, including box lunches.
The Berghoff:
Located at 17 W Adams (West bound 66), the Berghoff is one
of Chicago's premier dining establishments. Behind its bar you will find City
of Chicago Liquor license #1, meaning they have been around for a while. A lot of
tourist pass the Berghoff by thinking it looks a little too expensive for their
budgets, especially with kids along. Actually although the Berghoff has prices
slightly higher than the afore mentioned Lou Mitchell's, most people who
venture in find that prices in the Berghoff are very reasonable, and the food
beyond their expectations. The restaurant also has a kids menu and more then
welcomes kids and families.
The Berghoff offers fine quality German and eastern European
foods. They also make their own phenomenal Root Beer, Beer, and Brandy. Some of
the favorites here are their one of kind Sauerbraten, Mascarpone Mac and
Cheese, and Schnitzels. Be sure to get the kids some of their root beer. Their
hours run from 11AM - 9 PM, Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays.
Keep in mind the restaurants I mentioned here I named do to
proximity to Route 66's start in Chicago, and family friendliness. Chicago has
hundreds of fantastic dining options depending on what you crave, how far off
the Route 66 path you want to get, and how much you want to spend.
Millennium Park:
This is kids and tourist central and kids really do love it
here. One of the parks biggest attractions in a sculpture known as "The
Cloud Gate", but locals call it "The Bean" it's a sculpture
shaped like a large bean and covered with a mirrored finish. Tourists from
around the world come here to get their pictures taken with, or in the
reflection of "The Bean".
But one of the favorite spots for kids in the park is a
place called the "Crown Fountain". The fountain is two block towers
with moving projections of everyday Chicagoans that at certain intervals
"spit" water from the towers. On warm days you will find kids here
galore playing in the water of these fountains and waiting for those lips to
pucker and water comes spitting out. You may want to put a bathing suit on your
kids under their clothes and bring some towels because no kid can resist the
fun of playing here.
The park also has a large metal sculpture of a T-Rex, that
looks like one of those wooden kids’ puzzles. During summer months the park
also host a corporate sponsored (usually Target) Family Fun Fair in a tent at
the Chase Pavilion. Here kids can do story time, play games, dance, and make
arts and crafts all for free.
Access to the Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, sculptures, and
Family Fun Fair are all free, making Millennium Park a definite family
favorite.
The park also has concerts, operas, and plays in the
Pritzker Pavilion but usually tickets have to be purchased for these events
although they are usually inexpensive. The park also has a great grill if you’re
looking to make a day of it. The park is located to the north of the Art
Institute (the start of Route 66 West bound @ Adams and Michigan) on Michigan
Avenue between Monroe and Randolph.
The Willis (Sears) Tower:
Willis Towers formally the Sears Tower is one of the world’s
tallest buildings, as a matter of fact it is the tallest building in the U.S.,
North America, and the Western Hemisphere. Many in the architectural community
still debate whether the tower is or isn’t still the worlds tallest based on
things like roof heights, spires, antennas and what not. But any way you look
it it's one of the tallest building you’re going to find within several thousand
miles.
Willis Tower is a Route 66 attraction based on location
since the building is bordered to the North by Adams (Westbound 66) and to the
South by Jackson (Eastbound 66), with the cross streets of Wacker to the West
and Franklin to the East. The Willis address is 233 South Wacker Dr.
If you should decide to visit the tower on your trip keep in
mind that at certain parts of the day wait times to see the tower can get
pretty long, so try to get there as early as possible to avoid a long wait.
Also keep in mind you will be required to go through a security checkpoint to
enter the tower so try to avoid having a lot o metal items, or weapon like
items (keychain Swiss Army knife, and similar items). Also be sure to check the
weather the view and how much you see depends on cloud cover a good rule of
thumb is if you can't see the top of the tower through clouds and fog, you
probably won't see anything up there although the tower will still be open. The
price for admission is $17.50 for adults and $11 for kids under 11, there are
also extras that you can add, and gift shops. Trust me it may not be cheap bit
your kids will love it just the same.
Here are some other items worth mentioning that may be off
the Route 66 path.
-Blue Man Group: Family fun and lots of laughs
-Navy Pier: Ferris wheel, shopping, restaurants, boat rides
and more.
-The Field Museum: Sue the T-Rex, and more
-The Shedd Aquarium: Tropical Fish, Sharks, and Jellyfish
all inches from Lake Michigan
-The Adler Planetarium: Travel the universe without leaving
Chicago
-John Hancock Building: A little cheaper than the Willis
Tower, but a heck of a view.
-Museum of Science and Industry: Control a tornado, and
visit a coal mine
If you are interested in seeing a lot of sites in Chicago
and don't want to spend a lot you may want to consider a Citypass. Citypasses
are available all over the country in larger cities, and you may also want to
consider one once reaching LA as well. Citypass runs $89 per adult and $79 per
child for a one day pass that gets you into just about everything.
