Taking the 3 Year Old Downtown Chicago

We live about 15 minutes from downtown. If he loves trains, you can take him to Navy Pier to ride on the Thomas Train. Millenium Park is awesome for kids of any age. The fountain is great! Depending on when you plan on taking him, check the millenium park schedule online. Wiggle worms will be having free music classes daily all summer long...we plan on spending alot of time there!

As for eating, there is the outdoor cafe at Millenium Park that looks pretty kid friendly. you could also pack sandwiches and eat right next to "The Bean". There are picnic tables with umbrellas.

Have a great day with your little guy!

Well, we live about 10 minutes from the loop and take our little one for day trips quite often. She really appreciates the simple things. Playing in the fountain at Millennium Park, Hanging at the beach in the sand (31st st, North Ave, Oak St), you can rent this bicycle car thing to pedal up and down the bike path around museum campus. For food we honestly just pick up sandwiches from potbelly/jimmy johns/subway and head to the park or beach. If you stay late enough and go on a Wednesday, the pier will have fireworks---of course there is the ferris wheel there too. Whenever we spend money to do something downtown, I don't think she likes it half as much as just riding the train, playing at the parks, beach, and fountain....doesn't take much at that age...lol. Oh and Lincoln Park Zoo is free along with the Alfred Lilly Pond right next to it is so pretty. Have fun!

I have a 2 year old and can't wait to take him to Crown Fountain in Millennium Park this summer.

If you're going to be anywhere near Navy Pier, hop on over to Ohio St Beach. It's a much easier walk into the water there for the little ones. If you're not bringing a picnic, there's plenty of food at Navy Pier with family-friendly restaurants.

We took an Amtrak train this past weekend and the boy loved it. Have fun!

Anne all the right ideas. We live about 20 mins from the loop and we take the train in as well. We went Saturday and got to see part of the Memorial Day Parade. Our kids (6 & 10) love being on the train and looking at all the buildings.