Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
upper-deck seats) and added every conceivable amenity—from above-average
ballpark food concessions to shops to plentiful restrooms. The endearing qual-
ity about the White Sox is their blue-collar, working-class aura with which so
many Cubs-loathing South Siders identify. Games are rarely sold out, but that
makes this a bargain for bona fide baseball fans. U.S. Cellular Field has the
added bonus of pregame batting practice for kids (see “Sports & Games,” in
chapter 8)
At U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W. 35th St. in the South Side neighborhood of Bridgeport.
&
312/674-1000.
www.whitesox.mlb.com. Tickets $12-$45, half-price on Mon (kids get in for
$1 for certain Sun games). To get Sox tickets, call Ticketmaster at
&
866/SOX-GAME
or visit the
ticket office, open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm, with extended hours on game days.
Subway/El: Red Line to Sox/35th St.
DePaul Blue Demons
Ages 8 & up.
The local college basketball team, the
Blue Demons, were an NCAA tournament selection last season. The team has a
loyal following and is a good bet for an entertaining game at a reasonable price.
The season begins at the end of November.
At the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim
Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $9-$40; call
&
773/325-7526.
(Some of their games are at the United
Center.)
Northwestern Wildcats
Ages 8 & up.
The smallest of the Big Ten colleges
plays football here. Although the team has occasionally surprised everyone by
winning that coveted spot in the Rose Bowl, more often, Northwestern crowds
like to remind themselves why they attend Northwestern and not Michigan or
Wisconsin or Ohio, with cheers of “Someday, we'll be your boss” to opposing
teams.
At Ryan Field, 1501 Central St., in north suburban Evanston.
&
847/491-CATS.
www.
nusports.com. Tickets $25. Subway/El: Purple Line to Central St., Evanston.
Thoroughbred Racing
Ages 6 & up.
Arlington International Racecourse,
with its gleaming-white, palatial, six-story grandstand and lush gardens, is one of
the most beautiful showcases for thoroughbred horse racing in the world. Arling-
ton likes to say that it caters to families, and it must be said that the ambience here
is more Disney than den-of-iniquity. It has a storied history stretching back to
1927, and its track has been graced by such equine stars as Citation, Secretariat,
and Cigar. The track's annual Arlington Million (the sport's first million-dollar
race) has attracted the top jockeys, trainers, and horses in past years and recently
became part of the new World Series Racing Championship, which includes the
Breeders Cup races. Arlington's race days are thrilling to behold, with all of racing's
time-honored pageantry on display—from the bugler in traditional dress to the
parade of jockeys. Sunday is Family Day, with special activities for kids 12 and
under. In the past, kids have been able to see a blacksmith shoe a horse, learn about
horse care from a groomer and the track veterinarian, and get goggles signed by
jockeys. Chicago parents should ask about the Junior Jockey Club, which keeps
kids informed of these activities. You can sign up through the website.
At Arlington
International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.
&
847/255-4300.
www.arlington
park.com. Seating $3-$6. Gates open Wed-Sun at 11am; post times are 1:05 and 3:05pm. Season
runs June 13-Oct 28. Take the Kennedy (I-94W) expwy. to the I-90 tollway and exit north on Rte. 53.
Follow 53 north until you reach the Euclid exit. Or take the Metra train line to its Arlington Heights
stop, which is within walking distance of the racecourse. General parking $4, valet parking $8.
9 Story Hours
Feel like you've read
The Cat in the Hat
about 10,000 times? Take your kids to
one of these story hours and they can get their story fix while you get a rest—
and you'll be inspiring a love of reading in your children.
