Travel & Visitors Guide - March 1, 2009
Windy City trekking with a toddler
In lieu of grander vacations, my compact family has created something of a tradition of lightning-fast visits to the Windy City, based around hotel rate sales. Even 24 hours in downtown Chicago can be pricey, but with a little careful planning, an action-packed weekend down south doesn't have to break the bank.
Tags: Chicago, The El, Chicago Theater, Bob the Builder, L'Appetito italian cafe, Hancock Observatory, Cafe Expression by Lavazza, Hilton, Navy Pier, Time Out, Artist's Cafe, Eleven City Diner, Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park, The Loop

Travel & Visitors Guide - Dec. 22, 2007
Wintry Chicago is fun, if pricey
Recently, my family spent a snowy weekend in Chicago, trying to recreate the holiday magic of my youth when my mom would take us to Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue to see the window displays, lights and skaters.
Tags: Chicago, Macy's, Chicago Theater, elevated subway, the Loop, Shedd Aquarium, Renaissance Hotel, Wacker Drive, Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue, FAO Schwartz