We want to visit American Girl and the Shedd Aquarium with two kids under 7. Is it better just to pay the higher hotel price to stay in the city so you can walk most places or to stay 1/2 hour away and drive? I don't know about taxis and car seats?? I know it is expensive but I have heard you really don't want to drive around down there! thanks.|||You'll probably want to stay downtown. If you stay out in the suburbs and drive in, you'll get hammered in parking fees. As far as taxis, depending on exactly how old your kids are, you can find a driver that will let them slide w/o a car seat. We took my son in a cab when he was 2 and they let him slide. Other places that might be cool are the Children's Museum in Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry is always good for kids, it's just a little ways south of LSD. Parking there isn't too bad. The Nature Museum right up by Lincoln Park Zoo is pretty cool for kids as well.|||Staying downtown on Michigan Ave. is OK, but even there you won't be able to walk to ALL of the places you want to go. For instance, American Girl Place and Shedd Aquarium are FAR away from each other. Not really conducive to walking, especialy with a small child. No matter where you stay, you're probably going to have to take a cab or bus to get to at least a few of the places you want to go. So you might as well stay somewhere cheaper than downtown or Michigan ave. Try the Greektown area. It's not too far from the Loop, but not surrounded by the hustle and bustle. And you'll be right near some GREAT restaurants. You'd have to travel a bit to get to the sights, but then you'd have to do that if you stayed on Michigan Ave. too. I'm a big fan of staying comfortably but cheap and saving my money for sightseeing, restaurants, etc., rather than spending it all on a room I'm only going to spend a few hours a day in.|||The Congress Parkway hotel has very good rates, and is right in the middle of everything, so a taxi ride from there to the aquarium would not be expensive at all, like 7-12 bux at most. It's also right across the street from Grant Park, witch should have some events going on, while your staying. Those are always free. Hope this helps. -R|||I stayed there not too long ago...here's what I did and it worked out perfect. I went to Priceline...and did the "name your own price" deal. Since Chicago is so large and has so many hotels they breakdown the hotels into sectors. Look in the "Grant Park, Loop, Millennium Park section"...it's a $6 - $9 cab ride to Shedd (not sure about the other location). I put in a $99 dollar bid and got a great room @ The Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Ave. (wouldn't have been my 1st choice...but it was actually really nice). It's walking distance from the parks (Ah-ma-zing... not to be missed), shopping, the Art Museum, the Symphony. Can't beat it...and keep in mind, that "1/2 an hour a way" could be 2 to 3 times that in Chicago traffic! Have a great time!!|||I have spent a lot of time in Chicago and while driving is horrible, paying for parking is even worse. Depending on where you are coming from, I suggest taking the train. This will be less stressful then the traffic in Chicago for you and it can be an exciting time for the kids. You will be able to enjoy being with them and the views along the way. Check with Amtrak to see about car seats. Once in Chicago, you will be right down town. There are several hotels right there and if you wanted to take a cab to one of the downtown hotels to start, there are plenty and it will not be that expensive. Even if you drive, the best hotel for families is the Travelodge Downtown is just a couple blocks from Lake Michigan and within walking distance of the Shedd and Adler. As for parking, at the Travelodge Cars are $20 per night and Trucks are $26 per night if you want to drive to Chicago. Once in Chicago, you will have in and out privileges by staying at a hotel instead of paying lot prices every where you go.|||Stay on the mg Mile, it is safe....Hyatt regency would be my suggestion...youre going to find out that chicago seems the safest out of all of the major cities

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