Going to Chicago Father's Day Weekend; Tips Welcome!

[RN4Babies]

My kids and I are heading to Chicago June 19th to celebrate ds18's high school graduation. We're driving down from the Milwaukee area; I have reservations to stay in the Lombard area (much more reasonably priced than staying in downtown Chicago!).

So far, we're planning on going to the Museum of Science and Industry (including the Harry Potter exhibit!) that Friday. On Saturday, we'll be taking in the Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. One of those days, we might head to Millenium Park as well. We will be leaving by 11am on Sunday because I have to work a 12 hour shift that night, so other than relaxing at the hotel, we don't have anything else planned for that morning.

I know about the trolleys, the trains, etc, but we'll probably be driving to our destinations. I have an electric scooter I have to use at times because I"m weak from cancer treatment, and driving lets us transport the scooter without much of a hassle.

I haven't been to Chicago for a few years. Does anyone have any "must sees" or "must eat at restaurants" that would be enjoyable for kids? My ds wants to eat a meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp, but other than that we have a lot of flexibility.

TIA for your help and suggestions!!

 

[Minnie824]

Since you're in Lombard (right by Oak Brook) I would suggest some shopping at Oak Brook mall. Dinner - some are chains, but so good -> Brio, Wildfire, Pompei (this is near hotel).

 

[daughtersrus]

If you can, stop by a Garrett Popcorn. It WONDERFUL!

How old are your children? There's a nice children's museum in Naperville (not too far from Lombard). Brookfield Zoo is also a very nice zoo if you have the time.

 

[Glenn]

It sounds like you have a pretty full schedual already. Have you pre bought tickets for the Harry Pottter exhibit? I here it sells out, especially on weekends. Hate to have you get there & not be able to see it. I think you can do that on the museums web site. You also have the planetarium close to the shed if that is of any interest to your family. Have fun here.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you can, stop by a Garrett Popcorn. It WONDERFUL!

How old are your children? There's a nice children's museum in Naperville (not too far from Lombard). Brookfield Zoo is also a very nice zoo if you have the time.

Maybe I'll bring my little ones there when I visit my sister (I'm guessing ds11 and dd12 would be bored?). My sister used to live in Lincoln Park, walking distance to the zoo, so it's just not as much fun now that she's in Naperville (or Napertucky, as she calls it - she's a city girl). Anything to do in Naperville with tweens/teens? They have great shopping, but everytime I take dd12, my sister comes along with her 3 year old, and it doesn't go well.

 

[mjkacmom]

Oh, for the OP, we really enjoyed an artitechual boat tour.

 

[MoniqueU]

Oh, for the OP, we really enjoyed an artitechual boat tour.

Yes I was going to say the same thing. And the Shedd is huge, I felt like I had been to disney all day by the time I was done. It was really too much for me. All the fish and everything all sort of blorred together after a bit. I know it's a chain but we really enjoyed Maggiano's. I also discovered I don't like Chicago style pizza.

 

[daughtersrus]

Maybe I'll bring my little ones there when I visit my sister (I'm guessing ds11 and dd12 would be bored?). My sister used to live in Lincoln Park, walking distance to the zoo, so it's just not as much fun now that she's in Naperville (or Napertucky, as she calls it - she's a city girl). Anything to do in Naperville with tweens/teens? They have great shopping, but everytime I take dd12, my sister comes along with her 3 year old, and it doesn't go well.

There are three zoos in the Chicago area~ Lincoln Park downtown, Brookfield Zoo west of Chicago in the suburb of Brookfield. ( If you're in Naperville, you could take the train into Brookfield and be pretty close. Personally, I like this one much better. ) and Phillips Zoo in Aurora (just west of Naperville). I have never been to Phillips but it's part of the Park District.

http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home
http://www.aurora-il.org/ParksAndRecreation/MunicipalParks/PhillipsParkZoo/

If you're coming in the summer, Bolingbrook and Woodridge both have nice outdoor pools. Bolingbrook also has an indoor pool that is open all year with a splash area for smaller children. Naperville has a man made beach.

