Any tips for taking a trip with kids to Chicago?

[Point Beer Is Best]

We're taking our boys (ages 4 & 5) to Chicago in a couple of weeks (looking to stay over on a Monday night). The rough outline of our itinerary is to check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and then hit up the Lego Discoveryland in Schaumburg on the way home.

 

Where would be the most convenient place to stay in relation to the Shedd/Field Museum? What's the best way to get around? Driving our car, or using public transportation?

 

Thanks for any input.

[Patrick425]

If you have not already done so, I would recommend looking into this:

 

http://www.citypass.com/chicago

 

We used this a couple of years ago when we went down there and took our teenage son and his friend (so ages a bit different than what you are talking about) and we only went for one day but packed a lot into the day. Started out with the Willis Tower, took the L to the Shed Aquarium (decided to do this instead of the Field Museum because we figured it would take less time...but I would have preferred the Field museum if we had more time.). Then took a ferry over to Navy Pier, ate lunch there, then took a river cruise that highlighted the Chicago architecture. If you go to the Willis tower (which I recomend), get there before the skydeck opens and try to be ones of the first in line (we took the first train down there). You will beat most of the crowd and easier access to the "glass ledge".

 

Now, given it's March, the ferry/river cruise options are not going to be an option (and I'm not sure if a 4/5 year old would be interested in Chicago architecture anyways.), but the ferry was awesome as we got great views and pictures of the Chicago skyline (if you ever decide to go during warmer weather).

[rwa12]

Take public transportation. Parking will be a fortune. Staying downtown will keep you close to the museum campus. The science and industry museum, and the children's museum at Navy Pier both have hands on kid stuff. The Mystic Blue cruise at Navy Pier is cool if you want to take a boat ride. Enjoy!

[Outlander]

I would probably pass on Lego, huge disappointment. Stick with the great museums downtown, Field, Shedd and Science have plenty for kids.

[CheezWizHed]

[sarcasm]DON'T DO IT![/sarcasm]

 

Depending on your kid's interests, the Museum of Science and Industry is a very hands-on place. I found the Planetarium to be a little dull.

[Point Beer Is Best]

I would probably pass on Lego, huge disappointment. Stick with the great museums downtown, Field, Shedd and Science have plenty for kids.

 

What did you find disappointing about it? Are we better off taking them to a "Lego Store" in Chicago than to spend admission $$ at Lego DiscoveryLand in Schaumburg? I'd rather spend the $$ on buying a cool Star Wars Lego set than on admission for the 4 of us to something lame.

[FVBrewerFan]

Observation deck on top of the Sears Tower would be really cool for their age. (Yes, it will always be the SEARS tower to me.)

[Outlander]

I just don't think the value is there for the money a Lego. The thing I liked the most was the Legos of the city of Chicago and probably the 10 minute 4D movies. The things I didn't like was the cost, crowded, not a lot to do, factory tour was not a tour at all and just one room, the one laser ride wasn't working properly/old, no in/out allowed so stuck eating their overpriced and not so good food. The kids did like the Pirate play area but my kids like any playground, just wish there was more interactive stuff.

[Patrick425]

It actually might have been this card that we used when we went (I can't remember for sure, but this seems to be the one):

 

http://www.smartdestinations.com/chicago-attractions-and-tours/_d_Chi-p1.html?pass=Chi_Prod_Go

[homer]

We're taking our boys (ages 4 & 5) to Chicago in a couple of weeks (looking to stay over on a Monday night). The rough outline of our itinerary is to check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and then hit up the Lego Discoveryland in Schaumburg on the way home.

 

Where would be the most convenient place to stay in relation to the Shedd/Field Museum? What's the best way to get around? Driving our car, or using public transportation?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

 

Shedd and Field are both near south loop so if you can find a hotel in that area you'll be golden. If it's nice out you could potentially walk to the museums but maybe not with kids that little.

 

There isn't really a train that goes near the museum campus or LP zoo so you'd have to take a bus. They will more or less drop you off right at the front door of each place (more or less). Uber/cab is convenient too if you don't want to meet all the interesting people that mass transit provides for free.

 

The Chicago Transit system is tied into Google maps so if you just go there and put in your starting point and destination it will tell you how best to get there (i.e. which stop to get on/off and what time the bus arrives)

[JackNicholson1974]

If you are going to go up a tall building always pick the Hancock building over sears tower. Shorter lines and better views.

[homer]

If you are going to go up a tall building always pick the Hancock building over sears tower. Shorter lines and better views.

 

 

Although the Sears now has the "The Ledge"

 

http://www.slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/curiosities/images/searst3.jpg

[Bikeage77]

The Hancock building has a feature where you lean up against the windows and then it tilts out so yer facing down. My wife, who is extremely afraid of heights, almost lost it when we did that. Everyone in the room was getting a kick out of her fear. She was in good spirits after.

 

Have you thought about places to eat yet? Geno's East is fun for kids because you can write on the walls, and the deep dish pizza is pretty good too.

 

As far as transportation goes, I would determine if parking is available wherever hotel you are staying at and either take the train or Uber around. Parking on the street is generally hard to find, and to pay for lots will add up quick.

[fondybrewfan]

The Shedd aquarium was a pretty big disappointment for us. For as much as that place is hyped it was kind of a let down; my kids were bored. Plus it was a pain in the butt to get too.

 

Kids absolutely loved the Brookfield Zoo though; awesome.

[Patrick425]

The Shedd aquarium was a pretty big disappointment for us.

 

 

Same here.

[homer]

The Shedd aquarium was a pretty big disappointment for us. For as much as that place is hyped it was kind of a let down; my kids were bored. Plus it was a pain in the butt to get too.

 

Kids absolutely loved the Brookfield Zoo though; awesome.

 

Speaking of Brookfield Zoo....I work near there so if you do go and need any rec's for before/after hit me up.

[NeedMoreFans]

We are considering going down and spending one night to take my two young kids to the Shedd Aquarium. I know a few people said they were disappointed in it, but my kids are 5 and 2, and my 2 year old absolutely loves fish. We'd probably do a few other things down there as well, but that is the top of the list. We'd likely stay out in the suburbs (either Rosemont or Schaumburg) unless prices are comparable once parking is factored in.

 

My question...would it be better to go during the week and deal with traffic but smaller crowds, or go on a weekend where there is less traffic but likely bigger crowds? I'm guessing crowds will be big no matter what, but I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect.

[homer]

Would you consider taking the train? If you are in Rosemont you can take the Blue Line all the way downtown. Takes about 40 min. You can either transfer to a bus or walk from the Blue Line to Shedd. Strollers on the train are fine if you have one for the two year old.

 

Traffic is bad on weekends too....seriously I think some of the worst traffic in Chicago is late afternoon on a weekend.

[1992casey]

Yeah, figure that if you're on the expressways/tollways, there'll be long backups going into the Jane Byrne Interchange (Circle Interchange). That would be all day, seven days a week. It's best to avoid the Circle Interchange backup completely by using surface streets.

 

Going to and from Rosemont/Schaumburg, you'll also likely encounter stop and go traffic on the section of the Kennedy between O'Hare and the Edens Junction. That stretch is ancient and only three lanes in each direction, but if you have to use it, it's more or less survivable.

 

I recall going to a Saturday wedding at the University of Chicago a few years ago. The majority of the guests missed the ceremony due to traffic backups. We made it because I hopped off of the Kennedy early on and cut over to Lake Shore Drive.

 

If you do drive downtown, based on parking rates, you'll want to park once and only once. You're likely to be hit up for $25–35 for the first three hours, with rates decreasing as you're parked longer.