Chicago for Kids

Message

Bixby17 · #1 Post by **Bixby17** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:58 pm

We are schedule to go to Chicago in January (!) with our kids.

We are obviously looking to do some fun indoor things. (As we are likely not going to get that warmish weather they've had). We will be staying sorta near the Water Tower thingy.

I've been to Chicago before, but I mostly did shopping and eating and a little Art Institute.

For thems who know Chicago more better, what things would you do if you were having a child oriented trip to Chicago in January?

BackInTex · #2 Post by **BackInTex** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:01 pm

When Mike Ditka was around you could go to a Bears game in January.

The Bears don't play much in January any more.

mrkelley23 · #3 Post by **mrkelley23** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:10 pm

I haven't seen some of the more famous Children's Museums (like the Exploratorium in San Francisco) but the Children's Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium are all among the tops I've ever seen.

http://www.msichicago.org/ (Just noticed that they have FREE admission in January! to celebrate 75th anniversary)

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/

You could easily spend an entire day at any one of these three. When we were younger and had more stamina, we would take hundreds of kids there on field trips in one day (6 HOURS on a bus each way!). Always worth every penny.

silvercamaro · #4 Post by **silvercamaro** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:17 pm

Mr. K has three-fourths of the list.

I'd put the Museum of Science and Industry at the top of my list, and I would add the Art Institute. My oldest son declared the Art Institute to be his favorite place on the planet at age five. As artistic as Jackson is, I think he would love it, and Jessica will find stuff that she likes or makes her laugh, too.

geoffil · #5 Post by **geoffil** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:43 pm

The first thing is to bring warm hats, gloves, boots and coats. If you have a daughter, the American Girl doll store is great, if you like to see great views the Hancock Observatory has an observation deck, Adler Planetarium, watch an Ivillage live show at NBC, Jerry Springer taping (just kidding), outdoor ice skating at Daley Center, behind the scenes tour of the show Wicked or see Wicked and shopping on Michigan Ave.

5LD · #6 Post by **5LD** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:51 pm

I'll add a third voice to the Museum of Science and Industry. I LOVED it as a kid. Still would.

Catfish · #7 Post by **Catfish** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:05 pm

PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Lou Malnati's.

The Shedd Aquarium is the bestest thing to do in Chicago. The aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium are all on one campus, and they are all cool. You could spend a whole day at each. The Museum of Science and Industry is in a completely different neighborhood rather distant from those.

The Wendella boat rides are the second best thing, but they only run from April to November.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is open all year, and I think it's still free.

Kazoo65 · #8 Post by **Kazoo65** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:25 pm

Chicago is one of my favorite places!

The Museum of Science and Industry is fun--I remember going there as a kid and loving all the hands-on stuff.

The Field Museum is neat, too. Check out Tyrannosaurus Sue-she's right in the lobby-you can't miss her!

Shedd Aquarium is really cool-went there a couple years ago and found out they had totally redone it-it looked different from what I remembered.

Both the Sears Tower and Hancock Center have great observation decks.

ToLiveIsToFly · #9 Post by **ToLiveIsToFly** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:57 pm

What everyone else is saying. The Children's Museum is not to be missed. It's out on Navy Pier, which has lots of other shopping and eating for kids.

There is also the Kohl Children's Museum. I'd heard great things about it, but I drove by it recently and it wasn't there, but then I saw signs for it somewhere else, so I think it just moved to new housing.

The Lifeline Theater (http://www.lifelinetheatre.com/performances/index.shtml) has excellent shows for children. It's showing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" all through January.

And for god's sake, take them on the El, especially around the Loop. Kids love trains, and you can see so much of downtown out the windows.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #10 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:04 pm

Bixby17 wrote:We are schedule to go to Chicago in January (!) with our kids.

We are obviously looking to do some fun indoor things. (As we are likely not going to get that warmish weather they've had). We will be staying sorta near the Water Tower thingy.

I've been to Chicago before, but I mostly did shopping and eating and a little Art Institute.

