Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
&
800/332-3442;
p. 84), make them
the hotels of choice for trav elers who
want to feel like r oyalty while
in to wn. the
Peninsula Chicago,
108
E. S uperior S t. (
&
866/288-8889;
p. 88), is also a major play
8
restaurant fr onting S tate S treet inside
the
Hotel Burnham,
1 W. Washington
(
&
877/294-9712
). Amazingly , this
eclectic r estaurant with a gr own-up
sophistication w elcomes kids and fea-
tures a special kids' menu. See p. 111.
•
Tops for Teens:
For a bohemian bou-
tique feel, the
Hotel Sax,
333 N. Dear-
born S t. (
&
800/235-6397
), can't be
beat, and its access to nearb y House of
Blues and 10pin Bo wling Alley should
score with teens, too . See p. 98. Teens
might also enjo y the r ock-'n'-roll atti-
tude of the
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago,
230 N. M ichigan A ve. (
&
866/966-
5166
), in the historic, distinctiv e, and
recently renovated Carbon Carbide sky-
scraper. See p. 78.
•
Tops for Toddlers:
Homewood Suites,
40 E. G rand A ve. (
&
800/CALL-
HOME
[225-5466]), offers cribs, high-
chairs, and bab ysitting ser vices in a
great location in River North—all great
amenities for the toddling set. S
er on the
luxury scene in Chicago.
•
When Price Is Your Main Object:
Red
Roof Inn Chicago Downtown,
162 E.
Ontario St. (
&
800/733-7663;
p. 97),
offers a fabulous location for a bargain
price. But the
Hampton Inn & Suites
Chicago—Downtown,
33 W. I llinois
St. (
&
800/HAMPTON
[426-7866];
p. 99), gets bonus points for being a
bargain stay, plus having a pool, which
is not the case with many do
wntown
chains.
•
Best P ool:
With its dazzling all-tile
junior O lympic-size pool, constr ucted
in 1929, the
InterContinental Chi-
cago,
505 N. M ichigan Ave. (
&
800/
327-0200
), takes this awar d easily. See
p. 90.
•
Best H otel R estaurant for K ids:
Go
for
Atwood Cafe,
the stylish and funky
1
ee
p. 96.
3
THE BEST DINING BETS
With pizza and hot dogs among the city 's
signature dishes, Chicago is food heav en
for kids. Before you run out and buy a case
of antacids, however, take hear t: Wonder-
ful cuisine to please adults abounds, too .
And I'm going to send y ou in that dir ec-
tion, right after I grab a garlic- and pep-
per-laden hot dog.
•
Best Views:
A location right on the
Magnificent M ile means the obser va-
tion deck of the
Hancock O bserva-
tory,
875 N. Michigan Ave., is the ideal
spot to get an up-close-and-personal
view of the M agnificent M ile and its
many high-rises. F or lunch, visit the
observatory's
Signature R oom at the
95th
(
&
312/787-9596
), a sleek r es-
taurant that ser ves a discounted lunch
buffet for kids. O n a clear day y ou can
see 50 miles and part of three surround-
ing states—M ichigan, I ndiana, and
Wisconsin. (M oms and daughters,
make sur e to visit the women
's r est-
room—it's got the best vie
ws in the
restaurant!) See p. 175.
•
Best I ce C ream:
S ince the 1920s,
Margie's C andies,
1960 N. Western
Ave., at Armitage A venue in Bucktown
(
&
773/384-1035
), has been ser ving
up mammoth sundaes in conch shell-
shaped dishes. You might still find fam-
ily members manning the cash r egister.
Don't miss the homemade hot fudge,
real butterscotch, and caramel. The
place hasn't changed much since 1940,
and is stuffed with kitschy dolls, bo xes
of homemade candy , stuffed animals,
and news clippings through the years. A
