Hello,
We have 3 girls ages 8,5, and 3 and are heading to Chicago in mid-July, and are staying at a relatives in Lincoln Park section. My question is what to do with the kids besides the zoo, aquarium, American girls place, Navy pier and field museum? Also, any particularly fun restaurants? I've read here that Comedy Sports is good for kids. Is that true?
Thanks in advance.
Ken

Our 8 year old daughter enjoyed Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle at the Museum of Science and Industry. Take a look at their Web site to see if that would be something they would be interested in. We thought that some of the exhibits at the Museum were good while the others were just OK.
She spent 4 hours doing the tea and show at American Girl Place with my wife, while I enjoyed a jazz group playing in front of the John Hancock Building. Have fun.

Hi Ken, You are going to one of my favorite cities. Rest assured, there will be PLENTY of things for your girls to enjoy and they will have a great time. Here are some of my favorites; John Hancock Tower.. go at dusk, that way you can see it at day and night. The view is unbelievable! Make sure and take them on a carriage ride. They will love it. For a fun family restaurant go to Ed Debevics. Good food and a fun wait staff that will get up on the bar and dance and sing. The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier is not to be missed. Of course, everthing you have listed will be just great too. Just a couple of my favorite things to do. My list goes on and on and on........Enjoy your time with your family! It's the BEST!!!!!!!!

What about a Cubs game? If they are old enough to sit still for that long, a game at Wrigley Field is always a Chicago favorite.

Other kid-friendly restaurants include: Cheesecake Factory in the Hancock Building (Disney-esque decor and more adult-friendly than most of the themed restaurants). Speaking of themed restaurants, I'll second the vote for Ed Debevics - I'm a 28 year old professional who sometimes sneaks over there to forget I'm in the middle of a business day - and will add Rain Forest Cafe and the Rock and Roll McDonalds, all in River North.

Not sure I'd do Improv with your kids unless there is something that is reported to be kid-friendly. The humor can be adult and you might not be so comfortable with it. I think there is one of those 3-D experience theatres (forget what its called - Omnimax?) down at Navy Pier, might be a better bet.

My sister and I also used to love coming to Chicago for the museum of Science and Industry, so keep that on the list. ANd leave plenty of time to meander down Michigan Avenue. Have fun - Chicago is wonderful in the summer!

There is also an Imax or Omnimax theatre at the Museum of Science and Industry (in addition to the one at Navy Pier). A few of the exhibits at that museum might be fun for your girls to see. Also worth checking out is the Bicycle Museum at Navy Pier. It's inexpensive, a quick walk through and for many of us, an interesting glimpse of what we considered to be really cool at their age (there are bikes representative of every era from the late 1800's to present). I also suggest lunch in the restaurant on Hancock Tower's 85th or 86th floor. It's a buffet at about $11-13 each (not sure on cheaper price for the youngest children). It is upscale but not snooty - the food is excellent and the view absolutely superb. I took my daughter to lunch there when she was 13 and it was the highlight of our trip.

I would check with American Girl Place before I left, I think they have an age limit of 8 and above to attend any of their shows.

The new Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is just north of Lincoln Park Zoo, and has great exhibits for that age group, including a butterfly house. Rich Melman's original restaurant, R.J. Grunt's, is near the zoo's front gate, as is a really nice playground.

If you don't want to traipse down to the Museum of Science and Industry, which is an all-day trip to Hyde Park, visit the Thorne miniature rooms at the Art Institute, downtown at Michigan and Adams. They also have the Kraft children's art center for 12 and under. All museums have a free day - the Art Institute is Tuesday, I believe. You can easily pop in and out. Most kids also enjoy the impressionist paintings in the general collection. I would not take young kids to the special exhibits, as the crowds and waiting are real negatives.

California Pizza Kitchen and Water Tower Place's food court are favorites of my kids. While the view is top notch at the Signature Room (95th floor of Hancock) the buffet is not, but they do have a kid's menu. Go at an off hour to get a better table. Also, I believe the bicycle museum, mentioned by another poster, has closed.

Disney Quest is also downtown. I would second Rain Forest Cafe as being a good restaurant. Food Life in the Water Tower is another good choice. Basically it's a food court with lots of choices. The difference is they give you a card to swipe when ordering and then you pay upon leaving the area. Makes it a little more convenient when each family member wants something different. You don't have to pass out money, everyone gets their own card. Go to www.metromix.com to see what attractions/ festivals etc will be in town during your stay. Basically it's a good guide to everything Chicago. Enjoy.