Description

Visiting Chicago with kids? The Vacation Mavens interview Francesca from Working Mom Travels and Chicago native on this week's podcast. Find out where to stay, where to eat and which neighborhoods you need to visit.

ON THE PODCAST

00:33 - Tamara and Kim chat about the holidays

11:45 - About Francesca

16:45 - How long to spend in Chicago

17:26 - Where to stay

19:04 - Neighborhoods in Chicago

22:53 - Best ways to get into Downtown

25:45 - Getting around in Chicago

27:13 - Main Attractions

31:45 - Renting Bikes

32:50 - Restaurants in the City

36:14 - Chicago on a Budget

39:08 - Best Places for Family Photo

40:23 - Favorite Travel Gear

42:43 - Holiday Wishes!!

ABOUT FRANCESCA MAZURKIEWICZ

Francesca Mazurkiewicz is a Chicago-based travel blogger and working mom of two who aims to show that working parents can still enjoy what they fancy in life, even after having kids. For Francesca, it is travel - with and without her family - music, and premium beverages, including craft beer and bourbon. You can find her writing at The Working Moms Travels and follow her on: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram as well as SnapChat.

TIPS FOR VISITING CHICAGO WITH KIDS

• Traveling in Chicago you need a lot of time to see everything. If you are just looking in to see the 'main attractions', a long weekend would be good. Though it is not possible for everyone; try to allow for three days, so you can hit the big attractions as well as getting into some of the neighborhoods.
• Staying in downtown Chicago is closest to the main sights, transit and offers a range of hotels to stay at that will fit almost everyone's budgets from chain to small boutique hotels.
• Some of Chicago's Neighborhoods to visit include:
  • Little India is the Asian/Indian community and has excellent restaurants
  • Andersonville which is a big Swedish neighborhood
  • Lincoln Square is a Historical German neighborhood that has a few German Restaurants and a lot of places to go in walking distance
  • Little Italy has changed but is a more trendy neighborhood with a lot of great restaurants and has the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
  • Pilsen was originally settled by czech republic but is now a large Latin community and has great Mexican food. This is also become a hotspot for artist
  • Wrigleyville holds a lot of the younger crowd with all the bars and shops

• The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, The Adler Planetarium are all located in the Museum Campus. Not far from there is the Millennium Park that has 'The Bean' also known as The Cloud Gate.
• Eataly is an Italian grocery store/market that is a cultural experience. It has a Nutella bar that kids love, as well as for the adults a wine bar and a brewery on site. Inside there is a restaurants that have great Italian food.
• The Architectural Boat tour is a must do. Chicago is legendary for its architecture!

BEST PLACE TO TAKE FAMILY PHOTO

Most families like to take their pictures by The Bean. It is a memorable place that showcases that you are in Chicago. But this is a hard place to get a photo without other people in it.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory is also a great place that has a few scenic spot to take some shots.

FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR

Francesca likes to wear dark colors along with Calvin Klein Active Pants and tops. She can just roll them up in a ball to put in her bag and when she takes them out they are not wrinkled at all. She also loves her Merrell shoes. They are very comfortable and hold up with a lot of walking.

MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

The Guesthouse Hotel in Andersonville, IL

Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Chicago History Museum

Willis Tower of the Sears Tower

Pizzeria Due

Davanti Enoteca

FOLLOW US AND SPREAD THE WORD!

If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play and leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035# You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcase and We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for listening!