Chicago In one Day

[belle22]

Need an itinerary for Chicago in one day with a group of girls from 9-11. I do know that we want to hit the American Girl Store.

 

[faith]

The science museum?

 

[Falltime]

I would spend the day shopping along Michigan Ave and also go to the Hancock building observatory, Millennium Park and Buckingham Fountain

 

[belle22]

9-11 our their ages.

 

[Psychodisney]

I'd second the Hancock if it's a nice day. It's right near American girl. The kids always love going over to the Hershey store which is also very close to Water Tower Place(American Girl). If you're going during the summer, a Lake Michigan/Chicago River tour is nice. The Field Museum and Shed Aquarium are closer to downtown than the Museum of Science and Industry.

 

[mommakacie]

You'll spend quite a bit of time at the American Girl store. The Cheesecake Factory is right across the street. My 10 year old loves that place.

The Science Museum is awesome, but that takes a day in itself.

My kids enjoyed the observatory at the Sears/Willis tower better than Hancock (even though the Hancock is right beside American Girl).

They also thought Navy Pier was really awesome.

My kids enjoy Chicago as much as Disney

And if you're getting worn out, taxis are easy to come by and are fairly cheap for getting around downtown.

Whatever you do, you'll have a great time.

 

[mrsklamc]

The kids always love going over to the Hershey store which is also very close to Water Tower Place(American Girl).

Is Ghiardelli no longer there?

 

[SarahKate]

I just took my 9.5 year old DD to downtown Chicago a few months ago to get her first AG doll. I think there's plenty to do right there downtown without really venturing out of that area.

First of all, I would recommend getting a multi-use bus pass. When we got off the Amtrak, we were directed to a Walgreens across the street whcih sold the passes which were good for 2 days I think. It allows you to just hop on and off whenever you want.

If you have a smartphone, you can pull up on your phone where you're at, where you want to go and it will tell you exactly what bus to hop on. The buses are GREAT and we rode at least 6-8 times that day.....never waited any longer than 2 minutes!

Within walking distance of AG Place you've got the observatory (but kind of pricey to get in....just to look out from the top of a tall building!), Cheesecake Factory, a Disney Store just down the street and GHIRADELLI!!!! Soooo yummy and a great treat for us. There aren't many of those shops around, so it was a special thing. Hershey's shop is just across the street, but honestly it didn't seem that special to us. A whole lot of stuff that you can buy at any store, but they did have a bakery which might have had some yummy stuff.

It would be relatively easy to get a bus to take you down to the Science Museum, Shedd, etc. However, those places will take a huge chunk out of your day.

We had a fantastic time in the city.....enjoy!

 

[mommakacie]

Is Ghiardelli no longer there?

Yes, it's still there.

 

[mrsklamc]

Yes, it's still there.

Whew! Ok good. I haven't been there for a couple of years and when someone suggested Hershey's I was worried.

 

[notsosnowwhite]

Although geographically you're close to Navy Pier, I wouldn't recommend it. It's very...touristy? I think there are so many other great things to do...you're within walking distance to Millennium / Grant park where there are great photo ops at the bean and the Art Institute - by far my favorite part of Chicago. My kids love the art museum and it can be a long or short trip depending on how many galleries you visit.

 

[nilseks]

Instead of going to the Hancock Observatory, go to the Signature Room on the 95th floor for lunch. Best kept secret in Chicago--for less than the price of going into the observatory or admission to the Skydeck at Willis/Sears Tower, you can have lunch on the 95th floor of the Hancock and have in incredible view with windows all around. My kids LOVE it. You have to get there right at 11 am when it opens to get a window seat. It is a formal dinner for restaurant but for lunch you can go in with shorts/tees.

It's directly across the street from AG.