chicago trip with 5 yr old - transportation help

[Anonymous]

City buses and the el? That is how I got around Chicago when I lived there. Traffic sucks so the el is often the fastest choice.

[Anonymous]

I live in downtown chicago and have 5 year old twins. you should be able to get around without using a car. there is a free trolley from mag mile to navy pier. 3 and 4 bus go up and down michigan ave. Orange line El from midway will get you downtown, you could switch at Roosevelt to the red line and go up to Grand which is near your hotel.

Assuming you're going in summer, definitely walk as much as you can

If you really want to use uber/cab, the ridersafe vest is your answer. We have used it when traveling in other cities.

[Anonymous]

Former Chicagoan here, have visited many times with my kid.
Do not rent a car! Such a hassle. Public transit is great. It's how everyone gets around in the city. In most cases, much faster than dealing with a car and parking.

Same with public transit to the airport. I've never once taken a taxi to the airport. Chicago traffic is nuts and the el is almost always faster (and a ton less stressful). Just make sure you pack sensibly and can manage your luggage up and down stairs if needed. Elevators don't always work.

[Anonymous]

Why can't you take an uber w/o a carseat? I always take my 2 kids in ubers w/o seats and it's totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you take an uber w/o a carseat? I always take my 2 kids in ubers w/o seats and it's totally fine.

Yeah, why have carseats at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you take an uber w/o a carseat? I always take my 2 kids in ubers w/o seats and it's totally fine.

What a dumb thing to say.

And the PPs who say man up and get a car. Clearly you haven't rented and driven in big cities! As OP or PP mentioned it would be $120 a day to have a car and the headache is extra.

Public Transportation all the way.

The El is only useful to get to your hotel and back to Midway.

Other than that for the 3 museums in a cluster (bus 146) and even Museum of Science and Industry (bus 10) buses are the way to go

For Navy Pier, I think there is a trolley - ask the concierge - they are excellent.

Also Do not buy a pass unless you plan on using the bus more than 2 times a day which I doubt you would need with a little child. Eating places are aplenty near the Park Hyatt and everywhere you plan to go.

[Anonymous]

PP who just posted. Also you absolutely need a stroller. I took our city classic jogger and it was so helpful. Yeah it's heavy but more reliable and has a nice shade compared to the flimsy shade less umbrella strollers. Just my 2 cents