Blockbuster Summer

Chicago is a great movie town. The Blues Brothers is probably the most recognizable filmed in Chicago, but there are dozens of others. This summer many families are working hard to find an affordable vacation. With the rise in gas prices, the cost of travel by air, sea, and land has gone up too. Local travel is the way to go this summer. One great thing families can do is create their own themed vacation – like movies!

Imagine taking your kids to those places they saw in the movies. That’s why we’ve created the Summer Blockbuster hotel package. It’s a great way for a family to explore Chicago. From the Blues Brothers to the John Hughes films of the 1980s there’s a great movie adventure for everyone. Creative vacations can stretch your dollars and provide lasting memories. Be sure to start by exploring our interactive movie location map!

Family-Friendly Chicago

I'm always asked to make recommendations for good places to go with kids. Chicago is a very family-friendly vacation destination, and many people are surprised by that. Here are some of my recommendations for sites to see with your children.

CHILD-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS: Bubba Gump’s Seafood, Buca di Beppo, Carson's Ribs, Cheesecake Factory, Ed Debevic’s, Gino's East Pizza, Giordano’s, Grand Lux Café, Hard Rock Café, Maggiano’s, and Rainforest Café.

AMERICAN GIRL PLACE: 111 E. Chicago Avenue
World-famous dolls and accessories, high tea are all part of the fun for children 7 and up and their families.

BLUE CHICAGO
536 N. Clark
Authentic Chicago Blues club where children are welcom on the weekends when accompanied by a parent.

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Located on Navy Pier, only one mile from the Radisson Chicago Hotel & Suites. Hands-on fun for children aged 3-12. Exhibits, toys, games and mazes will keep children’s interest as they learn.

DAVE AND BUSTERS
1030 N. Clark
Fun for the whole family until 10 PM featuring skeeball, arcade, pinball, shuffleboard and virtual reality games as well as dining.

ESPN ZONE
64 E. Ohio
Cheer on your favorite sports team in the bar and restaurant, and let your kids (7 and up) enjoy the arcade and virtual reality games.

LANDMARKS/MUSEUMS
Chicago is famous for beautiful parks and monuments such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, and Buckingham Fountain. Families will enjoy visiting one of Chicago’s many fabulous museums.

LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING ALLEY
322 E. Illinois
This Hollywood import has state of The art bowling lanes, 22 big screen plasmas. Under 21 until 9 PM.

NAVY PIER
Navy Pier, only one mile from the Radisson Chicago Hotel & Suites, features a Ferris wheel, the Children's Museum, IMAX Theatre, shopping, dining, virtual reality rides, seasonal boat tours and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Museums in Chicago

There are many world-class museums in Chicago, which you'll find listed on any tourist brochure. But we also have many quirky, niche museums that are worth visiting.
These are few of my favorites that you probably won't find listed anywhere else;

International Museum of Surgical Science opened it’s doors to the public in 1954. Aside from books and artwork, the museum has surgical exhibits from around the world. Guided tours of the museum are available on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.. Be sure to make a reservation.

The Museum of Holography is dedicated to educating visitors about holography (holograms) and promoting it not only as research and teaching tool, but also as a form of art.

The Peace Museum is a very unique museum that uses art to explore war and peace. The museum has a large permanent collection comprised of art and artifacts, and also presents a variety of temporary exhibits that are both compelling and educational.