The Family Travel Network

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Suite Stays in Chicago

By Ellen H. Parlapiano

Chicago is one cool town for kids and it's perfect for a family weekend getaway. Home to deep dish pizza and Wrigley Field, the Windy City offers tons of fun—most of it within a short walk or el ride.

If you’re thinking of going to Chicago with the family, pick a hotel that’s central to all the action. The Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago-Downtown/Lakefront has suite-style accommodations in the heart of downtown Chicago, just steps from Michigan Avenue and the city’s “Magnificent Mile.”

Family-Friendly Features: There’s plenty of privacy and room to sprawl in Embassy’s spacious 2-room suites. Parents can settle into the master bedroom, while kids chill in the living room with sofa bed and PlayStation console. Each sleeping area has its own TV, and the suite is equipped with a fridge, coffeemaker and microwave. An added perk is the daily complimentary breakfast in the lobby, where you can fuel up with cooked-to-order omelets and a variety of breakfast buffet items. Every afternoon there’s a manager’s reception with complimentary snacks and beverages—a welcome treat after a day of sightseeing. The indoor pool, while small, is a great place for reviving cranky kids. And for rainy days, it’s convenient to have a movie theater and bowling alley right around the corner.

Kids Will Love: The Embassy Suites Kids-Eye View Passport, presented to kids upon check-in, lists must-do activities suggested by local children. It recommends where to find the best pizza (Giordano’s and Gino’s East, agree the experts), family outings (Navy Pier, Six Flags Great America and Cubs and White Sox games top the list) and much more. The passport also features room for kids to journal about their vacation and paste in a small photo. Parents will appreciate the Best Educational Activities category, which recommends the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History (home to Sue, the world’s largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton). Both are a short el ride or cab ride from the hotel.

What’s Nearby: Just two blocks east of the hotel is Navy Pier, a bustling, lakefront entertainment center featuring restaurants, IMAX theater, boat tours, and 150-foot Ferris wheel. The Embassy Downtown/Lakefront is also steps away from Michigan Avenue and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, where you can shop at American Girl Place and Niketown, and sample the world-famous popcorn at Garrett’s. After hitting the stores, stroll south to Millennium Park to see the skyline reflected in the Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as The Bean). Also check out the projected faces on the Crown Fountains. Take in the rest of the sights from the nearby Sears Tower—North America’s tallest building. From the sky deck of this awesome structure you and the kids will get a birds-eye view of this fun-filled city.

To book a stay, call the Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago-Downtown/Lakefront (1-312-836-5900) or visit the Embassy Suites website at www.embassysuites.com. Embassy Suites also has another centrally located downtown Chicago property, with similar rates and rooms.