We (family of five) are planning a long weekend in Chicago the last weekend in March. My kids are off school due to Easter the previous weekend.

Do you think, at that time of year, that places will be any less crowded during the week? We're trying to decide if it is worth it to go earlier in the week. We would like to go to the aquarium and Navy Pier.

Also, we've been to Chicago several times and have seen most of the obvious places. Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do. We'll have three kids, 14, 10, and 5. Any good kid-friendly restaurants downtown?

Thanks

Rainforest cafe, Hard rock cafe, both close to each other in the near north district where Ohio/Grand/Ontario and Dearborn/State streets are. Drive north on Lakeshore drive and just north of Lincoln Park is a road called Devon that runs east/west, drive west on Devon for a trip around the world. With each new block or two you feel like you travel to the mid-east, to India, Russia, etc with all the different stores and shops. Have a good trip!

For restaurants, you can also try the ESPN Zone on Ohio at Wabash or Ed Debevic's at Wells and Ontario.

However, I'm not sure what you mean when you say you've seen the "obvious places" but you haven't seen Navy Pier.

There are several activities in Lincoln Park and all are accessible via public transit. The zoo is free and open daily. The Notebaert nature Museum has a free-flight butterfly gallery and treehouse that are always popular.

At the Chicago History Museum, your kids can climb aboard an 1890's L car or sit in seats from the original Comiksey Park.

For a free "wow" moment, stop in the Elks Memorial on Diversey and Sheridan at the north end of the park. Not a whole lot to see, but a good place to spend a few minutes.

Although the Bridgehouse Museum won't be open until May, you may catch the bridges opening while you're here. In the spring, boats that are stored for the winter make their way to the marinas in the lake. There's usually a flotilla of several boats and you can watch themmake their way up the river to the locks. Check the Chicago Department of Transportation site for the spring scheule of bridge lifts.

It will be a good time to come to Chicago with kids.

So is January for deals. And you can do TONS of indoor stuff.

The kids would like the mid-price range and nice (white table cloth) restaurant at the Shedd Aquarium called Soundings. It has great views and our little boys (3 and 5 at the time) just adored it. They gave them special treats too!

By the way, the date Jan. 12-18 the Shedd has free admission, and some of the shows are priced free or $10 each too.

Navy Pier in March is fine, but it will not be as good as a trip to the Museum of Sc. & Industry would. It's a ride on the el or bus, but much, much worth it.

They have TONS interactive, and new CSI features that are awesome. It's always a kid favorite.

With your kids' ages, I just thought of another.

Harold Washington Library downtown, quite a close walk from Millenium Park, is INTERESTING for kids.

This is not crowded and not that advertised and there are interactive events and equipment there too, besides the beauty of all that marble. As you go up each floor the marble deepens, changes color and the atrium on the top is awesome.

The old library is now the Cultural Center and good for a quick drop in too (on Washington St. I think) and info you need is always available there. Many times you will also run into live entertainment, which the kids will love.

When I have kids, they love to eat in Water Tower Court or in the close ground surrounds. The Court is FAR more than a food court. Do not think mall food court. The structure is somewhat the same, but the food is better and different. Also, it is great for quickness or when everyone wants something different.

You should also do a Chicago specialty pizza. Uno or Due's (Ontario, I think) is never a mistake.

I think the Water Tower food court JJ5 is referring to is called Foodlife and is an excellent suggestion for a wide age range, they give each person a "credit card" when you walk in, you pick up your food from one of a dozen or more stations and pay when you leave.

Lines at the Shedd will be shorter on weekdays even in March but if you go earlier in the morning even on the weekends it shouldn't be too bad.

My nieces and nephews love RainForest Cafe, the food while not stellar, is at least edible. Some other family friendly options include Portillo's (hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers), Boston Blackie's (burgers), any place that serves pizza.

If you're kids are a bit more adventurous eaters you might consider taking them down to Chinatown, it's only about 10-15 minutes via el. Or Greektown, Greek Islands is one of my niece (14) and nephew's (12) favorite places to eat. If you want to try Chinese/Thai closer to downtown, you might give Big Bowl a try, they have a kids menu and are family friendly.