For thems who know Chicago more better, what things would you do if you were having a child oriented trip to Chicago in January?

You could take Jessica to the American Girl Place. My girls liked the California and New York versions.

Bixby17 · #11 Post by **Bixby17** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:14 pm

Catfish wrote:PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Lou Malnati's.

The Shedd Aquarium is the bestest thing to do in Chicago. The aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium are all on one campus, and they are all cool. You could spend a whole day at each. The Museum of Science and Industry is in a completely different neighborhood rather distant from those.

The Wendella boat rides are the second best thing, but they only run from April to November.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is open all year, and I think it's still free.

Thanks all for the comments.

Jackson has been reading about Chicago in guide books I gave him. He has been walking around saying that Chicago is known for their fat pizza and steak. He wants to eat pizza and he wants to eat steak.

He really enjoyed pizza in NYC and wants to make the comparison to see which one he likes better.

He really enjoys food.

As for the MSI, I can't really judge how far away it is cab-ridish from the Hancock building area. Maps can show you miles but can't really give you a sense of travel time.

Appa23 · #12 Post by **Appa23** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:05 pm

Bixby17 wrote:
Catfish wrote:PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Lou Malnati's.

The Shedd Aquarium is the bestest thing to do in Chicago. The aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium are all on one campus, and they are all cool. You could spend a whole day at each. The Museum of Science and Industry is in a completely different neighborhood rather distant from those.

The Wendella boat rides are the second best thing, but they only run from April to November.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is open all year, and I think it's still free.
Thanks all for the comments.

Jackson has been reading about Chicago in guide books I gave him. He has been walking around saying that Chicago is known for their fat pizza and steak. He wants to eat pizza and he wants to eat steak.

He really enjoyed pizza in NYC and wants to make the comparison to see which one he likes better.

He really enjoys food.

As for the MSI, I can't really judge how far away it is cab-ridish from the Hancock building area. Maps can show you miles but can't really give you a sense of travel time.

It has been nearly 10 years since we went to Chicago, but I recall that we took a bus to visit Shedd Aquarium, MSI, and several of the places listed. However, we stayed at the Marriott on Michigan Aveneue (easily within walking distance of Navy Pier, even in the rain).

Let us know how the kids enjoy it. We almost took our two oldest a couple years back (via Amtrak b/c of our train-crazy son), but we eneded up cancelling the trip for some reason.

You received lots of good suggestions here (especially The American Girl Store, if your daughter is at all into dolls.)

Catfish · #13 Post by **Catfish** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:57 pm

Bixby17 wrote:As for the MSI, I can't really judge how far away it is cab-ridish from the Hancock building area. Maps can show you miles but can't really give you a sense of travel time.

It'd be a heckuva a cab ride expense-wise, but a good cab driver could get you from the Hancock to the MSI in 20 minutes. There's a system of free trolleys that go among Water Tower Place, Navy Pier, the museum campus, and several stops in the Loop. One of those trolleys may go to MSI. If not, it's pretty easy to get there by CTA bus.

I agree with Mr. ToLive about the El.

And Navy Pier, which has always been one of my son's (now 14) favorite places. The Ferris wheel may be open all year, and there's an Imax. We like to eat at Joe's Bebop Cafe and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company there. He and I can recite Forrest Gump almost verbatim, much to my husband's dismay.

lilyvonschtupp26 · #14 Post by **lilyvonschtupp26** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:58 am

Bix,

Find out if they are running the culture buses. If you're near Hancock, you can catch a culture bus that stops at all the museums.

Go to the basement of Art Institute. The Thorne miniature rooms are a big hit with kids. There is also an interactive kids area to play with art stuff down there. The kids also love the armor room.

Of course, you have to go see American Gothic (Nancy Christy's favorite painting).

Let me know when you're coming. I'd be happy to meet with your family and do a little tour-guide stuff!