Pelican Harbor is in Bolingbrook.
http://www.bolingbrookparks.org/Attractions_and_Facilities/Pelican_Harbor/General_Information.aspx

Cypress Cove is in Woodridge.
http://www.woodridgeparks.org/park_cypress-cove.htm

Centennial Beach is in Naperville.
http://www.napervilleparks.org/webpages/index.aspx?webpageid=1000387

If you like to shop, there is Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, The Promenade in Bolingbrook (with an IKEA and Bass Pro Shop), Yorktown in Lombard, Oak Brook Mall and Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora (Yorktown, Oak Brook and the Outlet are all off of I88)

Naperville also has Naper Settlement.
http://www.napersettlement.org/visitorinfo/index.html

If you will be in the area the end of June, there will be an international paintball tournament June 24-28 on the ground of Pelican Harbor in Bolingbrook.

There are A LOT of golf courses in the area as well if you like to golf. Some are 9 hole park district courses that are pretty inexpensive all the way up to country clubs.

I'll rack my brain and see what else I can think of.

 

[mjkacmom]

There are three zoos in the Chicago area~ Lincoln Park downtown, Brookfield Zoo west of Chicago in the suburb of Brookfield. ( If you're in Naperville, you could take the train into Brookfield and be pretty close. Personally, I like this one much better. ) and Phillips Zoo in Aurora (just west of Naperville). I have never been to Phillips but it's part of the Park District.

http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home
http://www.aurora-il.org/ParksAndRecreation/MunicipalParks/PhillipsParkZoo/

If you're coming in the summer, Bolingbrook and Woodridge both have nice outdoor pools. Bolingbrook also has an indoor pool that is open all year with a splash area for smaller children. Naperville has a man made beach.

Pelican Harbor is in Bolingbrook.
http://www.bolingbrookparks.org/Attractions_and_Facilities/Pelican_Harbor/General_Information.aspx

Cypress Cove is in Woodridge.
http://www.woodridgeparks.org/park_cypress-cove.htm

Centennial Beach is in Naperville.
http://www.napervilleparks.org/webpages/index.aspx?webpageid=1000387

If you like to shop, there is Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, The Promenade in Bolingbrook (with an IKEA and Bass Pro Shop), Yorktown in Lombard, Oak Brook Mall and Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora (Yorktown, Oak Brook and the Outlet are all off of I88)

Naperville also has Naper Settlement.
http://www.napersettlement.org/visitorinfo/index.html

If you will be in the area the end of June, there will be an international paintball tournament June 24-28 on the ground of Pelican Harbor in Bolingbrook.

There are A LOT of golf courses in the area as well if you like to golf. Some are 9 hole park district courses that are pretty inexpensive all the way up to country clubs.

I'll rack my brain and see what else I can think of.

Thanks - we've never been the the brookfield zoo, because she lived in lincoln park. We will be there during paintball - I'll look into that, I think ds11 would enjoy it. I'll print out your post, and take it with me.

 

[RN4Babies]

Thanks to everyone for your replies!

Yes, I already have our tickets for the Harry Potter exhibit. We've been to the planetarium in the past, as well as the Field Museum. We haven't been to the Museum of Science and Industry since my son was six years old, so we're looking forward to that (Harry Potter being there is a huge bonus!).

We're going to see if we have time for the architectural boat tour while we're there; I think we'd all enjoy that.

 

[freckles and boo]

Thanks - we've never been the the brookfield zoo, because she lived in lincoln park. We will be there during paintball - I'll look into that, I think ds11 would enjoy it. I'll print out your post, and take it with me.

Brookfield Zoo is huge compared to Lincoln Park Zoo. Plan on a full day if you want to see most of it. You can save some money by packing a picnic (the food prices are steep). There are plenty of places to just plop down and rest.

ETA - I was going to check to see if, with five kids, buying a family membership would be a better deal (even if you don't make it back) when I noticed that on June 29, 30, and July 1 kids 11 and under can get in free.