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Things to do in Chicago?
Newton
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
We're heading out to Michigan for a wedding in August and are thinking of stopping in Chicago for 2-3 days before hand. I don't really know much about the city so we're looking for ideas on what to do. We're going to be there in the middle of the week and will have two young kids with us under the age of 6. Any ideas on what we shouldn't miss out on or suggestions on where to stay? Thanks in advance.
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Ed DeBevic's is a fun place to stop for lunch or dinner.
I definitely want to get some deep dish pizza and a hot dog while we're there. Where are the best places to go for them? I don't know what area we're staying in yet, so I don't have a specific region to limit it to.
How's public transportation? I know they have the El and I'm sure there are buses. Is it pretty easy to get around without renting a car?
As for pizza, the standards are either Uno, Malnati's, or Giordano's. All 3 have locations down town, and all 3 claim to be the "original" deep dish.
You will learn why it is called a pizza pie; it's so thick you actually need to use a knife and fork. It is mouth-watering delicious.
Lincoln Zoo is really good. The building are ancient ans almost as interesting as the animals. There's a nice and large greenhouse next to it too, worth taking a look.
Any of those top picks mentioned you can't go wrong. Gino's is a little touristy, Maggiano's is good.
Within the city, travel is easy - there's a freakin app for that! Outside the city, you're pretty close to SOL. Rosemont is the easiest choice as it has an eL line, but it's run by a gangster so the rates are city-high. With kids, I'd probably stay in the the city; along the river is nice and convenient, obviously just more expensive than farther out.
Metromix of course can give you some ideas on events for your trip.
He died.
No one in Chicago calls it that.
Millenium Park is pretty centrally located (and free) and has some interesting outdoor art displays. Kids seem to enjoy the Cloud Gate there quite a bit (it's basically a big bulbous shape that's pretty reflective...like a torus covered in mirrors). You may also find just walking downtown pretty enjoyable if you like skyscrapers.
Oh my god, the smell those machines make transports me directly to my childhood. I came across one a couple years ago and couldn't believe the sense memory I had.
Kids might be kid of young for it but you might check and see if you can catch a cubs game while you're there.
The wife and I spent 3 days in Chicago last September a nd had a blast.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure they don't have the machines that make the little statues anymore.
I was at the museums a little over a year ago and they didn't have them there anymore and then my friend took his lady to the zoo this past summer, with the intent of picking up a bunch of those little statues, and he said they didn't have them there anymore either. Its a damn shame.
Everything I'm finding on Google indicates they're still present at both the Brookfield Zoo and The Field Museum (as well as some at the Lincoln Park Zoo and The Museum of Science and Industry).
Here's a list of all current locations of the mold-a-rama machines updated fall of last year, and with comments indicating they were still present at least at Brookfield in December: http://www.moldamania.com/current-locations, and if you check the Brookfield Zoo map (http://www.czs.org/CZS/Brookfield/Zoo-Map ) it has the exact locations marked on there.
For OP, I'd definitely second (or third or whatever) the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Museum of Science and Industry. The last is out of the way if you're downtown, but you can get there pretty easily by bus. If you only have time to go to one place, go Field and Shedd since they're adjacent. The Brookfield Zoo is nice, but it's a good bit outside the city, and public transit would likely not be an option (a metra line runs out past it, but I don't know if it stops close enough to walk to the zoo).
You'll be glad to know Brookfield definitely has the wax machines; I was there in February. They're kind of hidden away, but they're there.
I think the OP was looking at Lincoln as it's in the city, but Brookfield is better, just $ and have to find a way there.
For those who don't know what the hell we're talking about, a Mold-A-Rama:
That's good to hear, though it does look they have a whole lot less than they did when I was 7.
The Newberry Library is actually not related to the Newbery Medal that is awarded to excellent children's literature, and after having spent a whole semester there, I can say that while it is quite awesome, it'd probably be pretty boring for a 6 year-old.
If you're going down by the Navy Pier area, there is also the Chidren's Museum:
http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
I preferred Giordanos for pizza. Demon Dogs for hot dogs, but I hear they closed down. Portillo's is good too, there you can get more than dogs (namely, Italian beef, or my preference, the beef / sausage combo). If you're feeling adventurous you can trek south and get a Maxwell Street Polish. (it might be the suburbanite in me, or the fact I never went earlier than midnight, but I remember that place being sketch). If you enjoy Mediterranean food at all you MUST visit Pita Inn up by Skokie (north suburb right at the edge of the city). Seriously, I miss this place so much I dream about it. The best babaghanoush I've ever had.
The L is great to navigate, and Chicago is easy to decipher street wise. Pick up a few 3 day passes and go wild!
Don't think it's a Chicago-exclusive, but WhirlyBall is a blast, for adults and kids.
Second City
iO
TMLMTGBG (highly fucking highly recommend this show, I've suggested it to other forumers before and they all say "fuck yes that was awesome")
Field Museum, the Bean, Chicago Photo Cultural Center (check out the Tiffany dome. Trust me), Navy Pier, Ed Debevic's, Brookfield Zoo, Hot Doug's. (Do eeet.)
Parents Night Out:
Neo-futurists' show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Second City, whatever other theater shows happen to be in town. And of course plenty of fun, but mature bars.
Most importantly, ASK! People in the city are cool as fuck and if you get lost or want to know what to see while in town, strike up a conversation at a cross walk.
I highly recommend the area just north of the river for choice of bars. I'm not even going to recommend one because there are too many, and they are all very close to eachother.
If you are looking for good pizza, I would stop at Gino's East. Their flagship location is just off of Michigan Avenue (on the Magnificent Mile), on Superior St. Best deep-dish in the city IMHO, and you can write all over everything in the restaurant (great for the kids). The shopping in that area can't be beat either. It's a great place to spend an afternoon. Another place I like to eat is called Miller Pub, and is on Wabash in the downtown area, near Michagan Avenue as well, under the train tracks. Great food at good prices. Lots of history in that place.
Navy Pier is also a great place for families to go. Lots of places to eat, things to do, and there is a huge Ferris Wheel they'll love. They do a decent amount of boat tours too.
Honestly, though, just take a walk through the Loop, and check out some of the building and architecture. I walk there every day to work, and I still see things almost daily that I never noticed before. There are new building going up everywhere. Take a ride on the L (elevated train) and just ride it around the downtown area. It's a fun experience in itself.
Okay I'll stop. Hope you have fun!
Ed Debevics! i totally forgot about that place, what an experience.
If they want to be depressed, they can stay in Seattle.