Any ideas for short excursions in Chicago? Kids are 12 & 14. We are considering the Museum of Science and Industry or the aquarium. Have been to the Sears Tower already. What's to do at Navy Pier? Is it just shopping and dining.

No particular order:

John Hancock tower (better than Sears)
Navy Pier: go on the huge ferris wheel
Science M. or Shed Aquarium(both great)
Maybe take in a Cubs or White Sox game
The Field Museum is also very cool

You can go to the bar at the top of the Handcock and have a drink for about the same price as the observation deck. The view is the same. Also, Navy pier has a great stained glass museum (free) at the far end of the pier. Kids will have fun at the pier. You can also take a lake cruise from there. Your kids would like the Museum of Science and Industry too. Buy a visitors pass for bus/subway travel. It's the best way to get around town and you don't have to bother with correct change. For the adults, don't miss the Art Institute. It's world class art. Take the free tour of Millenium park at the visitor's center. Visit the tourist center at the corner of Randolph and Michigan Ave. (Old Library bldg) Get more ideas as to what to do and see. The riverboat architectural tour is very interesting. Chicago has a website about what's happening while you are there. There's always something interesting to see. Great city. Enjoy

Go see '500 Clown Frankenstein' or '500 Clown Macbeth' at the Steppenwolf Theater. Really fun - and they're there until 8/12/07. Have fun in Chicago!

How about Putnam County Spelling Bee? It sounds like kids were enjoy seeing it.

Picnic in Millenium Park...walk under the bean, play in the fountain, cross the Gehry Bridge. Rent bikes or bring rollerblades and enjoy the path by the lake. Architectural Boat Tour is really good but maybe a bit old for your kids. Do as much outside as possible. Chicago summers are wonderful.

taitai

WE just went to Chicago for the weekend and had a very nice time. There's a CSI special exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry that our son loved! You get clues and try to help 'solve' the crime. Crime #3 is the tamest. In October, a Star Wars special exhibit is coming.

We stayed at the Hilton at Grant Park - got a room with a limited, but beautiful view of the park/Shedd, etc. We had pizza near the hotel at Edwardo's that was excellent! They did a half stuffed spinach and half stuffed pepperoni that we all loved. The garlic bread and salads were very good as well. There's no special ambiance - think a regular pizzeria, but the food was very good. We were pleasantly surprised.

Definitely the Museum of Science & Industry. Even jaded teens will love it (may not show it, but...). Also, you all might enjoy one of Chicago's ghost tours.

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A couple of years ago, we took the Sea Dog tour out of Navy Pier. It's a sightseeing cruise - but on a speed boat. It was fast and fun. I think it would be perfect for your kids.

http://www.seadogcruises.com/Chicago...atLakeTour.cfm

You can walk around the outside of Navy Pier and look at the lake. It has sort of a carnival atmosphere with junk food and the like.

At one time, Navy Pier also had the children's museum and an IMAX theater. Someone who has been there more recently might know if they are still there.

It didn't seem to me that there was all that much shopping and dining there.

Debbie

Another idea would be to do a segway tour. I have not done one, but would love to do it. I googled it and the tour that I found has a minimum age of 12. It would be kind of expensive for a group, but may be well worth it for the experience.

Debbie

Navy Pier still has the IMAX and childrens museum. Your kids are too old for the childrens museum - its for little kids. There is shopping and dining but its not great - its touristy shopping for the most part. I would not eat there either - too many other places in Chicago.

But - At Navy Pier - Sea Dog is a great suggestion - they are the perfect age. The Seadog is like a huge "cigarette" boat that zooms around the harbor. You might get wet too. There is also a ferris wheel - sort of slow - but you get a great view.

Museum of Science and Industry also has a OMNIMAX theater which is cooler than IMAX - I would recommend that over IMAX depending on what show they have. Field museum is cool but I think Science and Industry is more fun.

I love Lincoln Park Zoo - and its free.

I second Pumpy's advice. My first visit to MSI was in third grade and I've been several times since then. Each time it has been awesome. Also Traveler2005's suggestion is a good one, only I would say the architectural tour may be a winner if your kids are into history at all. Never been on the cruise but have had lots of folks rave about it and as a native I know there's some fascinating architecture in Chicago and stories to go with it. Just a thought. Have a fabulous time.

Hi! I am 12 yeras old and am posting from my mom's screen name. Go the the Shedd Aquarium, it's my favorite! Me and my sister, 14, also enjoy the Art Institute and the Museum of Science and Industry. Navy Pier is good for a little while, but there is only a few, expensive rides, and it is baisically just shopping and dining, unless you are going on one of those cruises.

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