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I was hoping to create a win-win situation with my wife (and 8 month old daughter) by making the Tinley Park reptile show a family vacation where we can visit Chicago. After researching the area, I realized the show is about 30 miles away from Chicago. My thoughts are now to get a hotel in Chicago and cab it to the show but I wanted to reach out to the pros on this forum who may have already experienced this type of situation. Any advice? Are there hotels inbetween?

Thanks,

Tom
tom12@optonline.net

Chicago doesn't sound like much of a vacation.

BRING THE FAMILY TO DAYTONA FOR THE EXPO.
Daytona is a great vacation spot. The hotel is across the street from the expo and on the beach.

Tom,
Go to Chicago a few days earlier and get a Hotel in Chicago. Do the Chicago part of your trip. Plenty of fine Museums, great Restaurants, and wonderful cultural activities in Chicago. Rent a car and go to Tinley. A cab ride to and back from Tinley would cost you about as much as a car rental. You can either check out of your hotel in Chicago and get a room in Tinley or just rent the car for the day and drive back to Chicago. By the way, there is a Seafood restaurant right across the street from the Convention Center in Tinley called the Tin Fish. Google it. It is one of the best Seafood restaurants in the country.

PS Forget Daytona as a vacation spot. It is a pit with nothing to do unless you really like the beach. The food is atrocious. You would think being on the coast it would at least have some decent Seafood, NOT unless you think Bubba Gump’s is great Seafood. LOL
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Albey Scholl
Albeys Too Cool Reptiles
Email Me

>>
>>PS Forget Daytona as a vacation spot. It is a pit with nothing to do unless you really like the beach. The food is atrocious. You would think being on the coast it would at least have some decent Seafood, NOT unless you think Bubba Gump’s is great Seafood. LOL
>>-----
>>Albey Scholl
>>Albeys Too Cool Reptiles
>>Email Me

Definitely agree. Daytona is disgusting. The show in Daytona is going to suck this year as well. Almost none of the big guys will be there. That show has went way downhill in the last few years. I haven't made it to Tinley yet, but all of the big guys go to that one.
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John Vandegrift

Daytona smells like pee.

Sorry, stale pee.
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

The big guys have not been in Daytona for the last 2-3 years. There are alot of the smaller guys doing this show with plenty of nice stuff.Daytona will still be a good show.

My post was not a slight of the National Reptile Breeders Expo. That show is still one of the best going and I will be doing it for my 14th year. As a vacation spot though it leaves much to be desired. It was much better when the show was still in Orlando. There was plenty to do there.
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Albey Scholl
Albeys Too Cool Reptiles
Email Me

I wouldn't think a 45 min. drive was a big deal to someone on vaction the beach and all the theme parks just 45 min. away ya that sucks it could take 45 min just to go a few miles in Chicago. Just Saying...you could even stay in Orlando and just drive to the show not far at all.
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Vince Pramuk []__[]

Chicago can be a PAIN to get around in. I really suggest if you do not have one, invest in a nice GPS. If for some reason, construction or traffic delays freeway movement, the GPS will get you there via side streets. Chicago is a really wonderful place with some amazing museums in the downtown area. One drawback for you staying in the city is I believe it is the weekend of the marathon. City hotel rates will increase. Renting a car is imperative as cab rides will cost you your first born, second born and possibly up to your fifth born. However in the city, walking or public transit will be the best option.

I think it was Albey that suggested coming into town early. That is a fabu IDEA! Get to the city about tuesday. Hit places like the Museum of Science and Industry, planetarium, museum of natural history, Shedd Aquarium and more those during the week. I also believe the lincoln park zoo is still free and that is across the street from the Peggy Noteabart Nature Museum. Navy Pier is also a nice lake side tourist destination. All of these things are within a few miles of each other. Also if you come up earlier in the week, take that rental car and head about an hour north of chicago, pick up some travel food and hit the Wildlife Discovery Center. NICE reptile spot, Rob actually exhibits at the NARBC, but if you get up early enough in the week, you are good to go!
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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