OT: What to do in Chicago?

[mom0299]

DH and I are taking DD8 to Chicago for Labor Day weekend. We took DS to New York when he was 8 so it is her turn for a trip. Neither of us has ever been to Chicago. We have reservations for dinner at the American Girl Place and we have goChicago cards that get us into several things. We just don't know what are "must sees" for us while we're there. We know we will go to Navy Pier. What else should we do?

TIA!

 

[dameodie]

Honestly if I were you, I'd skip Navy Pier. I never understood the draw...

Our favorite spots are:
The Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
The Brookfield Zoo

Since this trip is for your daughter, you may also consider a trip to the Art Institute. Look for the Throrne Miniature Rooms (if memory serves, they're downstairs). They're GORGEOUS miniature rooms. Like a dollhouse, but different settings. MSI has something similar (The Fairy Castle) but the Thorne rooms are much more vaired and interesting.

Clicky-Linky

 

[mvazul]

What isn't there to do in Chicago???

Definitely head to the Lincoln Park Zoo - it's free!!

Also try some deep dish pizza. My favorites are Pizzeria Due's, Giordano's and Lou Malnatti's.

There is so much to do in Chicago. If you want some more info, please feel free to PM me!

Michelle

 

[sskem96]

I second Lincoln Park Zoo! We make the trip to Chicago just for that! You'll love the American Girl Place too. We had "tea" there for DD10's 8th b-day. The Sears Tower is fun to visit too, but I think it's gotten pretty pricey to ride to the top.

 

[ampc3]

instead of paying to go to the top of the sears tower, go to the John Hancock building by water tower place and go have a drink/soda in their lounge area it is cheaper than the price to the observation deck and the view is incrediable! A fun restaurant for burgers/shakes etc is Ed Debivics (sp?) I think it is on Ontario street the wait staff jokes around with you sortof like a 50's prime time at MGM lots of fun!
Chicago is THE BEST CITY!!!!~~have fun!

 

[alloyd1170]

I grew up in the Chicago burbs. We also like the Shedd Aquarium. The Science and Industry Museum was always one of my fav places to go (guess too many field trips to the Natural Museum did me in)!

Tons of great eating places, and shopping. Michigan Ave, Water Tower Place, American Girl (wish that had been there when I was younger-now I have to wait until dd is older)......Another vote for Ed Debeviks (my brother knew the owners). Millenium (sp) Park is awesome too (bring dds suit as I think she can play in the fountains). Another love of mine was to take the sunset Wendell cruise on the river then out on the lake to see the skyline and Buckingham Fountain at night.

If youre staying a long time, you can catch the Metra train to most suburbs for activities there. I grew up in Naperville and go back yearly. My kids love the Riverwalk, playgrounds, and DuPage Childrens Museum (there is also a kids museum at Navy Pier but Ive never been to it). There are great restaurants and shops there too.

Have a great time! Chicago is my fav place!

alison

 

[Disney Anna]

The Brookfield Zoo is nice, but you would have to take a train from Union Station downtown, it's in the western suburbs.

Lincoln Park Zoo is nice too, and I think it's free.

Milennium Park is cool, pretty gardens, nice to walk around.

I, too, do not understand why people like Navy Pier, I think it's kind of an icky tourist trap. The only thing I like are the views of the city from there.

I love the Art Institute, but not sure if a kid would be into it.

I think it would be great to go up the John Hancock (didn't know about free access to the lounge). My last visit, I went up the Sears Tower. I thought it was worth whatever the cost was. I went early, no line. About an hour later, there was a huge line.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Another vote for the John Hancock center. We love Sunday brunch at the Signature room there. Pricey, but great buffet and incredible city/Lake Michigan views!
Eat at Ed's (as others have said), or Portillos for great Chicago dogs and/or Italian beef, or Flat Top Grill (across from Harpo Studios!)
The Children's Museum at Navy Pier is pretty cool--the rest there, eh--not so much.
I'd suggest going to a Cubs game, but I don't think you'll be able to get tickets. There's always that other (ugh!) Chicago baseball team.
My kids like the Shedd Aquarium, too.
And free trolley rides around Michigan Avenue.
Oh, don't forget a yummy hot fudge brownie sundae at Ghiradelli's! Yum.
A walk along the beach. Or a swim in Lake Michigan.
The Chicago Historical Society has a neat museum, too.
Have a great trip!

 

[mvazul]

The Chicago Historical Society has a neat museum, too.

That is a great place - And Mondays are free - but I'm not sure if they will be open. It was reported on the news that the windows were blown out of their building with the storms we had here yesterday. I haven't heard anything more about it today.

I give another vote for Ed Debevic's. It's an awesome place - very fun and family friendly. The Shedd Aquarium is awesome and they have a new baby Beluga. In fact, all of the Museum Campus is great to visit (Soldier Field, Shedd Aquarium, the Planetarium and the Field Museum - AKA Natural History Museum).

 

[mom0299]

Thanks to everyone. We have some great ideas and are looking forward to a wonderful trip.

Anne

 

[wrighter]

And when you're walking down Michigan Avenue, if you see a really long line (like out the door!) at a little place called Garrett's - get in line! It's not really "something to do," but Garrett's is a Chicago tradition. Best carmelcorn I've ever had - worth waiting for every time I get to go back. (Oprah must think it's great, too, because one year she put it on her Christmas gift show. I think she also mentioned that many celebrities who come on her show ask to have Garrett's in the green room.)

Have a great time - Chicago is a wonderful city.

 

[susykt4]

I have to disagree with previous posters about Navy Pier. My kids (7 and almost 5) love the children's museum and the Ferris wheel. They love running around the (uh) glass room with the jumping fountains. DD loves the Build-a Bear. My brother and SIL who live in the city DO get sick of taking people to Navy Pier and I wouldn't want to go there all the time either, but it's worth it for a one time trip or every few years. We too prefer the children's museum in Naperville but that would be quite a drive (and away from the excitement of the city) for a weekend trip.

My kids LOVE Millenium Park and just walking around the city. Both zoos are great and the aquarium RULES (but it's $$$) Have fun!

 

[shazen]

All the previous posts were good suggestions. Let me add one more. The High School Musical Tour will be performing downtown through Sunday, I believe. If you daughter likes HSM you might want to look into that... You can get tickets through Ticketmaster.

As a former resident of Chicago and current resident of Naperville, I'll chime in on the children's museums. We've been to both this year and IMHO DuPage (Naperville) is a better museum for younger kids (preschoolers), whereas Chicago has more for older kids. But both are fun and worthwhile!