amcneal

We are taking our 10 yr old granddaughter and two German exchange students into Chicago on Dec 26-28th. Can you suggest some events that we might take in during those days? Thanks for any help you can give!

jlm_mi

I know chicgal will come along at some point with a whole host of fabulous suggestions, but in the meantime, can you give more specifics?

Do any of these kids (or you) have particular interests that you'd like to be sure to include? Are you more interested in taking the holiday Chicago, or art, or shopping . . .

There's so much to do in Chicago that you'll only be able to select a few in such a short time, so any more info you can provide will help people make suggestions that will be right up your alley!

amcneal

Good question. I planned on getting some suggestions from all of you knowledgeable folks and then letting the girls - the exchange students decide. They have already told me they wish to see the Blue Man Group. We are open to anything really.

patg

I'd suggest a couple of new interpretations of classics - either "Nuts and Bolts," the Nutcracker story set to Duke Ellington music (Joel Hall Dancers at the Haris Theatre, north edge of Millennium Park) or "Black Nativity'" a gospel song-play at the Goodman (north end of the Loop.) Be sure to take your group to have their picture taken by the huge Chicago Theatre sign on State Street.

Museum of Science and Industry is a great suggestion for a mixed group like yours; just be prepared to split up and wander. Avoid the museum food; there is a nice Italian restaurant called Piccolo Mondo on 56th street, a short walk north of the museum, that is good for families. MSI really takes most of the day; go to the museum's website and pick out the exhibits you most want to see. The layout is something like an octopus; you'll spend a lot of time retracing your steps. If you have less than a whole day for museums, stick to the Field or the Art Institute.

For a day downtown, see the Art Institute and Millennium Park in the afternoon, and the theatre at night.

On North Michigan Avenue, send the exchange students to the Museum of Contemporary Art while you take your granddaughter to the American Girl store. Have lunch at the John Hancock's restaurant, the Signature Room on the 95th floor. Hit some of the post-Christmas sales.

If you go to an afternoon performance of Blue Man Group, you could walk or cab down to Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Zoolights Festival - animals, Christmas decorations, and ice-sculpting! It's free, which you'll appreciate after you see the prices on Blue Man Group. Frances' Deli, on Clark Street, is about halfway between BMG and the zoo. It is an old-time Chicago place with great milkshakes.

Good luck with your plans!

amcneal

Thanks for all the great ideas!