Question About Navy Pier and Other Downtown Attractions for Kids for Santa, Etc

I have not been to Navy Pier for Santa. We personally are not big fans of Navy Pier as it tends to be way over priced, even for Chicago. What I would recommend is going to the Walnut Room at the Macy's on State Street. That's a classic and it's absolutely beautiful there. You will LOVE it and your girls will be amazed at the splendor. And I'm sure being that it's a Macy's, Santa will be there too. FYI - the Walnut Room is a restaurant but decorated extravagantly. It's been a family tradition for us to go there for Christmas, as many other families do too. It really is a sight and just a lovely experience. The Kringle (sp?) market is across the street also. That's a lot of fun to go see as well.

First of all--I love your daughter's names, so cute! Secondly,we have never been to Navy Pier during the winter time events, because my friends tell me that it is too crazy to take young kids, and to wait until they are grade shool age. So I can't help you there. As far as other events: they do have Santa at Phillip's Park in Aurora, as well as a driving experience to see lights. It's free, but I couldn't find the times for Santa on the website. You can call the Eola Community Center at ###-###-#### to find out, or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org to find more information. They also have Santa at Westfield Shopping Mall in Aurora/Naperville, but it's pretty expensive because you can't take your own pictures. I hear the Naperville River Walk is pretty festive also, and might be fun to walk with your girls, depending on how cold it is. Hope this helps, and Merry Christmas!

Sorry I have never been to Navy Pier either, but many of the malls, including Stratford Sq. in Bloomingdale and Charlestowne in St. Charles, let you take the picture with your own camera. There is also a lights display you can walk through/around in Arlington Hts. If you want to make a weekend of it, go to Peoria. They have an awesome lights display to drive through. There's also a great craft fair, andlights display/decorations to walk with a free place to see Santa at the end. Have fun, no matter what you end up doing!

I went to Winter Wonderfest on Navy Pier about 3 years ago and thought it was -- well -- Wonderful! We went after Christmas, and I think it might be a little less busy then. My sister-in-law got some discount tickets through one of her credit cards and I don't remember the cost, but I think once you got in the rides were included in the price. There were a LOT of little kid rides. Not so much for older kids. There was an indoor skating rink that cost extra. I don't remember going outside for anything. We did go into the Navy Pier Mall and shopped too. Sorry I don't know more about the price. I did want to mention that we all thought it was really fun and beautifully decorated.