I'll be going to Chicago early Summer with 2 17 yr old boys. Any recommendations on things to do? Best theme park in area? We already have tickets for two Cubs games. We will be in town about 5 days.

Thanks

The "best" themepark is Great America in Gurnee about 45 minutes north of Chicago. They also just opened a water park that is attached to Great America.

The boys might like the speedboat tour of Lake Michigan that leaves from Navy Pier and the ferris wheel on Navy Pier gives awesome views of the city.

Definitely get some deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's or Uno's.

There are also all kinds of free concerts at various places (have them go to metromix.com) and there are free movies in Grant Park on Tuesday nights that are fun.

Finally, you can watch beach volleyball (lots of courts, lots go girls) and soak up the scene at North Avenue Beach and have lunch or dinner on the roof of the boathouse there.

That should read "lots of girls".

Also try to find a neighborhood street fair - they're every weekend - lots of local bands and fun street vendors and food.

If you're here for Taste of Chicago it can be yummy. Go during the week!

I saw your post earlier today but wanted to wait until I could talk to my 16 year old (17 in August) son before I responded. He and his dad went to the Cubs game this afternoon.

As I suspected, he recommended Millenium Park. He and his sister (20 years old) always enjoy going there. He also suggested the Field Museum and said that the Museum of Science and Industry "has some really cool stuff". I was somewhat surprised that he also suggested Lincoln Park Zoo. Thought he might feel he was too old for the zoo!

Hope these suggestions help.

A few suggestions:
- Science Museum. Don't miss it.
- Millenium Park, and the restaurant there is decent and pretty cheap.
- Field Museum. I haven't seen it, but I've heard the King Tut exhibit is good.
- Shedd Aquarium and Planetarium (they're part of the museum campus, with the Field).
- Sears Tower or Hancock building observation deck. Hancock obviously isn't as tall, but many say the view is better.
- The architectural/speedboat tour from Navy Pier. You're on a speedboat. It's a slow ride along the Chicago river, where they point out the architecture. Then, you go back out on the lake and they floor it, which I'm sure the kids would like.

And for pizza: Go to Giordano's. There's one on Belmont, not far from Wrigley. There are numerous sports bars right by the park (Goose Island is good) and there are many good restaurants a short walk or bus/train ride away in Lakeview and Lincoln Park (like Mia Francesa on Clark).