Chicago Highlights: My Kind of Town

Chicago Highlights: My Kind of Town

Trip Duration: 7 Days

 

 

Trip Inclusions:

• Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

• Tour Director 

• Overnight accommodations

• Deluxe motorcoach transportation

• Baggage handling and related gratuities

• Taxes

 

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame

The world's only facility dedicated to the living heritage of rock and roll music. Designed by I.M. Pei, the $92 million structure towers above Lake Erie's shore at North Coast Harbor. The Hall of Fame wows visitors with high-impact, multi-media production combining film footage, music, interviews, animation and still photography to tell the stories of inducted rock and roll legends.

 

Chicago Botanic Gardens Grand Tram Tour

The 385-acre garden features 23 display gardens and three native habitats, uniquely situated on nine islands surrounded by lakes. Enjoy a fact-filled, 45-minute narrated tour providing an overview of the garden's 385 acres. Tram includes views of the Japanese Garden, 100-acre oak woodland, and the native prairie.

 

Untouchable Tour - Chicago's Original

Visit Chicago's Most Infamous Locations on the Gangster Tour. Take a trip back in time to Prohibition-era Chicago to see the hotspots made famous by Al Capone and his enemies and allies. You will hear about the exploits of Capone, Moran, Dillinger and the rest of the boys! Some sites included are: the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the Biograph Theater, and Holy Name Cathedral. The tour is educational but also very entertaining because the Gangster Guides.

 

Navy Pier

Navy Pier has been a treasured Chicago landmark since its construction in 1916. It boasts dozens of restaurants and shops, special exhibits, entertainment, and gardens. Activities can include a ride on the incredible fifteen story Ferris Wheel, giving one of the best views of the Chicago Skyline and a ride on the turn of the century style carousel which features 36 hand painted animals.

 

Field Museum of Natural History

The Field Museum is a revered Chicago institution and one of the world's great museums of natural history. Their immersive exhibits explore everything from ancient cultures to the latest scientific discoveries, drawing from an astounding collection of more than 24 million objects. Explore an ancient Egyptian tomb, meet the planet's largest creature, get eye-level with insects, discover ancient civilizations, and more.

 

All Access Pass includes all permanent and special exhibitions and 3D movie.

 

Lake Michigan and Chicago River Boat Cruise

Chicago's most comprehensive boat tour. This signature tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes a trip through the Chicago Lock and a live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history. NOTE: Guests must navigate steps to get to the actual dock. Persons with walking disabilities may find this difficult. Vessels include open air and covered seating, men's and women's restrooms, and a snack bar & cash bar.

 

Magnificent Mile

Take a magnificent vacation in just eight spectacular blocks. Explore over 400 exclusive stores and boutiques, enjoy fine dining at over 200 restaurants, marvel at Chicago's famous architecture and learn first hand why North Michigan Avenue is called The Magnificent Mile.

 

Skydeck Chicago

Skydeck Chicago offers an unsurpassed view of Chicago and 4 surrounding states. Take an elevator to the 103rd floor and see the breathtaking panorama. "The Ledge" dares visitors to attempt a unique Chicago experience: stand on The Ledge and feel the city from 103 floors over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. Admission also includes interactive exhibits and signature photo opportunities.

 

Gino's East

For 50 years, the original Gino's East has been offering the best deep dish pizza experience in Chicago. Since they opened their doors in 1966, they've shared millions of their signature golden-crust Chicago-style pizzas with Chicagoans, celebrities, and visitors from all over the world.

 

Nationality Rooms

The Nationality Rooms are a collection of 27 classrooms in the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning depicting and donated by the ethnic groups that helped build the city of Pittsburgh. The rooms are designated as a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historical Landmark and are located on the 1st and 3rd floors of the Cathedral of Learning, itself a National Historic Landmark, on the University of Pittsburgh's main campus.

 

Although of museum caliber, twenty-five of the 27 rooms are in almost constant use as functional classrooms and utilized daily by University of Pittsburgh faculty and students, while the other two are display rooms which can be explored only via guided tour.

 

 

Meal Information:

 

Grand Concourse on Day 6 will include a dinner with menu choices including:

• Sirloin Steak: grilled, warm bleu cheese butter

• Salmon: mango salsa, sriracha glaze

• Roasted Vegetable Ravioli: provencale tomato cream, parmesan, basil chiffonade.

Meals include salad & cheesecake.

 

Callahan's on Day 2 will include dinner with menu choices including:

Fettucine Alfredo

NY Strip Steak

Chicken Parmigiano

Meals include salad, vegetable, and a scoop of ice cream for dessert along with soft drinks and coffee.

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

 

Need to know:

 

This tour requires a considerable amount of walking. Please note Chicago is a large metropolitan city and walking more than 2-3 blocks at a time will be required on this trip.

 

 

Accessibility:

Boat Tour: Boat is wheelchair accessible; however you must go down approximately 60 (easy) steps to get to the actual dock. Persons with walking disabilities may find this difficult.

 

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Accomodations Day 1:

Doubletree Hotel, Independence, OH The Doubletree Cleveland South hotel offers Doubletree's world famous "Sweet Dreams" Bedding which includes a pillow top mattress, down comforter and down pillows. Enjoy a famous Doubletree chocolate chip cookie at check in. The hotel also offers a full-service restaurant and bar, fitness center, and indoor/outdoor pool.

 

Accommodations Days 2, 3, 4 & 5:

Fairfield Inn Chicago Downtown Enjoy the Fairfield Inn Chicago Downtown located 1 1/2 blockes from Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile. The hotel features a fitness center Breakfast is served each morning and the hotel is located steps from area local restaurants Guestrooms include refrigerator, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron/board & complimentary WiFi

 

Accommodations Day 6:

Doubletree Pittsburgh/Greentree Set on the south side and only 3 miles from downtown, this hotel features a restaurant and lounge, indoor/outdoor pool and fitness center. Guestrooms are well appointed and include a Sweet Dreams by Doubletree bed, hair dryer, iron/board, and coffee maker.