It doesn't get better than this. You don't even have to leave this hotel to catch the Metro because you do so right from the lobby! Very cool. It is also just a 10 minute walk to the Mall and other major attractions.

We took our grand kids with us and got a good senior rate - about $80. We also got a 50% off coupon for the breakfast buffet which made a easy and good start to the day with the little ones.

The staff was very helpful and the rooms were clean. Don't order in room movies though. $18 each. That was a shocker on the bill. The rooms were a little noisy. You could hear people early in the morning outside the door.

It was nice ot have Starbucks and a sports bar in house. The pool didn't look too inviting, but we had plenty else to do. Parking is expensive $24 and limited.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago works so well for families because the have some suites that even have kitchens in them. The unit we stayed in was perfect for our family and the kitchen was well stocked for light vacation time cooking. The decor was decent, but nothing special. The pull out couch was fairly comfortable for a pull out couch.

We picked the Hampton Inn because it is one of few which has its own pool. Families can also requests cribs and high chairs. The free breakfast was a bonus, but the staff seemed to have some issues keeping it well stocked.

Location was great - 25 min to Navy Pier, 12 min to Hancock Observatory and a short walk from the Magnificent Mile.

This is one National Park that you should not skip.  Not only is the setting goergous, but the subject matter of how whole trees can be turned into stone is mind boggling.  The whole park seems surreal.  When my grandkids touched the rock hard tree stumps they were full of questions - why did the tree become rock?  Did a witch cast a spell, asked my 3 year old grand daughter.  She was convinced that this was something that could only come out of fairytales.
If you can help it, come in the cooler months.

The Morro Bay Campground is excellent for families. Everything is easy to get to. Nice flat camping spots. Some are a little small, but nothing beats having clean bathrooms and lots of fun activities nearby. Be sure to take the kids kayaking in Morro Bay. The waters in the bay are so calm, perfect for kids. View are stunning.

If you're thinking of bringing your young beginning skiers, you don't want to take them to Bear Valley Mountain. There are a ton of reckless teenage snowboarders who are impatient and dangerous. I couldn't bear to watch them whizzing by my 5 year old grand-daughter who was just learning to ski.