Christopher and Stacy
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Got Kids? Know how to make kids?

Whether you have young kids, was once a young kid, or simply just know how to make kids, here are a few fun, kid-friendly activities:
  • American Girl Place
  • Bird Bird (& Elmo) One World, One Sky
  • Children's Museum at Navy Pier
  • Chicago Public Ice Rinks
  • John Hancock "Skating In the Sky"
  • ToyMaker 3000 Exhibit
  • Find even more kid-friendly activities here!

Fun things to do in Chicago!

Looking for something fun to do while in the great city of Chicago? There's plenty to do! Rain, shine or even snow, Chicago always has something for everyone!

Tours, Towers, Shopping and Family Fun!

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As stated, there are plenty of fun things to do in Chicago. So many, you may in fact hope that Stacy and Chris renew their vows every year so you have an additional reason to visit this great city!





Towers
  • The Willis Tower (formerly and more commonly knows as the Sears Tower) is the largest building in the Western Hemisphere, the 3rd tallest building in the world and worth a trip to the top! The name may have changed but the address hasn't! There is the relatively new "Ledge" where you can stand out beyond the original wall structure and look straight down to the streets below! Exciting!!
  • Did you know that the 'World's Highest Ice Skating Rink' sits atop the John Hancock building in Chicago? (Nor did we, but it's on the internet so it must be true!) You can rent skates and checkout Chicago while gliding on new synthetic ice! But if skating isn't your thing, you'll still love the view from the Observatory to which you'll arrive via traveling on the fastest elevators in the Northern Hemisphere!
  • New to the high tower and spire-top building collection is the Trump International Hotel & Tower. We haven't been there ourselves yet but that's no reason for the place to not be on your to-do list while you're here!

Tours
Interested in some guided explorations of the Windy City? Then check out some of these tours...
  • Did you know that North America’s largest cocoa bean processor and chocolate manufacturer is only a few blocks away from Stacy and Chris’s apartment in the West Loop?? Yep, you can use your eyes to check out what your nose will be picking up at Blommer's Chocolate Factory.
  • Everyone knows that Al Capone is from Chicago. Now you can see what he saw with the Untouchable Tour!
  • Goose Island Brewery is a local yet widely distributed brew in Chicago and all over! Check out how the beers are made!
  • If you are into harps and/or if you are Chris' Uncle Bill then you'll want to check out the Lyon & Healy site!
  • Comparable to Boston's Fenway Park or Wisconsin's Lambeau Field, is Chicago's Wrigley Field. Tours are available, even in the winter!
  • Here's something Stacy and Chris have wanted to do: Hop on a trolley and tour the town! Take some pictures and let us know what you think.

Shopping, on the Magnificent Mile and the Pedway
  • The Magnificent Mile offers an array of the finest shopping! Check out the latest must-have gadgets at the Apple Store, or take your daughter or nieces down the street from there to the American Girl Place. You'll find plenty of great dining on this street too. And if you get tired of walking then take a horse carriage ride around downtown! You simply can't leave town without stopping by this street.
  • Looking for some more outdoor fun? There's always ice skating at one of Chicago's many outdoor rinks! (There's one on top of the John Hancock building as mentioned and another at the Millennium Park!)
  • While there is no shortage of things to do on the streets of Chicago, did you know there is more of Chicago underneath Chicago? Check out the downtown pedestrian walkway, more commonly called the Pedway!

Family Fun: Millennium Park & Navy Pier
Two of Chicago's main attractions (aside from Stacy and Chris) are the following fun stops:
  • Millennium Park is a must-stop park located a bit south of the main Magnificent Mile shopping district. A great park with the coolest structure you'll see, the "Cloud", which is more commonly referred to as "the Bean".
  • Navy Pier is yet another great Chicago invention. Home to many more great restaurants, shops, a children's museum...even an iMax theater and more!


Museums: Arts, Science, History... oh my!

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  • Adler Planetarium is a great place for the budding astronomer, and provides a fascinating look into the mysteries of space. You'll see a real working telescope, a laser and light show and even an Elmo and Big Bird show!
  • The Field Museum is a popular attraction in Chicago for kids and adults alike. The highlight is the life-size skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, affectionately named Sue.
  • One of Chris' favorites, the Museum of Science and Industry
    is a great way to spend a day (or more or less) in the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere!   
  • The Shedd Aquarium is a fun aquarium with dolphins, whales, sharks and ...fish! The only downside Chris has is that their website doesn't have a 'recipes' page.
  • The Art Institute is a real treat for those who love and appreciate fine art.
  • Now, if contemporary art is more your thing, then don't miss the works at the Museum of Contemporary Art!


Sports and Culture

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Looking for some sit-down enjoyment? After an evening of dancing at Stacy and Chris' wedding, have a seat while enjoying yourselves with these activities!

Sports:
  • The NHL's Chicago Blackhawks are in town Friday and Sunday!
  • Rather just catch a game at a bar? Check out the Tripoli Tavern, a New England/Boston friendly bar where Chris met his and Stacy's friends Bryan and Kim (who will be at the wedding too)!
Music and Theater
  • Music: Chicago is known for it's Blues music. And there is no better place than the House of Blues!
  • More Music: Another fun music venue is the Howl at the Moon dueling piano bars! A fun time with lots of crowd participation!
  • Of course, if an off-Broadway show is more your style, then you'll want to check out the latest listings!


Places to eat!

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There's no need to be hungry in Chicago! Here are some of Stacy's and Chris' favorites!

Pizza! - Chicago is home of the deep dish! No trip is complete without a sampling of Chicago's deep dish pizza!
  • There are really only two main options for the deep dish: Giordanno’s and Lou Malnatis.
  • However if you really prefer the thin-crust as Stacy and Chris do, then head to Tomato Head, right down the street from their apartment.
  • Or you can travel a bit north near their old stomping grounds at Gino's North, arguably the best thin-crust pizza on the planet! (Don't let the 'hole-in-the-wall' appearance fool you!)

Chicago Steak Houses
  • Gibson Steak House is in Chris' original neighborhood in the Gold Coast of Chicago. He's dined here a couple of times himself (though its been a long time!) This is a nice place. He's even seen Michael Jordan dining here!
  • Another favorite (and not visited often enough) is The Chicago Chop House. Chris has been here with his Mom, Aunt Mary, Sister, Brother, Brother in law and lovely wife-to-be Stacy! (Spread over two visits, not one.) Highly recommended! There's a piano bar downstairs!
  • Stacy treated her beau Chris for a birthday treat at famous Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. What a treat! Great food!

Breakfast/Brunch
If you like to eat in the morning, then here are a couple of Stacy and Chris' favorites!
  • Just down the street from Stacy and Chris, about a 1/2 mile away, is Lou Mitchell's. In the summer, people are lined up waiting (no reservations are taken). Should not be too bad in the winter.
  • Chris had some of the best home-fried potatoes he's ever had at Orange. (He only had 'some' because as soon as he offered some to Stacy, well... he was lucky to still say he had even some! ;)

Snacks...
Hey, we all need a little something to tide ourselves over between meals now and again. If you get the between-meal tummy growls, Stacy and Chris highly recommend:
  • Garrett Popcorn. Frankly if you leave Chicago without at least trying the "Chicago Mix" well, I'm not sure you should say you've visited Chicago. Yes. It is that good!

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