Help us decide-Chicago or Aruba?

Anonymous
I realize this seems like an insane question but my husband and I have 4 nights without our kids in June. We have narrowed it down to either Chicago (my husband has never been) or Aruba (neither of us has been). My husband is not a great beach person unless he can be snorkeling, kayaking, and engaged in activities (so like Ocean City is out). Is 4 nights enough to see Aruba with direct flights? Or is any amount of time in Aruba more exciting than Chicago? I can't decide!

Thanks for playing along!
Anonymous
Aruba is a long flight, maybe with a connection making it longer. So it's 3 days there. You get there in late afternoon I think, time for a dip and drinks before dinner. We stayed 5 nights I think. Driving around wasn't a lot of fun. Beaches away from the resort area were not fun either. We like snorkeling and it was better on boat trips. We did those 2 days.

Honestly, next time we went to Bonaire. Better time, much better snorkeling conditions. Might be bleaching now, though.

Grand Cayman...have you been? Shorter trip, great water, food.
Anonymous
I mean those are so radically different.

June in Chicago can be very hot, it just kind of depends.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I mean those are so radically different.

June in Chicago can be very hot, it just kind of depends.


June in Chicago can also be very cold.
Anonymous
I used to live in Chicago. June should be nice. It won't be hot.

Given that your DH is not a beach person, I vote Chicago for sure. It is an amazing city. Some of my faves to do: Art Institute (especially the Chagall windows), hot dogs (you do not know what a hot dog can be until you have a real Chicago dog with celery salt etc -- I'm partial to Weiner's Circle on Clark) and deep dish pizza (I'm partial to Lou Malnati's but there are plenty of options), an architecture-focused river cruise, Second City show, Shedd Aquarium, walk along the lake front.
Anonymous
Chicago.
Anonymous
We’ve been to Aruba twice but with our kid. She was 10 and 12 respectively. If you think you’ll ever go with your kids I would do Chicago for adults trip. If this is a one time thing you’ll never get to do again I’d do Aruba
Anonymous
In June--I would do Chicago. In a colder time of year, I would do Aruba.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
June in Chicago can be very hot, it just kind of depends.


You think Aruba would be cooler in June? It's much closer to the Equator.
Anonymous
I think Aruba is too far for only 4 night but I do love Aruba. Chicago is also a cool city.
Anonymous
I've been to both.

City>beach always except I really liked Bali because it has a lot of cultural attractions, music, and handicrafts.

It depends on whether you need relaxation or mental stimulation.

I also liked Chichen Itza and Xcaret more than Cancun and Tulum. We never ended up snorkeling. And we bought a $50 underwater camera to take fish pics.
Anonymous
Four nights in Chicago is too much imho.

What about Charleston—perhaps stay at Kiawah for some beach/nature?

San Juan plus the beach? Easy flight.

Grand Cayman is always great.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Four nights in Chicago is too much imho.

What about Charleston—perhaps stay at Kiawah for some beach/nature?

San Juan plus the beach? Easy flight.

Grand Cayman is always great.


Have you been there? Chicago is a world class city -- four nights is not at all "too much."
Anonymous
I’ve been to both and I’d pick Chicago. Great city! Perfect for 4 days and the weather should be nice in June.

Aruba is nice but I’d want more time and I’d would want to sit and relax on the beach some. The beaches are beautiful and there are plenty of places to snorkel.
Anonymous
If your husband isn’t a beach person, then he probably won’t enjoy Aruba. But objectively speaking, Aruba sounds like a superior 4 day trip to me.
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