Hello,
We are heading to Chicago in April (surprise trip that my hubby won thru work). I have been to Chicago several times, but this will be my first with my son.
What are the top 5 things you all would recommend to do in downtown Chicago with a mom, dad, and 9 year old son. We will be staying at the Fairmont and we will NOT have a rental car.
Thanks,
R.
Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations. I think we will do the CityPass thing. Looks like a good deal. Yea!
Everything everyone else mentioned are good.
When I went with my friends several years ago, we got bus passes for $5 a day and then we got some sort of deal for the subway. I think its easier this way than to go by car.
Depends on the weather- it's always unpredictable. Could be 85 degrees in April or snowing. If it's nice out:
Cubs game if they're playing*
Navy Pier- take a boat tour
Lincoln Park Zoo
Millenium Park
Indoor Options:
Museum of Science & Industry
Shedd Aquarium
Sears Tower (now called Willis, but will always be Sears for those who grew up here!)
Public transportation is the way to go! If you plan to visit several of the museums, there is a pass you can buy to make it more reasonable to get in. Have Fun!
*Added: If you want to see the Cubs Schedule and/or get tickets, this is a great resource. I have bought tickets thru this site before: http://www.stubhub.com/chicago-cubs-schedule/?gcid=C12289...
Willis Tower and John Hancock Tower
Museum of Science and Industry
Field Museum
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier
Cubs or White Sox game, or Bulls, or Blackhawks
Chicago-style pizza restaurant
Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and take the water ferry from Navy Pier (which is just cool in itself) and it drops you off right across from the tower!
Shedd Aquarium
Natural History Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Eat @ Ed Debevic's is a must just for the atmosphere - get a taxi. It's right across from Planet Hollywood.
Science and Industry Museum
Shedds Aquarium
Natural History Museum
Navy Pier
??
Field Museum of Natural History. Fantastic for kids his age. Take a city bus there (easy ride) and not the subway (advice given to us when we did it, by a friend who lives in the city)
Adler Planetarium. Right next to the Field Museum so plan them for the same day. But be aware that the Field Museum can take a whole day itself!
Science and Industry Museum
Shedd Aquarium -- Haven't been but heard it's great
John Hancock Building for top-of-the-building city views. Chose that over the Willis (Sears) Tower also on friends' advice because the Hancock is right next to the lake so you get better views than from the Willis, which is way off in the business district -- nothing else to do around the Willis, whereas the Hancock is not far from other attractions.
The Navy Pier is fun but the children's museum there may be too "young" for a nine-year-old.
Museum of Science and Industry would be my first stop. It is an all day
trip. You can take a bus there. It is about a 15-20 minute ride. One of my
favorite places in Chicago. Does not matter how many times you go, there
is always something new to see. Everything else that everyone has suggested is all the other things I would also suggest. Have fun. The
Architectural Boat Tour is also excellent.
