Chicago with Kids - tips?

Navy Pier is really not anything special. Really.

Chicago has such great museums. The Art Institute is world-class, especially the impressionist wing. The Field Museum is truly elite in its dinosaur collection. But I think that the Museum of Science and Industry is really my favorite. It's fascinating.

Sheep is right. Wait till they’re older to hit major spots. I’d consider the aquarium at those ages but that’s about it.

I know the kids won’t remember it. This is just part one of a longer trip to see family in northern Wisconsin. It’s just too long to travel all in one day and so we are breaking it in Chicago.

Museum of science and industry looks great but a little far from downtown hotel. We aren’t picking up a rental car and toddler car seat until our last day in Chicago so mostly looking for things/restaurants walkable from the magnificent mile hotels.

I’ll echo a couple other posts — do what you’d like. That’s such a young age; I don’t think it matters.

For the 3-year-old, you could go to Maggie Daley, LP Zoo, Shedd, Willis, etc.

With food, I have no idea… to be candid, most of the restaurants I go to in Chicago do not have kids. I have some thoughts on places in the neighborhoods, but it’s doubtful you get that far. However, if you end up at LP Zoo, maybe try Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder for an early dinner.

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Our time is limited and I fully expected to spend half of each day around the hotel pool.

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Which Hotel? Seems most in Chicago have indoor pools...

The downtown Intercontinental. Very excited about the pool. You show me a an old historic pool with hand laid mosaic tiles and I’ll show you a dad with a chub in his too short swim trunks.

Their price for a suite set up with a sitting room for the kids to sleep in was pretty good. Contemplated the four seasons or the langham but those were north of $1,000 per night.

Hey - if thats your thing, more power to you

Circling back post trip for anyone going to chicago with kids:

1. Maggie Daley park really is terrific. It is likely the best public space designed for kids I’ve ever seen. There is another park with the same design features but on a much smaller scale at Bennett square near the navy pier.

2. Erie Cafe is a great restaurant option for adults wanting a good meal with kids in tow. Solid old Italian steakhouse with very nice outdoor seating overlooking the Chicago river. The outdoor seating is also next to Montgomery ward playground. You have a view of the fully fenced in playground from your table.

3. Apparently the elevators at L train stations are commonly out of order and not all L train stops even have elevator access. Something to check in advance if you plan to use the L with kids and a stroller. Random googling of L train ADA compliance and elevator service the night before our trip saved me from this mishap.

All in all - Chicago in the summer time is just a great place to visit.

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All in all - Chicago in the summer time is just a great place to visit.

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Just wanted to add here- we got back last night from a 3 day trip to Chicago with the kids. Big time recommend it if you’ve got small kids and don’t mind taking them along. Definitely not a trip for them, but you can do what you want to do and they’ll be enjoyable.

Maggie Daley park is the coolest public space for kids I’ve ever seen. Also, we rented a boat to cruise the river for a couple hours.

I forget every trip how much fun my kids have just being in a hotel room.

All in all a great trip I wouldn’t hesitate to take again with kids

Eta- we use the Midway airport, and the orange line train is tough to beat if staying along the river on that line. 24 mins each way and really not crowded at all

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The Art Institute is world-class, especially the impressionist wing.

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But for real, it is a great museum