Long weekend in Chicago with 9 year old son
 

I am taking my 9 year old son to Chicago in a few weeks. We will be staying three nights. My son is hard to impress-- any advice on some more unusual touristy things to do? Also any advice on good quality restaurants? My son eats most anything and is well behaved.

Thanks in advance.
Jeanne

It's not exactly unusual, but the Museum of Science and Industy is a wonderful place.

What kinds of things is he into?

Jeanne, hard to impress, eh?

Take him for lunch to the Signature Room on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Center.

Agree with the Museum of Science and Industry - especially recommend that you let him see the U505 WWII German Submarine. It's the real deal. Pay the extra $5 pp for boarding it. (You have to go early - recommend as soon as it opens because this is a BIG museum.) There is also a new exhibit about Star Wars opening up in early October, I think.

Sue at the Field Museum is the most complete T-rex skeleton in the world. Sue's real head is on the second floor, (it is too heavy for the skeleton to hold it up.)

If the Cubs keep playing the way they are, recommend that you take a ride on the Red Line El (Elevated) train to Wrigley Field. If they are at home, try to get tickets. If they are away on a weekend, there are tours of historic Wrigley Field on certain dates. They do only allow a certain number of people on the tours and they do sell out at times.

I'm not sure at what time you are coming but the Tallship Windy has pirate dinner cruises. If they are still operating when you are visiting, a nice option.

How about a Segway tour? If not, how about a bike tour (such as Bobby's Bike Hike). You'll need to check the websites to see if and when they can be done when you are here.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is free everyday. And, if you go to the Zoo, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is only 2 blocks west on N. Clark Street. If you wish, you could tell your son it is situated right across the street from where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurred and historians believe the building where Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is located was used as the look-out.

Millennium Park. And tell your son that all of the ground under the park - and, in fact, all of Grant Park is actually on landfill from debris of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

As you didn't indicate your dates, I'll mention this as well. The Chicago International Children's Film Festival will be occurring in later October. Perhaps it will jive with your schedule.

Hope these suggestions might help a bit!

A 9 year old boy being impressed with the Signature Room...too funny! :-)

We will be going in mid September. I looked into the segway tour but you have to be at least 12.

He does love baseball but the cubs are out of town that weekend. The tours are already booked for that weekend as well.

I think he will like the museum of science so we will definitely do that.

Is the children's museum appropriate for his age or is it for younger children?

Other activities?

Restaurant suggestions?

Thanks.

hills27, don't get your hilarity...You don't think a 9 yr. old will be impressed with the view from the Signature Room? After all, that's the reason to go, isn't it?

I recently went to the Chicago Historical Society musuem and it was great. Very interactive and fun. They have a special kids' section but I think the main museum is pretty interesting for kids too. Don't forget to get him a Chicago dog. They have a mock-up of one at the museum.

At age 10, our daughter was very non-plussed by the children's museum. The same 10 YO thought the Chicago Historical Society was going to be a big snooze but ended up loving it.

Garrett popcorn was also a huge hit.

I think anyone would be impressed with the view from top of the Hancock building. I'm not sure I'd take a 9 year old to the Signature Room. I think the Observatory would be much more interesting to a kid.

There is an excellent children's theater scene in Chicago. You didn't give your exact dates, but if you check chicagoplays.com you can look up what's on stage. metromix.com and chireader.com have reviews (hint - swordfights are big hits with that age!)

There are several boat cruises that attract kids - search for Seadog or Tall Ship Windy to see if they are still sailing.

Your son is on the borderline, age-wise, for the Children's Museum. If you are here on a Thursday night,you could check it out for a short time - Thursday is their free night. Navy Pier is touristy, but the Ferris Wheel and open space is a sure thing for kids. Their IMAX theater is another idea fro evenings. Finally, the Lincoln Park Zoo and Notebaert Nature Museum make a good combination for a day's visit; Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder or Frances' Diner are nearby and kid-friendly.

The Shedd Aquarium would be great for a 9 year old. Not only do they have fish, but lizards, sharks, all kinds of stuff. And it's right on the lake front.

I'm not a huge fan of Navy Pier in general, but they do have an IMAX theatre there, and a huge ferris wheel, which is pretty neat. Also on the lake front.

As far as restaurants with a 9 year old...

Quartino's would be good. It's Italian served tapas style. Small portions so you can try different things. Just a warning, it's a bit chaotic, fast paced in the restaurant.

Boston Blackie's is a great burger place, but Portillo's is my personal favorite. It's like upscale fast food. Burgers, ribs, salads, pasta. It's wonderful.

I'm sure he would like a place like Flat Top Grill. You choose your own items at a stir fry bar, and then the stir fry it up right there for you. Not awesome food, but it's decent and fun.

There are a few Brazilian steak house, that are all you can eat. They bring these huge carts of meat, and you choose what you want. It's somewhat entertaining to watch. They also have great salad bars usually. Fogo de Chao, and Sal and Carvao are two that I am familiar with.

Here are a few chicago entertainment websites, which would probably help you along as well.
www.chireader.com

Good luck!
www.metromix.com

My 9 year old grandson loves ESPN zone.

