[ani'smommy]

We're going to Chicago for the weekend of Sept 16 and I need some ideas!

DD is 20 months. I think she'd like the aquarium and the zoo -- is there a children's museum she'd like?

My parents are going too, so DH and I will probably go out at night just the two of us, any ideas?

 

[ConfusedPrincess]

There's the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. When i was a kid I loooved that place and never wanted to leave.

PLus it's educational as well. Other than that haven't been downtown in awhile so i don't know what all they have down there. Have fun when you go!

 

[jrose_lee]

you could go see a show or go to a comedy club.
Here is a link to find out what is going on
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

Hope you enjoy your trip! If going out to eat you should get stuffed pizza or go to the Cheesecake factory or something. Yum!

 

[Jennisee]

I don't live in Chicago, so I'm not an expert, but I have family there and know just enough to be dangerous, LOL.

Are you staying downtown? The only reason I ask is because I wasn't sure if you were talking about Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo. When DD was 15 months, we tried to take her to Brookfield Zoo, and it was a nightmare. I had no idea how HUGE the place is, it was hot, and DD insisted on being carried. We only stayed for about 30 minutes, and wasted a lot of money. With your DD being older, it might be better, especially if she sits in the stroller ok. I've heard Lincoln Park Zoo is smaller, but I've never been there. My DD did enjoy Shedd Aquarium, though, especially the dolphins.

There are some big toy stores on Michigan Avenue. I *think* the Lego store and FAO Schwartz. I believe they have lots of toys out to sample. It would be fun to walk through, even if you didn't buy anything. Of course, that also depends on your child's ability to put down the toys when it's time to go, LOL. I've also heard good things about the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. There are a couple beaches on Lake Michigan.

There are also a ton of things for you and your DH to do in the evenings. Chicago has great steakhouses and pizza parlors. Pizzeria Uno is a favorite of a lot of people. If you like Chinese food, Chinatown is great; we used to eat at a little hole in the wall called Happy Chef, but it's hard to find if you don't know the area. You MUST drive down Lakeshore Drive at night. The skyline is breathtaking at night. The ferris wheel at Navy Pier is fun, but I wouldn't take a little kid on it.

 

[abbieandlady]

Ikea, Ikea, Ikea. The natural history museum is another good one from when I was a kid.

 

[mimim]

FAO Schwartz is gone. The IKEAs are VERY far from the city center.

Whereabouts are you staying? That makes a big difference in how you should plan. Chicago is a big place.

If you are just in for two days I think that the zoo one day and the aquarium the other is enough. You definitely need at least 3 or 4 hours to see all of each and could easily spend all day if you wanted. I definitely like Lincoln Park better than Brookfield and it's free. It's also in the city, about 2 miles from downtown. The aquarium is right on the lakefront in a gorgeous park, next to 2 other world class museums. When we go to the aquarium we like to go for a long walk along the lakefront afterwards. If you wanted to you can take a water taxi from the museum campus over to Navy Pier, which is a huge tourist trap, but does have a pretty cool children's museum.

If you like cheese, then definitely go for pizza. The best places are Lou Malnati's, Pizzeria Uno, or Giordano's. They are all very family friendly, so you could go with your dd or without. Chicago style pizza takes a while to bake though, because it's really thick crust and TONS of cheese.

I recommend a blues club for you and your DH. You can't get much more Chicago than that. Buddy Guy's Legends or Kingston Mines are the best.
Buddy Guy's is just south of downtown, near the museums actually, in a neighborhood that used to be dicey but is getting better. Kingston Mines is near the zoo, in a really upwardly mobile urban neighborhood, but it is still a cool blues club. Both will be crowded on a weekend night. If you want a less authentic experience, you could try House of Blues.

OK, gotta go, DD is done nursing now.

Hope that was helpful!

 

[lauradbg]

I agree with everything mimim said. I just want to add Millenium Park. You can easily check it out as you go to any of the museums. It's right there on Michigan Ave. near the Art Institute. Your babe is a little young, but the Thorne Miniatures downstairs in the Art Institute are very fun to see--several walls of tiny rooms (like a dollhouse) showcasing various periods of interior design. Very cool.

 

[fiddledebi]

Not far -- an easy walk! -- from the Lincoln Park Zoo (which I also highly recommend!) is the Notebaert Nature Museum http://www.chias.org/, which is a neat place too!

And not far from either of those are some nice beaches. Enjoy!!!

 

[spiralmg]

Those last few suggestions are great. Our personal downtown favorites are
1. Navy Pier Children's Museum
2. Lincoln Park Zoo
3. Peggy Notbaert Nature Museum - They have a special room for toddlers with a slide, cave etc. Also, the park beside/north of it is great for nature walks, bird spotting and there is a playground at the north end
4. The playground just between Museum of Contemporary Art and the old WaterTower buildings, behind the Fire Station
5. The Aquarium is great for kids. But allow enough time to park, walk in etc.
6. Millenium Park - the water fountain is perfect for toddlers! Bring extra clothes.
7. On Wednesday, the Green City Market (organic farmer's market) is just west of the Petting Zoo by Lincoln Park Zoo in south Lincoln Park (North Avenue/Clark). There are lots of things to eat, produce, food stands and usually music and cooking demos.

If you want to venture a bit farther afield...
8. Adams Park at Seminary and Armitage has a fun water park and playground and bathrooms (!)
9. Portage Park is up north, west of the Highway on Irving Park. It has limited hours but a really fantastic water park/wading pool.

The Art Institute apparently has an area for kids/toddlers in the basement. I have not been there though.