We look forward to seeing our extended family and showing them the best of beautiful Chicago!

Here is the registration form as a pdf file: Chicago Registration Form
You can print it, fill it out and either fax it or surface mail it to Caron.
  Fax: 866-875-3318
  Address: P.O. Box 6772, Villa Park, IL, 60181-6772

Optionally, you can request an electronic form (requires MS Word) which you can fill out on your computer and email back as an attachment: Send Email To Request Electronic Form

Check out these two pages also for lots of information and tips for visiting Chicago.

Things to do - events, tours, sights, shopping, kids' activities

Donna's Favorites - ideas for sight-seeing, museum links

Some pictures of Chicago

 

 Thursday July 30

Suggested arrival day for International Arrivals – a cheaper day to fly and no planned activities due to possible jet lag.

 Friday July 31

Morning at Leisure. Go to a museum, shop or do a few of Donna's favorite things!

1:00 p.m. Afternoon (one hour) walking tour of Millennium Park – FREE !

Meeting point: Visitor's Center, east corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street

Led by Donna Primas. (If the weather is nice, have children wear a bathing suit under their clothes and/or bring a change of clothes as they will want to play in the Crown Fountain after the tour.) www.millenniumpark.org

2:30 p.m. Art Institute of Chicago tour (optional)

Meeting point: Crown Fountain, corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street

Led by Donna Primas. Enjoy a one-hour guided tour of the new Modern Wing (to open May 16, 2009) and see museum highlights, including American art (Mary Cassatt, Grant Wood, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe) and some of the most important works of the museum. Plan to spend extra time on your own to enjoy the incredible Impressionist and Post Modern collections (Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso, etc.) or other museum exhibits. http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php

Museum entrance fees approx. $12 per adult, $7 students and Seniors, children under 12 free!

6:00 p.m. Casual dinner at Portillo's on Ontario Street

Meeting point: Portillo's Hot Dogs / Barnelli's Pasta, 100 W. Ontario

Portillo's was founded in Villa Park, the town where Caron, Donna and Amy grew up. It now has restaurants all over “Chicagoland.” The buffet menu will probably include Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef for sandwiches, pasta and salad and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are on your own. http://www.portillos.com/history/

Approx. cost including tax for a dinner: $7 - $12.

Late night (optional)

Ask for Jazz and Blues Club suggestions.

 Saturday August 1

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Chicago Highlights Bus Tour (optional: Sears Tower visit at the end)

Meeting point: A downtown hotel

Ride by important sites related to the history of Chicago on this comprehensive tour of the city. Enjoy the diverse architecture, public sculpture, beautiful parks and gardens. See where Fort Dearborn was established in 1803 and where the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871. See buildings from the gangster era (1920's) and Chicago 's two World's Fairs, held in 1893 and 1933. Drive along the shore of Lake Michigan and the curve of the Chicago River. Explore The Loop, Financial District, Theater District, plus ethnic neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Greek Town.

Approx cost per person $20

• For a look at the fantastic Chicago skyline and to learn a bit about some of the taller buildings: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/skyline/

• For a fascinating true story about the 1893 World's Fair that reads like a novel, read “Devil in the White City ” by Erik Larson.

Dinner: Chicago Pizza, salad and dessert and/or barbecue on the outdoor deck of Donna's condo building

Late Night (optional)

Share family history records with Caron, or listen to live music at a piano bar.

 Sunday August 2

Morning at Leisure – On your own

• Explore the city or lakefront on foot or rent a bicycle

• Take a Segway Tour of the lakefront

12:15 p.m. Gospel Music Brunch at the HOUSE OF BLUES

Meeting point: House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn (just north of the Chicago River)

Praise the Lord and pass the biscuits! Come to the House of Blues and experience American Cuisine with a Southern flair while enjoying the popular Sunday Gospel Brunch , featuring inspiring gospel music performances and an amazing buffet to feed the body and the soul. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/

Approx. cost including tax and gratuity: Adults $50.

SAMPLE MENU

omelet stations
"create your own"

bread station
corn muffins
cinnamon rolls

sea food station
peel and eat shrimp

meat station
fried chicken
bacon
sausage
2 varieties of smoked meat (chef's choice)

salad station
mixed greens salad
potato salad

dessert station
white chocolate chip brownies
traditional bread pudding with whiskey sauce
pecan squares

misc.
vegetable crudite
fruit platter
mashed sweet potatoes
turnip greens
jambalaya
scrambled eggs
buttermilk biscuits with country gravy

 

Afternoon/Evening BOAT CRUISE

Meeting point: Boat Dock on the Chicago River, specific location to be determined

Bring your sunglasses and a camera to photograph the city as you cruise the Chicago River, then pass through the lock (water elevator) to enter Lake Michigan and admire the skyline! There may be a breeze while you cruise on the lake, so consider bringing a sweater or light jacket!

Cost per person to be determined (around $50 but may be less)

 Monday August 3

International Departures.