Kids all seem to like the food court in Water Tower. Don't let the term food court fool you.

Mus.of Sc.& Ind. is a bus ride away- and don't short yourself time. They have a new and excellent interactive and he might love it. You will too. YOU are the CSI and have to determine certain facts, was it an accident etc? You only get 1 of three different scenarios per visit and it is awesome. Get your entry to this for sure.

My 4 to 12 year olds love the Shedd. There are several touch/ hands on and much more than the normal aquarium. That's not even a bus ride either. You could combine with the Field, but that would be an entire day if you did both.

A walk onto the beach and also in Millenium Park area with sprinkler soaking, might be appreciated as well.

There are so many restaurants that you would need to peruse $$, locations and much else yourself. www.metromix.com for a start.

Oh we posted at the same time.

Yes, Shedd is the one out of all of them that my kids and grandkids like the best.

If you go, don't fail to notice the species designations on the walls- done in ways that could not be replicated in 2007 for any amount of money. Much of that kind of stonework and art- combination of skills- requires years and years of practice and apprenticeship. There are only a handful of people in the world that can still accomplish it.

Great ideas JJ5. ESPN Zone and Water Tower Food Court would be great.

When our kids were younger, we used to take them to the Art Institute on Saturday morning for FREE art classes. They used to have a theme, say sailboats or gardens, take the kids on a brief gallery walk, then let them loose in the basement classroom where they could make art work (paintings, mobiles, etc.). We usually followed up with lunch in the area. They are some of the fondest memories of childhood for our children. See the link below to Family Programs at the Art Institute. http://www.artic.edu/aic/calendar/ev...gramCategory=5

The Museum of Science and Industry sounds great-- it has been YEARS since I have been there and it sounds improved. Someone suggested renting a bicycle-- does anyone know if there will be places to do this? I'll check out the theatre as well and see what is playing.

No one mentioned Sears Tower (vs Hancock)-- is it still open to tourists?

I also heard that there is somewhere you can go to record your own record?? does anyone know anything about this?

Keep the suggestions pouring in. Thanks.

My 10 year old granddaughter loved the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, American Girl Store and the Navy Pier - what kid doesn't love rides:) As far as restaurants, the biggest hit with her was Ed Debevics(sp). She loved those crazy waiters/waitresses!!
Have a great time whatever you do!
Pam

The Notebaert Nature Museum is also great. www.naturemuseum.org. It's in Lincoln Park in a lovely new building. The zoo in Lincoln Park too, expecially the new primate house. Good family restaurants near there are Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder or Walkers Pancake House.

Gosh, people, I'm throwing out my "pearls of wisdom" here and no one is catching! :D

Honestly, though, I mentioned having lunch at the Signature Room because they have the buffet Monday-Saturday for only $10 for children (under 12), $18 for adults - and the Children's Menu has several items on it, each for $8. So if get a cheeseburger (and included extras) and drink for your son - you'll be paying approximately the same as going up to the Observatory.

You can rent bikes at Navy Pier, Millennium Park, North Avenue Beach or Foster Avenue Beach (the last wouldn't be of interest to you, though). However, do look at a guided bike tour, especially if you are coming on a weekend.

IMHO, the Children's Museum and, most likely, the Nature Museum might be not the most interesting to him as I feel they are geared for younger kids.

If he loves baseball, you could go to Harry Caray's for lunch. If he loves football, you could go to Mike Ditka's for dinner. Da Coach is often there at his restaurant in the evening, greeting customers, by the way.

By any chance are you coming into Chicago the weekend of September 15 & 16? They are having the Celtic Fest in Grant Park. Although you might not want to stay for an extended time, if you are walking through that area, definitely take a little time to see what's going on.

Chicago is famous for its double-crust pizza. And I'm sorry but that "Old Chicago" chain you can find in other cities is a poor imitation.

There were several good independents and local chains (my fave was Giordano's), but it has been years since I lived there so maybe a current resident could help you out more.

I think a 9-year old would love the view, but he's not going to enjoy a meal there (and neither is the mom, since the food stinks). Better to go up to the Signature Room, order some sodas, take in the view, and then go somewhere good for lunch.

Unfortunately, the CSI exhibit ends this weekend.

You said he loves baseball. Are the Sox out of town too?

Don't know if your son is into Legos, but the store is pretty cool if you don't have one in your town.

Most kids love Blue Man Group.

There's the Cool Globes exhibit of over 100 five-foot globes along the waterfront.

The new Shoot for the Moon exhibit at the planetarium has quite a few interactive experiences: http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/exhi...dex.shtml#sftm

The self-guided treasure hunt might be a fun way to visit Millenium Park: http://preview.tinyurl.com/223aq3.

Here's the Celtic Fest link: http://preview.tinyurl.com/s92z5. And a schedule of other festivals in September: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ynpfth.

Restaurants:

Frontera Grill (Rick Bayless's restaurant) - fantastic authentic Mexican food (not Tex Mex) and cool Day of the Dead decorations your son will love. Call in the morning (312.661.1434) for same day reservations.

My friend's kids loved Big Bowl when they visited.

If the weather is nice....

