We're bringing 5 kids (ages 8-11) to Chicago Jan 1+2 and I need some advice- The kids live in the Louisville projects and have never been to a "big city"-- We're staying one night at Holiday Inn near Merchandise Mart-- Questions: Has anyone been to the wineter festival at Navy Pier? Any tips on seeing Museum of Science+Industry on Sunday? Any suggestions for restaurants in the Loop the kids would like? Any other "cold weather" suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I just searched "Chicago" and saw some wonderful itinerary suggestions from "Chicgal"-- My group is 4 girls and one boy and they like rap, hip-hop, etc-- Can take them wimndow-shopping on Michigan Ave, but this is NOT a shopping trip!
Thanks again for your advice!
Susan

Sure you can window shop on Mich. Ave. -- you won't be alone. The Museum of Science and Industry is fine on Sunday. They have a new exhibit opening with human bodies plasticized and skinned-sounds gross to me but kids that age may love it. There is also a skating rink at Millenium Park if it's not too freezing. Ed Debevics, a 50s style diner, would be good-it's on Ohio or pretty much any pizza joint is going to be very kid friendly, Lou Malnatis, Pizzeria Uno or Due, Ginos East. All are relatively close to your hotel.

You might also want to try Navy Pier. They have plenty of things to do for a variety of age groups; the Shedd Aquarium would also be fun. Second the idea of Ed Debevics but you might also want to take a look at Hard Rock and Rain Forest - chains but definitely kid friendly. If you get to Water Tower Place, DP Kaplan's deli is fun. Get them to the top of the Hancock or Sears Tower for a great view of the city. It will be fun - just brave the cold and have a blast.

Thank you ALL for your invaluable advice! I must confess that I was born and raised in Evanston (ETHS CLass of 69!); but have lived in Louisville the past 30+ years, so now I'm a tourist!
I can't wait to see the kids' faces when they first see the Chicago skyline! I walked thru Millennium Park in October (while in town for business) and, looking up, recalled when the Prudential Tower was the tallest building! It's a great city!!
Thank you again.
Susan

Amtrack's not a bad idea...We're planning to rent a van and borrow a friend's DVD player to keep the kids occupied for the 5+ hr drive!
Thanks again for your help!

Hi Susan,
Check out the website for the Adler planetarium also. They have some great films there. A few years ago I took my kids to the first interactive digital movie theater where we saw "Mission to Mar," I think it was called. It's shown above on the dome screen, and you have hand controls and buttons to press, so the audience actually votes at points in the movie and directs the space ship on a crazy ride, like a video game. The website would probably tell you when the movies are showing. The planetarium is near the aquarium, as you probably know already.

Also, if you can somehow find out the exact time, you could walk though the new underpass under Lake Shore Drive at the Museum of Science and Industry, on January 1, and watch the Polar Bear Club plunge into L. Michigan. They go into the water at the Point, which is a short walk to the north along the lake. Now that would give the kids a shock! Brrr!

Thanks, Orcas, for 2 more great ideas! I'm going to check now about Mission to Mars-- We may have to stay an extra day!

Susan, Check this out:
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/visi...es/shows.shtml
These are stellar shows, so to speak. The Egypt one would be nice in combo with the Egypt exhibit at the Field Museum. That is a very interactive exhibit, where you get to go into a pyramid. You learn about daily life in Egypt, too, and kids always love seeing the real mummies. Great education. Great fun.
There is a great Sue the Dinosaur exhibit at the Field Museum, also, and the journey through time, where you get a sense for evolution.
Between the Field Museum, Planetarium and Aquarium, you could easily spend a day, and they are all together.
I am partial to the Northwest exhibit at the aquarium, of course, where you can see a dolphin show and the beluga whales. Amazon rising is a new exhibit there that is wonderful. It's great to watch the big fish being fed in the giant tank, too.
Wow! Too much to do!

PS. Hahaha. When I say Amazon Rising is a new exhibit, I am showing my age! I consider anything new if its less than 10 years old, I guess. We were in Chicago when Amazon Rising had it's debut, and also for Sue. Heck! I was there when the Sears Tower was built, and what was then called the Standard Oil Building. I have photos of the Hancock building under construction. I remember when the Museum of Science and Industry was free! Wow! I'd better shut up!

Glad to see you are bringing a van - I was wondering how you were going to get that group around town. A van can be a problem in some parking garages (be sure to find out the HEIGHT of the van you'll be borrowing); since you'll be in the city on a pretty quiet weekend, some street parking may turn up - look on LaSalle Street or Lake Street when in the Loop.

With the van parking situation, you should plan your days with the idea of moving your car as few times as possible. Navy Pier is about a mile from Michigan Avenue, but that distance will be too far to walk with a group of young kids in the January cold. The walk to State Street from the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart is also pretty far in bad weather. Consider a hotel in a better location; the Mart area isn't near tourist attractions, and most of the shops and restaurants in that area will be closed on January 1-2.

Thanks again, Chicgal, Orcas and Patg for all the valuable advice! I changed to the Hol Inn on Ohio St instead of Merch Mart--Thx for that caveat!
I have cut+pasted everyone's recommendations onto my "master plan" which will be the most helpful item I pack!
Thank you again and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Susan
PS: I, too, remember when they built the Sears Tower! I'm going to take the kids to the Hancock since it's closer there and they'll never know the difference!

Wear wind-protecting coats; long, if possible. And if you are doing any walking outside at all, be aware that jackets/short coats won't do the trick. Kids wear those short things and ever time we go- we are fine but the older kids who are more stylish seem to be freezing sooner rather than later.
I'm talking 3 or 4 block walks will seem like "long" blocks. Listen to Chicgal's plan for walking inside. Near the River we found an underground between Swissotel going to beyond Hyatt's.

Christmas Eve forecast is brutal, hopefully a week later it might be a bit better. It is now supposed to be in single digits at the highest and possibly below zero. That is without the wind chill factor.

You ought to double check the kids clothes; they do try to get away with as little as possible. They absolutely need their warmest sweaters and coats, and warm socks. If it were my group, I'd pack two extra hats and pairs of gloves, because they get lost so easily. And, convince the kids that big wooly scarves are very stylish.

Good choice on the Holiday Inn Ohio Street - you'll be able to do Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue without moving your van. For a night out, take the kids to the free Zoolights festival at Lincoln Park Zoo. Have a great trip.