Dubbed as the ‘Windy City’, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The erstwhile home of American gangsters, the city has since let go of that reputation and has turned itself into one of the United States’ top tourist drawers.
If you and your family are planning to visit Chicago, here are five tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss.
- The Hancock Observatory – located at the John Hancock Center at the heart of the city, the Observatory offers visitors a glimpse of areas as far as 80 miles, spanning four states. This isn’t for the faint-hearted though. At 1,000 feet above the ground, visiting this area can be a real challenge to those who fear heights.
- Sears Tower – used to hold the record of being the tallest building in the world. A lot of buildings have since surpassed the Sears, yet it remains as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chicago. Like the John Hancock Center, it also has a viewing deck that allows visitors to see the city’s skyline.
- Orchestra Hall – if you and your family are fans of classical music, the Orchestra Hall is a definite must-see attraction in Chicago. This place is home to the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. You can contact the place to schedule tours or you can also reserve tickets for concerts.
- Wrigley Field – is home to the Chicago Cubs, which is one of the most famous baseball teams in the world. Your family can catch them here during their home games and be a part of the spirit of the stadium.
- Chicago History Museum – your visit to Chicago would be incomplete without taking a peek at its history. It has a vast collection that ranges from the political, like Abraham Lincoln’s death bed, as well as the politically irreverent items such the letter P from Playboy’s old building.
When traveling with your family it is important to remember that you will spend a lot of time in the vehicle traveling to and from destinations. You want to make sure you get a rental car that Is comfortable and practical to ensure your family has a great trip. Here are some things to consider when choosing a family rental car.
Room
You need a vehicle that will provide enough room for your sized family. If your children feel cramped and have no leg room they will get irritable. Giving your kids enough leg room will keep them from fighting with each other. Sport utility vehicles provide a great solution to the leg room your family will need. You will find the SUV will give you some other great options for your family that might be of interest to you.
DVD Players
A lot of vehicles today have built in DVD players in the headrests of the front passenger seats. SUVs are becoming ever so popular for this. The option of having small TV screens in front of your children is an option you will want to take advantage of. The ability to keep your child’s eyes straight ahead will keep siblings from fighting with each other during long rides.
Storage
Don’t forget that you will have a lot of luggage with you. You will need to put this luggage somewhere. Remember, the luggage will take room from the passengers in the vehicle. A good SUV can help with this problem. A lot of SUVs come with optional luggage carriers that fit on the top of the vehicle. If you run out of room the SUV has the capability of pulling a trailer to haul your luggage in.
Taking these factors into account when choosing a rental car can help you save a lot of hassle down the road. Your children are going to need to be comfortable sitting for long periods. Choosing the right car will help make their trip as comfortable as possible.
The number one thing to consider is the airline you choose to fly. Some airlines seem to be more ‘child friendly’ than others. Take the time to ask questions, in regard to their policy on traveling with little ones before making actual reservations. A pleasant flight is worth the extra research it might take.
Packing finger foods such as cheese sticks, pretzels, dry cereal and fruit tidbits, in your carry-on bag, will help their children adjust to high altitudes and in the cabin pressure changes.
If your children are smaller, giving them a pacifier, bottle or even a sippy cup will help to keep their little ears from popping.
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