Hello all,

we live in Indpls and are planning a fall trip...considering Chicago or St Louis

we have 4 kids, ages 9,7,3,1

looking for ideas as to which place might be a better family get away...leaning toward Chicago

thanks!

Not even close. Go to Chicago.

St. Louis. More to see and do.

My vote goes to St. Louis. Be sure to see the Zoo, a sport game, the waterfront, Forest Park, Ted Drews Ice Cream, for a start.

I would also have to go with St. Louis.

I've been to both St. Louis and Chicago and while I've found St. Louis to be charming, I would definitely go with Chicago. Larger city, more shopping, culture, dining, museums, wonderful history, architecture, major sports events, etc.

St. Louis! Hands down! My reasons are the same reasons Harold listed but I would list them with St. Louis and not Chicago. Chicago is dirty, people are not as friendly, and it lacks culture.

Chicago. Once you get past the Arch St. Louis can't hold a candle to Chicago. Chicago has two zoos (one in the city in Lincoln Park and a bigger one in Brookfield which is about 25 minutes from downtown. Chicago has the Sears Tower and Hancock with observation decks.Chicago has the Museum of Science and Industry 10 munutes south of downtown, the Museum of Natural History (with stuffed animals and dino bones) an aquarium both close to downtown; Navy Pier with an outdoor ferris wheel and indoor stores and children's museum; there are boat rides on the lake and on the Chicgao River; plenty of shopping on Michigan ave.; Art Institute; great hot dogs and pizza;. Plenty to do and see and it is safe (generally).

St. Louis!
The Arch
Best town for sports
The Zoo
Grants Farm
The Butterfly House
The City Musuem
The Art Musuem
The Magic House
The Science Center
Numerous places for shopping
Forest Park
Missouri Botanical Garden's
Ted Drews Frozen Custard
The Hill for great Italian

Another vote for St. Louis - all the reasons above, plus it is easier to drive/park in St. Louis.

Can't beleive all these people picked St. Louis over Chicago?? Since when is Chicago dirty and lacking culture?

St. Louis

San Jose. More history, nightlife, higher real estate prices and air you can see.

I live in St. Louis. It's not all it's cracked up to be. Go to Chicago.

I've been to Chicago nine times and Saint Louis five times; and I pick Chicago easily.

I grew up in St. Louis and visited Chicago often. They have better public transportion and maybe better pizza but St. Louis is better on every other account.

I can only figure that someone who lives in St. Louis is going wild here posting. I live in Kentucky and have been to both several times. I don't even think it is close. How someone considers Chicago dirty is beyond me. I have found it to be one of the cleanest big cities that I have visited. There are tons of things to do for all ages in Chicago. I think of Chicago more in a league with New York, San Francisco, Seattle or Atlanta, whereas I put St. Louis more in a category with Indianapolis, Cincinatti, or Nashville (all nice cities, just not in the same league).

I would have to give my vote to St. Louis too. It is a much more diverse city. It offers much more to do compared to Chicago (JMHO) but either would be a nice choice. Be sure to also check out the Imax theater at the Science Center.

Chicago, hands down, for me. Of course, two of our favorite things to do while we are traveling are fine dining (we live in a little college town with basically Applebee wannabes and innumerable steakhouses... yuck!) and peruse used bookstores. I doubt kids would be interested in either. There are tons of great museums in Chicago including the Natural Museum and one on science and industry which is really kid friendly. The lakeside is fun, too, along the beach and at the Navy Pier. And what kid doesn't appreciate pizza??!

St. Louis is wonderful for kids. There is so much to see and do. Plus all of the places that are only a couple hours away like Meremac Cabins and Hannibal.