Also Museum of Science & Industry is great fun because everything is interactive. The IMAX theater there is unique because is cone-shaped and you really feel like you are inside the experience. I have some passes I can get to you if you give me your address. e-mail me at yahoo.

would love to meet you!

minimetoo26 · #15 Post by **minimetoo26** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:17 am

I haven't been since Stephen was Erin's age. So it's been 11 years. But the people there were remarkably nice. I travel a lot, and I still remember how nice everyone was.

I took the kids to the top of the Hancock Building (I only had two then, and they were almost 2 and barely 3 at the time) and to Grant Park, alone with the two kids, and I felt safe. When my husband could join us after meetings, we went to Shedd Aquarium (AWESOME!) and the Navy Pier (I don't know if they still have the giant Ferris Wheel.) We also saw a hockey game at the United Center, but that is in such a bad neighborhood and you can't get a cab after the game, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a rental car and an escape plan

My husband hes gone with Rain Man and took him to the museum (they had the King Tut exhibit last time they went) and when he's there alone he goes to the American Girl place and gets something for Erin (he got her a Bitty Baby when she was 5 months old, and now she's finally big enough for the clothing. Their stuff runs slim, so it's great for her!)

#16 Post by **littlebeast13** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:21 am

Bixby17 wrote:We are schedule to go to Chicago in January (!)

It can't be any colder than it was when I was up there in May of 2006....

lb13

silvercamaro · #17 Post by **silvercamaro** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:03 am

minimetoo26 wrote:
We also saw a hockey game at the United Center, but that is in such a bad neighborhood and you can't get a cab after the game, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a rental car and an escape plan

Chicago story: When my oldest son was about 5, we took him to see the Ice Capades. At that time, the Cabrini-Green projects were still standing, right across the street from the ice arena. We had taken a train in from the suburbs and a cab from the station. After it was over, as you have noted, there were no cabs. Period. We were in a quandry. A policeman evidently overheard part of our conversation, but didn't say anything to us. Within a couple of minutes, an off-duty cab pulled up and the driver ran into the lobby to buy a program for his sick daughter.

The cop waited until the cabbie had his program, then tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I realize you're off duty, but there's a nice young family over there who needs a ride back to the train station. I think you should go back to work long enough to give it to them, or else I'll have to write you a ticket for illegal parking."

We got the ride. Despite the circumstances, the cab driver was a sweetheart. We sent along our best wishes for a fast recovery for his daughter and tipped big.

minimetoo26 · #18 Post by **minimetoo26** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:12 am

We were looking for a cab, and the guy said just get on the bus, and quickly, to Michigan Avenue and get a cab there. So we did. We had two toddlers carrying stuffed animals, and were slow-moving, easy prey. We could have had "TOURIST" tattoed on our foreheads in neon ink...

Catfish · #19 Post by **Catfish** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:44 am

minimetoo26 wrote:and to Grant Park

Ooh-ooh, how could I not have mentioned this before?

The third coolest thing is the new stuff in Grant Park, the section which I guess is called Millennium Park, anyway, the north end, where the bean is. And it's free! I doubt the fountain will be working, and I'm not sure whether the faces will be changing in the thing with the changing faces, but the bean is worth a visit for its own sake. You can face west from there and mourn the loss of Marshall Field's. I think the skating rink is also in this area.

Across Michigan Ave from the bean are very nice public bathrooms in the cultural and welcome center that used to be the main library. There's also a Corner Bakery should you need coffee, hot chocolate, sandwiches, or a quiet place to sit. There's a Chicago gift and book shop in that building as well.

You mentioned that Jackson likes food. The last time I was wandering around in the nice bathrooms/State St area, I saw student chefs working in the front windows of a culinary school. When I went back later in the day, they were gone, so it may just be a lunch time thing, but that might be fun for him to see. The WLS news studio is on street level on State St in this area--right across from the Chicago Theater. Actually, it's right on the spot where I met Spock, Kusch, Uly, Jaybee and Enbee, Vails, HFJai, Cori, Ace, Aussie, HoosierHoopster, and others lo those many years ago.

