Thanksgiving in Chicago

Chicago, IL
Flight Time: 4 hours
Trip length: 4 days
Age: 2.5 yrs

We are traveling back to Chicago for Thanksgiving. I lived there for 6 years before settling north of Seattle, my older brother has now moved to the Chicago burbs, and my parents are in Indiana. So it was a convenient meeting spot. Plus we have great friends who live in the city with a toddler the same age.

Chicago flights can be hit or miss due to O'Hare Airport. We have been delayed, lost luggage every time, and an airline attempted to re route us without us knowing. So I'm always a bit hesitant flying through or from this airport. Plus the traffic going to and from the airport is terrible to say the least. Enough complaining...onto our trip.

Hotel:
This time around we decided to stay at the Westin on Michigan Ave, its a great location. Hubs and I know the city so well, we just wanted to be in a central location. Plus we booked a month prior and already hotels were sold out.

Places to eat:
Chicago is known for Steakhouses, our Thanksgiving dinner is at David Burkes Prime house (kids 5 and under eat for free).  There are some other places that just bring back memories, I loved brunch in Chicago this city has some amazing brunch restaurants. Here are some other options close to Michigan Ave:

Eataly (63,000 sq foot Italian oasis)
L'appetito (great hidden Italian cafe at the bottom of John Hancock) 
Eggspirence and Pancakes Cafe (breakfast)
Cafe Iberico (tapas)

Things to do:
The holidays have such great friendly activities, but living in the Chicago I avoided the tourist spots on every holiday and weekend. I even worked at the Museum of Science and Industry which is still my favorite museum in the US...but its a mob scene.

Museum of Science and Industry, love love this Museum. The holidays are stunning, there are over 50 Christmas trees from around the world and one large tree in the Rotunda. It also snows in the Rotunda 

Children's Museum at Navy Pier, this is a great Children's Museum plus the location on Navy Pier is unique too. Some other fun things at Navy Pier: Open performace space the main area that always has short kid friendly theater shows ongoing throughout the day,Indoor Botanical Garden,  and theAmazing Chicago Funhouse Maze.

Santa El Train, you have to watch the youtube video. The El train is decked out with Christmas lights, the train is wrapped with Christmas paper on the inside, and elves hand out candy canes...the best part Santa's sleigh is on a flat bed car between two train cars.

Festival of Lights, this is such a great magical and fun parade on Michigan Ave. It is worth standing in the cold and navigating the crowds. The parade is weekend before Thanksgiving so we are missing it this year.

Chriskindlmarket, another great outdoor market..beware there's always a crowd. However its a great German market. You get a cute little boot souviner cup with your purchase of hot cocoa.