In lieu of grander vacations, my compact family has created something of a tradition of lightning-fast visits to the Windy City, based around hotel rate sales. Even 24 hours in downtown Chicago can be pricey, but with a little careful planning, an action-packed weekend down south doesn't have to break the bank.

Recently, our third such trip was built on a great rate -- less than $100 (not including parking) -- found online, at the historic Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave. A huge hotel -- the elevator bank boasts 14 cars! -- built in 1927, the Hilton is obviously feeling the pinch as one employee explained that the lobby bar was closed because the building was only at 14% capacity that weekend.

Arguably, our major expenses could end here since our toddler loves being in the hotel. The room in the Hilton offered views of construction and the El (as was the case on our previous visits at two other hotels, too), as well as the lake, Soldier Field, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium (and Buddy Guy's Legends, too).

We also love that these little jaunts open new little worlds to our little one. One of the most successful and jaw-dropping examples for our kid was a quick ride on the State Street red line subway. But he also gets more and more practice being a courteous hotel guest and restaurant patron.

We opted to add a few sites and events to the agenda, too.

First up was a visit to the Hancock Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave. Adults are $15 but kids under 4 are free. Admission includes a multimedia "Sky Tour" that explains what you're looking at from 94 stories -- 1,000 feet -- above the Miracle Mile.

Because we visited Navy Pier during our summer visit and had talked up the Sears Tower, our child needed no help recognizing some of what could be seen. After a few minutes, hidden secrets of the city began to emerge and we delighted in spotting rooftop pools, the reflection of the Hancock tower on the waves of Lake Michigan and getting some fresh air in the fenced in open area (it was 60 degrees up there on that warm, sunny February day).

Dad was more than a little disappointed that the already award-winning Café Expression by Lavazza wasn't yet open on the observation deck, but we peeked in to try and get a glimpse.

"John Hancock Observatory not only has the best 360-degree views of Chicago," says general manager Daniel Thomas, "but now the experience is complete with new interactive and engaging features like the world's highest Espression by Lavazza café, a free multi-media tour narrated by David Schwimmer and History Avenue. Once the guests have finished at the Observatory, our complimentary concierge can help them plan their next Chicago adventure."

The observatory was a real hit and thanks to our having read about Curious George's trip across a downtown landscape attached to a bunch of balloons, we all knew what to expect the view to be like up there.

Afterward, we headed down the rapid-fire elevators for a quick lunch at the over-packed L'Appetito Café that served up delicious panini, espresso drinks, Italian cookies, gelato and also sells some packaged Italian specialty foods. Lunch for three, including cookies, was $20.

A perfectly timed e-mail alert from an Internet travel site clued us in to dirt-cheap tickets to see a Bob the Builder show at the Chicago Theatre that is skipping Milwaukee on its national tour. To stay within our budget and maximize our limited time, one of us accompanied our toddler to the show and the other met up with a friend who joined us for a post-show dinner.

To get to the theater, we walked a couple blocks to State Street, stopping off to check out the Water Tower and the horses attached to carriages on the western side of the square.

Then we descended beneath Chicago Avenue and rode the Red Line subway two stops to Lake. It was a short ride, but long enough for our train-loving toddler (I know, that's redundant, isn't it?) to experience what he's only seen in books. And at $4.50 for two adults -- again, kids are free (under 7) - it was one of the best bargains of the trip.

Meeting up after the show, we opted for an inexpensive dinner at the Artist's Café, 412 S. Michigan Ave., across from the Art Institute -- which we visited last time 'round. The café -- a traditional diner -- opened in 1961 and is popular with Art Institute students, employees and patrons. There you can dine for around $10 per person, which in the heart of Chicago is a real bargain. There's also outdoor seating on Michigan Avenue when the weather is reliably warm.

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Posted by NJPomes on March 1, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. (report)

If you have not taken your toddler to the Chicago Children's Museum, you have really missed a fun filled day! Activities include a water play zone where you play with plastic boats and make a fountain with plastic fitting and pipes with raincoats for the kids (unfortunately not for the adults!); a building zone where you build large structures with wood, bolts, and nuts; dinosaur bones kids uncover from a field of shredded tires; and interesting art projects (we made paper bowls!). We take Amtrak to Union station, ride free trolleys or CTA buses to get to Navy Pier, then come home on the last train of the evening.