And if you make it that far, you may as well continue over and down a couple of blocks to see the Picasso sculpture on which you can slide.

If you are in the Loop, it is fun to walk across the bridges and to get on a bridge and look up or down river at the others.

We also like to walk through hotel lobbeys. The Palmer House has a very nice one.

As you may be able to tell, my family is easy and cheap to entertain.

mellytu74 · #20 Post by **mellytu74** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:18 pm

Chicago is one of my favorite cities.

I don't have much to add here because all my good suggestions are gone but I want to put in a plug for my favorite El line.

If I am just going for a ride and have no particular destination, I like the Brown Line to Ravenswood.

Not only do you get the thrill of the Loop, cutting close the buildings and everything but, as it moves further out, the El tracks dip and cut. Almost like the old an amusement park scenic rides.

IIRC, the neighborhood is for the adventureous, so you might want to come right back.

lilyvonschtupp26 · #21 Post by **lilyvonschtupp26** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:41 pm

Cat just mentioned student chefs! There are 2 marvelous cooking schools; Washburne is right by Science & Industry and they have a marvelous cafe that serves during the day (got great reviews from Check, Please! a local PBS program reviewing restaurants)

The other school, Kendall College is near the loop on Chicago Avenue. They have the most marvelous lunch program. The students cook and serve the greatest food!

Also, I forgot to mention the Freedom Museum. It's located on Michigan Avenue in the Chicago Tribune building. It's an amazing interactive place focused on the Bill of Rights. I was trying to visit it with Skoop last visit, but didn't get there. Kept very topical and thought-provoking.

Bixby17 · #22 Post by **Bixby17** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:43 am

Thanks all for the comments.

Lily, I would love to see you but the spouse isn't much of a planning type. It's easier to meet up with BBs with no spouse/kids in tow as there is no "you meeting with someone you met on the internets" thing?

It's expected to be very cold when we are there. I'm thinking we might have to bring the long underwear. My kids have never been in temperatures less than 30 degrees, and in Houston, you never walk anywhere because you can drive to anyplace you want to go and park right up front. The kids hope to see snow. I want to see enough that it makes the kids happy but doesn't mess with the airports.

themanintheseersuckersuit · #23 Post by **themanintheseersuckersuit** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:09 am

Bixby17 wrote: It's expected to be very cold when we are there. I'm thinking we might have to bring the long underwear.

Based my experience as as South Carolinian in Chicago in February 3 years ago, let me say there is no doubt that you should take every piece of warm clothing you own and then some.

Catfish · #24 Post by **Catfish** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:17 pm

themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:
Bixby17 wrote: It's expected to be very cold when we are there. I'm thinking we might have to bring the long underwear.
Based my experience as as South Carolinian in Chicago in February 3 years ago, let me say there is no doubt that you should take every piece of warm clothing you own and then some.

Indeed. Up here 30 degrees isn't considered cold. It's when the hats come off and the coats get unbuttoned.

lilyvonschtupp26 · #25 Post by **lilyvonschtupp26** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:54 pm

No problem, Bix. I understand. My hubby's the same way too, that's why I didn't try to meet up with anyone in NYC last summer.

btw, if you can get to the Field Museum they'll have a field day with the Egyptian exhibit and the mummies.

Enjoy your visit. The kids will need gloves for sure. It's staying in the 30's and been pretty windy.

Also, there's a really cool play, Hephaestus, playing at the Lookingglass Theater. Here's the link. It's circus theater. It's 70 minutes long in a really small theater and they are doing ring work, trapeze, silks, lyric hoop and rhythmic gymnastics so close you can touch them. Daughter and I saw it last Thursday night. The narrator is a 10-year old girl.
http://www.lookingglasstheatre.org/

WWTBAM Bored

Chicago for Kids

Chicago for Kids

Re: Chicago for kids

Re: Chicago for Kids

Re: Chicago for Kids