Any Chicago people here? Need advice!

[coinkc]

We will be in Chicago next weekend for a dance competition. I will have three girls with me...ages 7, 10, and 12. I purposefully booked us a late flight on Moday so we could do somethng in Chicago. Now, I just need help deciding what that activity will be. We basically have Monday until 4:00. I was thinking of the aquarium but it is $15 per person...is it worth that much $$$? Any other thoughts or suggestions as to how we shold spend our day? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[monkeyboy]

Dan...he is like Mr Chicago

 

[piglet too]

I honestly would either go to the Museum of Science and Industry (here is their site http://www.msichicago.org/ ) Or take the girls shopping up on Michigan Ave. There is The American Girl store if they like that at all, even if they don't it is still a cute store. There are a lot of stores as well as Water Tower Place.

Oh I almost forgot that Navy Pier has lots to see and do as well.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think I would agree with Kirsten above. For less than one day, a visit to the MoS&I is a winner, with kids that age. Lots to see and do, very interactive. You won't see it all in a day, but a nice visit. And the area around there, on the way, is beautiful, the Lake Shore. And for 'knowing' Chicago, tjough I have lived here all my life, not a good one to generally ask, as a tourist I am not, LOL. And if not the Museum, Kirsten's other choise is certainly a good one too, lots of things to see and do within a few square blocks.

http://chicago.travelape.com/

http://www.chicago.il.org/

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/index.html

 

[Cruise04]

Definitely north Michigan Ave (including the American Girl Store if they do, as someone else said, are interested in that) or Navy Pier.

The museums are good but I don't think they are worth the money for that short a time period. There are also is Lincoln Park Zoo which is free if that is something they are interested in.

 

[Trinity721]

Definitely hit the Magnificent Mile. In my opinion, admission to the Aquarium is a little much. You also have to pay another admission if you want to see the reef exhibit that's there now. If you want to go to the museums and aquarium, there's the Chicago pass that I think you can get for $30 or $40 where you can go to all the museums (Field, Science & Industry, Art Institute) and the aquarium, and maybe the planetarium.

Seeing as you only have one day, this probably wouldn't work for you But I would suggest perhaps having breakfast on the Mile somewhere, and I think they have a cafe at American Girl place. OR you could take them to the Museum of Science and Industry for the day. OR you could go to Navy Pier for the day if it's nice out, and they can go to the Children's Museum there, ride the Ferris Wheel, do some shopping, or go on a boat ride. Lots of options! If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[KarenC]

The thing about the Shedd is that it is something you can only do in Chicago. Yes, the mag mile has great shopping, but you can shop anywhere.

The oceanarium at the Shedd is built right on Lake Michigan. While you're watching the show, there are windows in front of you and it looks like the whales are right in the ocean (well, lake, but its so big it looks like the ocean from where you sit). They also have new touch tanks with star fishes and stuff the kids can interact with.

So what I'm trying to say is that the Shedd isn't just any aquarium. If your kids are in to aquariums, and you can afford the admission, it's probably worth doing. If it's a nice day, Navy Pier is very pretty with restaurants, shopping, boat rides ($$), the Chicago Children's Museum, a big ferris wheel and carousel. The Museum of Science and Industry has lots to do, but it's in Hyde Park which is a fair distance (and hefty cab fare) from downtown.

American Girl Place is way cool. My daughter had outgrown her American Girl mania by the time it opened, so I never got to go. They have a play and restaurant. My nieces love it.

Have fun!

 

[KimRaye]

KarenC makes some good points, which is why we have a membership at the Shedd. ALL the other ideas are great, too!

I am surprised at all these DISers tho NOT mentioning the FREE visiting Mickeys on State St.! You could easily go there, take your pics, shop if you want, and eat at various places along that route! THAT gets MY vote!

Enjoy!