Chicago with Kids

[Jimbo]

We're taking our granddaughters to Chicago next month for two nights. The older one is turning 12, and loves Chicago, so this is her birthday trip.

We've taken them down there a few times, and have done a lot of cool things. Among other things we've been to the top of the Hancock (twice), seen Blue Man Group, seen the aquarium, been to American Girl (twice), taken a carriage ride and been to the Children's Museum.

We'll probably repeat a couple of favorites, like American Girl and Hard Rock Cafe. But we're also looking for some new things to try. Any suggestions?

Also, any suggestions for a kid-friendly downtown hotel? Last time we stayed at the Four Seasons, but we'd like to stay somewhere a little cheaper that took 4 people. A pool is a must.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I wouldn’t consider myself a Chicago expert, but our kids have enjoyed the Museum of Science & Industry and the Field Museum of Natural History.

We’re going through Chicago this summer and I hope to spend some time at Millennium Park. I haven’t been there yet, so I don’t know how much time you’d need there, or if it would be fun in March, but it sounds really cool from what I’ve read!

 

[Jimbo]

I wouldn’t consider myself a Chicago expert, but our kids have enjoyed the Museum of Science & Industry and the Field Museum of Natural History.

I liked the Musuem of Science and Industry a lot when I was a kid. But I was a kid a looong time ago! Do they still have the sub and the coal mine? And what kind of shape is the musuem in? I thought I'd heard that it was getting a tad rundown at one time.

 

[Hannathy]

We really enjoyed the double decker bus tour, get a spot on top, and we have been to Chicago before.

Try an Architectural Tour on the Chicago River! This is great My daughter went on this in 5th gr. You ride a boat and they go down the river pointing out all the highlights and changes in Chicago buildings and history ( like changing the direction of the flow) You get to see Chicago from a completely different perspective and learn a lot. All the kids 5&6th graders and teachers,parents liked it a lot.

 

[missmolly]

The Essex Inn is a pretty decent place and they have an indoor pool! "The Essex Inn is one of the only hotels in Chicago to offer a luxurious all-season rooftop swimming pool and fitness center. Located on the fourth floor, this architectural gem has a beautiful garden and views of Grant Park for you to enjoy while you swim or sunbathe."The pool is closed now for work but the website says it will be open March 1st. This is what Have you been to the Science musum or the feild museum? They are both great and I also enjoyed the Adler Planetarium. The Zoos (linkon park and brookfeild) are both fantastic as well. We almost planned a trip to Chicago this March but decided to go to US/IOA instead. Have fun in Chicago

 

[Hannathy]

Jimbo didn't see your question while I was posting BUT yes and yes.
When we were there last spring the sub was out being refurbished but was due back soon. The coal mine was there and pretty cool. I didn't think it was too run down but very crowded and impossible to eat at. The kids wanted ice cream in the ice cream parlor in the small town but the line was about 40 people out the door ! and very slow. We settled for chips from the machine until later.
The train simulation ride is pretty good.

 

[TxJasmine]

We took our kids to Chicago a few years ago, and one of our favorite places was the Museum of Science and Industry. It is truly outstanding, and one of the best (and most fun) science museums in the country. They had the sub, the mine, the train, etc. Well worth a visit. Also, what about Navy Pier? My kids really enjoyed the ferris wheel, miniature golf, and some of the other attractions at the pier.

 

[redbirdgrad]

Embassy Suites on State or the Hotel Intercontinental on Michigan both have pools - and good locations.

 

[aprncess]

Having lived here all my life, I highly recommend the Museum of Science and Industry...you can spend all day there and never be bored. If your looking for a nice place to eat try Gino's East pizza, the stuffed pizza is great and dont forget to bring a marker or some white out to sign their walls (everybody does). Another great place for lunch is Ed Dabevic's (wonderful time if you have a sence of humor) If you take your daughter here, do not forget to order her the worlds smallest sundae, even if she is stuffed and cannot eat another single bite....you will be glad you did. I simply cannot suggest a hotel as I have never had a reason to stay downtown. If I can think of any place else I will update!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

The Essex Inn is a pretty decent place and they have an indoor pool! "The Essex Inn is one of the only hotels in Chicago to offer a luxurious all-season rooftop swimming pool and fitness center. Located on the fourth floor, this architectural gem has a beautiful garden and views of Grant Park for you to enjoy while you swim or sunbathe."The pool is closed now for work but the website says it will be open March 1st. This is what Have you been to the Science musum or the feild museum? They are both great and I also enjoyed the Adler Planetarium. The Zoos (linkon park and brookfeild) are both fantastic as well. We almost planned a trip to Chicago this March but decided to go to US/IOA instead. Have fun in Chicago

I think going from the Four Seasons to the Essex Inn may be a bit of a shock to the system, I recommend the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker (1/2 block east of Michgan), they have an indoor pool, I find it kid friendly.

 

[Jimbo]

I think going from the Four Seasons to the Essex Inn may be a bit of a shock to the system, I recommend the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker (1/2 block east of Michgan), they have an indoor pool, I find it kid friendly.

Good suggestion! I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency a couple of times, and I think our 12YO-to-be will really like it. She's impressed by glitz and that's a big, glitzy place as I recall. There website doesn't show a pool, though. Are you sure they have one? It wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't have one, but it'd be nice.

Embassy Suites on State or the Hotel Intercontinental on Michigan both have pools - and good locations..

We took the girls to both of these places, and had a good time both times. The Intercontinental's pool was especially nice, and maybe we'll stay there again. Although DW nearly had a heart attack when our fearless 6YO granddaughter jumped into the 10 foot deep section!

 

[Jimbo]

Having lived here all my life, I highly recommend the Museum of Science and Industry...you can spend all day there and never be bored. If your looking for a nice place to eat try Gino's East pizza, the stuffed pizza is great and dont forget to bring a marker or some white out to sign their walls (everybody does). Another great place for lunch is Ed Dabevic's (wonderful time if you have a sence of humor) If you take your daughter here, do not forget to order her the worlds smallest sundae, even if she is stuffed and cannot eat another single bite....you will be glad you did. I simply cannot suggest a hotel as I have never had a reason to stay downtown. If I can think of any place else I will update!

Thanks for the suggestions. I think Ed's would be a hit. And it sounds like a day at the Musueum of Science and Industry is a must!

 

[Jimbo]

Also, what about Navy Pier? My kids really enjoyed the ferris wheel, miniature golf, and some of the other attractions at the pier.

I've been to Navy Pier a couple of times, but I never really figured the place out. I know it's popular, but it seemed kind of small. What kinds of attractions do they have? I see that they have an Imax, and it's showing the new Harry Potter movie. Maybe we'll go just for that.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Jimbo, I stand corrected, the Hyatt Regency doesn't have a pool. You see the other day I was making arrangments for some attorneys to come to a meeting here in Chicago. I looked at several hotels, went to the Hyatt website and saw a pool for the Regency and I remember thinking "how wierd, I never knew they had a pool"....so that's where I got the pool idea. But I still think its a very exciting hotel. I love just to sit in the lobby and take it all in.

Sorry for the bad info!