Chicago area moms?

CleoKitty

I think we're going to head up to Chicago for a few days over spring break- ds absolutely loves big cities and we're looking for an inexpensive getaway (we've always had great luck at finding super-cheap nice downtown hotels on priceline or hotwire.) 

Anyhow, just want to get a few ideas of things to do while in town on the cheap that the kids would enjoy. Children's Museum/Navy Pier, Aquarium (yeah, not so cheap),  Science and Industry, zoo...anything else I'm missing that you'd add to the list of possibilities?

Especially maybe some things that aren't quite so touristy? (I so miss having friends in the city who were always good about suggesting off-the-beaten-path places to go!)

 

cuwife

You could always do Milwaukee, doesn't sound as cool but you could stay in a hotel downtown (possibly one with a water park in it) and be minutes away from Discovery World, Betty Brinn childrens museum, the Art Museum, regular museum, zoo. It would be a fraction of the price and not that much further away.

It's funny that my friends in Chicago come here and I go there.

KoriBrett

Mus. of Science & Industry and shedd aquarium, both, I think ??? Have a free day.  Mondays maybe ??  It's been awhile.

If you're a nerdy bowler, the Diversy River Bowl is fun LOL

John's Place is an excellent restaurant.  Breakfast especially.  Chile Quiles, YUM.  It's out of the Loop though, Lincoln Park area.

We usually just do movies, bowling, or hang at my sister's house, we haven't done touristy stuff in ages. 

FooBride

Definitely check online which days are free at the various museums.  If the weather is not too great for the zoo, check out the Nature Museum which is
"next door" to the north. They have great hands on stuff for the kids plus the upstairs is a butterfly garden in a greenhouse. 

 

Angela814

cuwife:

You could always do Milwaukee, doesn't sound as cool but you could stay in a hotel downtown (possibly one with a water park in it) and be minutes away from Discovery World, Betty Brinn childrens museum, the Art Museum, regular museum, zoo. It would be a fraction of the price and not that much further away.

It's funny that my friends in Chicago come here and I go there.

If you come up to Milwaukee, I would love to meet up with you!

swanstdl

I'm not sure when you are visiting, so the weather could impact your activities...Chicago is a great city!! (of course, I'm biased)

Lincoln Park Zoo is free.  You can walk around at Navy Pier without an admission cost, Millenium Park is great during any season, in summer the fountains are fun to play in, you can dine al fresco and there are movies and concerts in the park, iceskating is available in the colder months, the restaurant is open all year.

Kohl's Children's Museum is a great place to spend the day, as are the Museum of Science and Industry (south,in the U of Chicago area), the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.  The Adler Planetarium has a schedule of events that are usually very worthwhile and would just take an hour or two. 

If you haven't done a tour, you can do a Chicago Trolley tour or one on water through the Architecture Foundation. Or just ride the el or rent bikes and ride along the lakefront. 

There's a Hershey Store on N. Michigan Ave. near Water Tower Place and the American Girl store is there, too. And fantastic shopping on the Magnificent Mile.

Fun kid dining experiences might include Ed Debevic's, Rock 'n Roll MacDonald's.  We also have great ethic restaurants in Greek Town, China Town and our version of Little Italy near the University of Illinois at Chicago.