Shedds Aquarium

If you take them to Brookfield zoo, they have a feed/touch sting ray exhibit. This might be a better option if you are going to Lego land. They are about 30 minutes apart, but you could skip city traffic.

My kids love the Shed, but they prefer the zoo.

I have a membership to the Shed, and I highly recommend getting tickets to the reef.

Momof4 is confused -- the Shedd IS the one right next to The Field Museum and the planetarium. Science and Industry is far down on the south side down near U of C.

I'm not sure if you are planning this for a one-day trip, but I wanted to add that Lego Land is in Schaumburg, not in Chicago. Depending on traffic, it can be a 45-60 minute trip from one to the other. When deciding on what you want to spend at the Shedd Aquarium, don't forget to factor in parking costs as well.

Also, the Museum of Science and Industry is NOT literally next door to the Shedd. The Shedd is part of the museum campus in the south loop, which also includes the Field Museum. The Museum of Science and Industry is in Hyde Park, approximately 15 minutes from the south loop.

We spent a week in Chicago last summer and went to the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, the Alder Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium.

I'm sorry to continue the argument, but the museum campus includes all of the above except the Museum of Science and Industry.

Before we left, I read many, many on-line reviews that suggested arriving to Shedd early! Apparently it gets very busy througout the day. I insisted we get there when it opened, and my husband laughed at me because we arrived about 30 minutes after it opened, and there was a very short line (about 10 people in front of us). The kids (3 1/2 and 6 years old) loved it! We stayed about 3 or 4 hours. As we were leaving we noticed that the line was out the door ... and down the steps and down the street. We overheard someone about halfway through the line say, "I think the wait is only about 45 minutes at this point." Wow! I highly recommend doing Shedd first! And getting there when it opens or shortly thereafter.

Because we were in town for a week and wanted to go to several museums, we did buy the Chicago CityPass, which included tickets to a couple of shows. The kids enjoyed the 4D show (it was Ice Age). We went to the dolphin show, which was mostly educational and not very entertaining (compared to Sea World). Might be more intersting for a 9 year old. We also had tickets to see the jellyfish (total waste of time!).

Hope that helps!

I have not been to Shedd in a while, but you may want to consider the Museum of Science and Industry. I know does not sound interesting, but my girls love this museum and so do I. There are so many things to see and it is very interactive for both. I have a 9 year old and a 2 year old and both of them find things to do.

**Mom to One is correct, there is a big travel difference so make sure you factor that in.

I would go to the Museum of Science and Industry. Lots to do and takes all day. Absolutely love it.

My six yr old loves Legoland. It is not that big like the one in CA. They have a small ride, one scheduled building session, Lego factory where they explain how the blocks are made and a big play area where the kids build their cars and race them on a track. My son never gets bored in the play area. There are always many kids around the race track who just race together. I had a yearly pass and would take him whenever I liked since we used to live close. He would never get bored in the play area. Museum of science and industry is the place to be. It is the second best science center in the country and is also on the list of best science centers in the world. You won't have time to finish seeing everything unless you are there in the mornings when the door opens. So much to see, so much to learn even for us. Love it ! Shedd is also good if your son likes to see sea animals and the shows. But I recommend the museum nice you wanted hands on.

Lego Land is far from Shedd (there is no "s" at the end) plus traffic is going to be at least an hour maybe longer.

The Shedd is not next to any of the museums, it's at least a 15 minute drive. Plus $25-$30 parking for each venue.

The Field Museum, Science of Industry & Planetarium are closer together.

The Shedd does have a small play area that is not very fun, especially for a 9 yr old.

We went when my kids were 5 and 7 -- I don't remember a lot of details, but they LOVED it (I think that's where they had a shark petting tank, but we visit too many to remember!). We were there three weeks after LegoLand opened, and that was a huge hit, too. I highly recommend the Field museum, as well - especially at 9 years old. But I will say one disclaimer -- we are museum people -- our whole family loves going to museums, so the kids never get bored. I'm always surprised when other families tell me their kids are bored in museums -- I can't think of one time we were, even when they were little. If you belong to any museums or zoos right now, there may be reciprocity between your institution and the Shedd or the Field, meaning you can get discounted or free tickets. And if you think you'll ever return, a lot of places will allow you to purchase a membership at the end of your visit and apply the cost of your day's ticket to the membership. Usually museum memberships are only a little bit more than the cost of three or four individual tickets, so basically they pay for themselves in one to two visits. And I wouldn't discount any part of the Shedd just because you have the Detroit Zoo. We have the Columbus Zoo, which for several years in a row has ranked as the best zoo in the country, and other I love seeing how other zoos display and interpret the habitat.

We enjoyed the Shedd Aquarium a great deal. We did go to the IMAX movie (it was the Polar Express), and we did see the live show. Personally, I'd skip the show.

The lower floor has a child dress up station to become penguins, and there was a play submarine to play in.

I remember being able to touch sea stars; I don't remember the other animal we could touch.

The one thing I do remember is the line. The special pre-paid ticket thing is worth the trouble.

we did the imax movie. the dolpon show. and went downstairs kids could touch starfish. it was insanely crowded.. (spring break)

we had visited the aquarium in florida a few months earlier.. and florida was much better.

I LOVED that aquarium--went a few years back. And the Museum of Science & Industry is literally next door.
I'd go.

I am from Chicago and have been to many of the attractions not only as a kid, but several since moving to MI and coming back with kids of my own.

I am going to agree with one of the other posters, that if you want to stay away from the city traffic (as Legoland is not in downtown chicago like the Shedd is), I highly recommend Brookfield Zoo! (And like the Shedd, they have several options for ticket prices) It is my second favorite zoo that I've ever been to (and I've been to at least 15)

BUT - it depends on what YOUR child likes. My kids Love the zoo, but for some reason, they seemed kind of bored at the Shedd (we only did the admission that is 1 step above the basic).

If you do want to go into the city though, I highly recommend the Museum of Science & Industry. There are so many different exhibits - enough to occupy the kids ALL day!