Parthenon - not the best Greek restaurant in Greektown, but the rooftop serves pretty good Greek tapas and has a fantastic view of the city.

Lunch outside (overlooking the river) at Smith & Wollensky - best burger I've ever eaten and just a few blocks off Michigan Avenue.

But since you say your son eats almost anything and is well behaved, what types of restaurants/food do YOU want? Price range? Then I can give you better restaurant advice.

hills27, wow! That's a pretty harsh criticism of the Signature Room. Sorry that you've had that type of experience.

I worked right across the street from the John Hancock Center until recently, by the way. I've not had the same type of experience as you when I've gone and my (then) co-workers didn't say anything of the sort, either.

While I agree that there are many better places in the city to eat, I would rate the buffet (and food in general) as OK but you are paying for the view, of course. However, the buffet prices are quite reasonable, all-considering.

I checked Metromix to see what type of reviews have been posted recently. I see that a couple didn't enjoy their food and one indicted that the food was average. Most of the complaints, though, were from people about their inability (or lengthy wait) to get window seats or lack of service. As we ALL know (or as we all SHOULD know), any time you go to one of these types of stratosphere restaurants, window seats are NOT guaranteed. Even in Everest where you are going to lay a lot of big $$$$ down on the table, they won't guarantee them.

Quite frankly, I'm rather surprised that people would think otherwise. After all, someone has to fill those tables in the center of the restaurant.

Well, anyway, the OP can go to the Signature Room and pay for some pricey drinks, if they prefer, and then eat elsewhere.

With respect to Frontera Grill, as I understand and from my past experience, the restaurant only takes a *limited* amount of reservations on the day of service on a first-come, first-serve caller basis. So the OP will have to call as soon as possible if they wish these the day they want to dine there.

And, with all due respect, Smith and Wollensky is another restaurant which is (IMHO) just OK but the OP should know that it is a chain, in case that means anything to them.

My daughter was 10 and my son was 5 when we went to Chicago. They both really liked both Shedd's Aquarium, and the Science and Industry Museum. They also liked taking the train, and going to Navy Pier.

Our kids loved the fast boat ride on the Seadog, which tours the waterfront, leaving from Navy Pier. People in the front get soaked.

You can bike down the lakefront to the Museum of Science and Industry. When you are at the Museum, if you haven't biked, step outside and cross over to the lakefront. Walk a bit north to the Point and take the paths out to the water. Climb around on the rocks. Take a frizbee and throw it in the park at the point.

I agree that Smith & Wollensky is an average steak chain, but it's burgers are awesome. So when the weather is nice, the patio overlooking the river is a nice place for lunch and/or a cold beer.

As for the Signature Room, I wasn't suggesting pricey drinks (their drinks are awful and very overpriced), just a soda. I work in the building and there's never a line in the afternoon.

hills27, saying this in the nicest way possible: A soda is a drink, too.

Jeanne, yes, the Sears Tower Skydeck is still open to the public. However, a lot of locals (including myself) recommend the John Hancock Center over the Sears Tower because of their opinion that the view is better, plus it's right on the Magnificent Mile - as opposed to being to the west of the Loop and further away from the other attractions. The lines are usually longer at the Sears, as well.

Of course, you're right. But to me, drinks usually connotes alcohol - e.g. going for a drink - so pricey drinks to me means an expensive glass of wine or cocktail. I don't thinkt he OP is going to take her son for drinks. :-)

But it takes so long to get a waitress to take your order that the OP could probably get away with not ordering anything!

As someone who volunteers at the Shedd Aquarium, I must tell you that it is the number one tourist attraction in the city of Chicago. It sits out on the lakefront by the Field Museum and the Planetarium for a beautiful view which you can also enjoy while eating there. There is a wonderful Marriot catered restaurant upstairs for more selective dining and in the downstairs there is a more food court style eating with choices of pizza,sandwiches,etc.
The Shedd is a fabulous place to go for all ages as it is not the "stuffy type" aquarium from years past.The oceanarium combined with the wild reef,amazon rising,and all the other exhibits will make any kid impressed.You can purchase a museum pass that will allow you to hit several of the museums including the Shedd over various days of use. I would definitely hit the Museum of Science and Industry;the Field Museum;the Shedd;ESPN Zone and go up in the Sears Tower.Add the boat ride and a trip to Navy Pier and it will be a great visit.

<<But to me, drinks usually connotes alcohol - e.g. going for a drink - so pricey drinks to me means an expensive glass of wine or cocktail.>>

With all due respect to the previous poster, when a reviewer or article is discussing the cost of a meal excluding drink, tax or tip, it means any drink, alcoholic or not. Pricey just means it costs more than the average amount.

Jeanne, do take your son to the John Hancock Center. He will be impressed by the view. If you do research here and at other travel forums, you will see where posters often recommend going to either the Signature Room or Signature Lounge instead of the Observatory because, depending on what you get, the cost would be about the same, or a little less. Plus you have the time where you can sit and enjoy the view.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. We are looking forward to our trip.

Plenty of good suggestions here. Definitely go for deep dish pizza. My favorite is Giordano's, but he might like Gino's East the best. They're back in their original location just off Michigan Ave., and he can write on the walls there.