Off to Chicago...

My wife and I are taking our 11 month girl to Chicago in about 10 days...
we plan on being there for 4-5 days.
We'll be together most of the time, but I'm going to a Cubs game (Sept 17) and Sox game (18th) by myself, and according to their website, no issue with bringing some gear...
aside from those 2 outings, any recommendations on places to go, things to shoot, etc?
I know the wife wants to do the Shed aquarium... any recommendations?
Any recommendations on what to stay away from?

Thanks!

oohh, and almost forgot... any recommended camera shops I should know about?

Within walking distance of the Shed Aquarium you could visit Navy Pier and/or Millennium Park. Very nice photographic opportunities at both of those locations. Have a great trip!

SMP_Homer wrote in post #8575696
My wife and I are taking our 11 month girl to Chicago in about 10 days...
we plan on being there for 4-5 days.
We'll be together most of the time, but I'm going to a Cubs game (Sept 17) and Sox game (18th) by myself, and according to their website, no issue with bringing some gear...
aside from those 2 outings, any recommendations on places to go, things to shoot, etc?
I know the wife wants to do the Shed aquarium... any recommendations?
Any recommendations on what to stay away from?

Thanks!

oohh, and almost forgot... any recommended camera shops I should know about?

The Tollway.

If you're at the Shedd - walk down toward the Adler Planetarium and face North (and/or South) for some neat cityscapes. If memory serves, the Shedd does not permit flash, but they're website probably says.

At Wrigley (and I assume at Comisky) you can enter the game 2 hours ahead of game time for batting practice. The place is usually empty and has many neat photo ops. Go to the Upper Deck, and in the southeast corner o the stands there is a "beer deck" past he food stands. An interesting view of the city and the intersection of Clark and Addison.

Millenium park is the new tourist mecca. Photos of the "bean" sculpture are de rigeur. BUt if it's a warm day, your daughter will love running in and through the fountains. Bring a change of clothes, for sure!

The walking and the riverboat cruises of the Chicago Architecture Foundation are great. ( http://www.architectur​e.org/ )

Cheaper - there is a water taxi that goes from Navy Pier to Union Station along the river. I think it's $2 each way. They may not charge if you just stay on for the round trip. ( http://www.chicagowate​rtaxi.com/ )

What are you interested in photographing? mroe input and I might have some suggestions.

scrapmuch wrote in post #8582839
What are you interested in photographing? mroe input and I might have some suggestions.

I'm generally more of a sports shooter... but really want to make sure I don't go home and realize I missed something worthy...
and anything I can plop my kid & wife in front of is good too (I can keep shooting all day long if they feel included...)

Don't forget to post some nice shots of the CUBS I know you'll get with that 100-400L.

sports wise, I don't really know. But there are some events festivals coming around that time:

Chicago's Historic Route 66 Classic Car Show - Saturday, September 20
Get your motor running from for the second annual classic car show at 3800-3918 W. Ogden Avenue. FREE admission.

there is also Windy City Match Race - north side, the Belmont Harbor area is not far from Wrigley, and a less than 1 mile walk from the Belmont El station (you can get closer if you take a 151 bus from the Loop up Lake Shore, but it's slower going):
http://www.windycityma​tchrace.org

Chicago Celtic Fest - Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13
This Grant Park festival features music and culture from seven Gaelic regions: Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man and Cornwall, Wales, Galicia, Spain; and Brittany, France. [probably will be lots of Irish dance demonstrations/shows. Grant park is very centrally located in downtown.) INFO HERE

I forgot! camera stores:

Central Camera is in the loop - on Wabash, one block east of State Street:
www.centralcamera.com

doesn't look like much but it's a fun place and the staff know what they're doing.

There's also Helix Camera west of the loop:
www.helixcamera.com

bigger than Central, bright and well stocked. You can take the Adams street bus west to Racine and you're pretty much right there . . .

My local store is Calumet Photo (which I visit in Oakbrook), their Chicago store is a little geographically challenged for tourists:

Calumet Chicago

I haven't lived downtown in 10 years, and have been in the burbs for 5, so I can't tell you how to get there on public transport, but there is probably a way.