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.