Kid-friendly Chicago: Family fun in Chi-Town
Description:
This classic weekend trip avoids the "I'm bored" phenomenon by providing kids with many hands-on activities. The Hilton Garden Inn is conveniently located near most of the activities, and kids under 17 stay free! You'll visit many of the usual tourist attractions, but you'll experience them in a fun, family-style. Spanning from Lincoln Park to the Loop, this trip will keep you moving without being too overwhelming for little ones.
Author: Meghann
Day 1 - Chicago
Start your family adventure at Navy Pier, where the kids can create and explore hands-on for hours at the Children's Museum. Take a quick spin around the Pier (beware, the kiddos will be beckoned by souvenirs galore...), and grab a mid-morning snack before taking a quick trip over to the Quack Shack to begin your exciting Duck Tour. After lots of laughs and sights, make your way to the Magnificent Mile for a look into the American Girl Place. If the kids are fans, you can have lunch with the American Girls; otherwise, continue over to Water Tower Place for an eclectic meal at Food Life. If you've had your fill of shopping (the Disney Store and several others might force you into their doors first), head back to the hotel for some splashing around in the pool. For dinner, either order-in or dine out for classic Chicago deep-dish from Pizzeria Uno or Giordano's. After the rich pizza and day of fun, bedtime will surely come without any complaints.
1
Hilton Garden Inn (The)
Location:
view in google maps10 E Grand Ave
60611 Chicago, US
Phone:
+1 312 595 0000 / +1 877 782 94442
Navy Pier
Location:
view in google maps600 E. Grand Ave
At Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
800/595-PIER (outside 312 area code)3
Chicago Children's Museum
Location:
view in google maps700 E. Grand Ave
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
312/527-10004
Chicago Duck Tours
Location:
view in google maps600 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone:
+1 312 461 11335
American Girl Place
Location:
view in google maps835 North Michigan Ave. (Water Tower Place)
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
+1 877 247 52236
Pizzeria Uno
Location:
view in google maps29 E. Ohio St
At Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
312/321-10007
Giordano's
Location:
view in google maps730 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
1 312 951 0747Day 2 - Chicago
Day 2 starts with a big breakfast of morning goodness from The Original Pancake House. The kids will need some good fuel for their day of outdoor adventuring, and these amazing pancakes are sure to satisfy. Be aware the Saturdays are busy, so arrive early and pack a juice box or two in case of a wait. After breakfast, head up to the Lincoln Park Zoo (the Clark Street Bus or taxi are easy routes) for a day of animal exploration and excitement. The zoo is free, so you'll feel okay about spending a few coins on souvenirs and lunch-time snacks. Be sure to check out the Notebaert Nature Musueum, where the kids can have more hands-on learning fun. The lily pond is also an excellent place for Mom or Dad to sneak away for a moment of peace and solitude. When everyone is thoroughly zoo-ed out, head over to the Mayan Palace in Lincoln Park (a short walk, but taxi would be easy). Enjoy a delicious feast of Mexican flavors before heading back to the hotel for a post-dinner whirlpool or swim. If the family is looking for a little more outdoor excitement, an amazing display of fireworks is shot off from Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A short stroll to the lake shore or Grant Park will get you to a perfect viewing spot for the 9:30 show.
1
Original Pancake House (The)
Location:
view in google maps22 East Bellevue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
1 312 642 79172
Lincoln Park Zoo
Location:
view in google maps2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone:
+1 312 742 20003
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Location:
view in google maps2430 N Cannon Dr
Fullerton Ave. and Cannon Dr
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone:
773/755-51004
Mayan Palace
Location:
view in google maps2703 N Halsted
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone:
773 935 4200Day 3 - Chicago
The last big family day in Chicago begins with a trip down to the Shedd Aquarium. The brightly-colored tanks and super-knowledgeable staff will make the hours of fish-watching fly past. Buy lunch at the Aquarium or pack a picnic and dine out on the grassy lawn by the lake before heading North to Millenium Park. If it's a hot day, the kids will love splashing in the gigantic water spouts that shoot out of projections of human faces. Be sure to spend a few hilarious moments looking at your multiplied reflections under Cloud Gate, and take some time to stretch and rest weary legs out on the grass under the Pritzker Pavillion (pack a Frisbee for extra fun!). When everyone is growling for dinner, have a filling meal at the Cheesecake Factory where the gigantic menu is sure to have something suitable for even the pickiest of little eaters. Finish off your trip by getting gussied up to see the latest musical at the Ford Center (http://www.oriental-theater.com/?gclid=CLDy-v2tvpkCFRINDQod7EWHpA) or heading back to the hotel for one more night of swimming pool fun.
1
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Location:
view in google maps1200 S. Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone:
312/939-24382
Millennium Park
Location:
view in google maps222 North Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
+1 312 742 1168 / +1 312 744 3370 (Event Hotline)3
Cloud Gate
Location:
view in google maps222 North Columbus Drive
(AT&T Plaza, Millennium Park)
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
+1 312 742 11684
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Location:
view in google mapsColumbus Drive and Randolph Street
Millennium Park
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
+1 312 742 11685
Cheesecake Factory (The)
Location:
view in google maps875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
1 312 337 1101