What to Do in Chicago with Kids and Inlaws

My daughter really enjoyed the children's museum at Navy Pier. If you have girls they might want to go to American Girl Place. The Shedd Aquarium is nice for all ages. We were there in November but hadn't been in awhile before that and there was a new show. Have fun!!

My in-laws are coming in August. Our plans include:

1. Taking train into city, playing in water at Millennium park/picnic lunch
2. Shed
3. Going to North Beach in Chicago

Things local:
1. Morton Arboretum
2. Cosley Zoo

A favorite of mine for visitors to Chicago is to have lunch at the restaurant on the top of the John Hancock.

We usually go to Brookfield when the in-laws come, but I think we may skip it this year. Brookfield is much better than Lincoln, that's for sure, if you want to hit a zoo.

Shedd Aquarium is great for all ages and doesn't consume an entire day! Perhaps spend part of the day at North Ave Beach. You could also take a water taxi from Navy Pier over the Michigan Ave to do some shopping/people watching. I really like going to Food Life in Water Tower Place, because it has something that everyone can like. It's a really unique experience. I also like going to Rain Forest Cafe with my kids.

Hi C....love the name!! ; ) I had to throw this hidden treasure out to you. Just south of the museum of science and industry is the Osaka Japanese Garden. You would have to park in the parking lot just south of the museum and walk across the clarence darrow bridge. you will have to look for the small brown sign and follow it. You could easily spend about an hour there and the bonus is its FREE! it is part of the chicago park district...bring your camera. have fun

I'll second the suggestion of Millenium Park. I think the ages of your children will be perfect for that.

The water taxi is pretty fun to use.

Buckingham Fountain has a multi colored light show to music starting at dusk.

We go to Millenium Park every summer and love it there...the water splash area is really fun and there's also a nice family tent with plenty of activities to do. Plenty to see walking around including the big bean sculpture with the skyline reflection, etc. It's free and the kids really love it. As far as museums go, Museum of Science and Industry is my favorite and was my favorite as a kid. Adlar Planetarium is cheapest I believe and has a neat kids area that I guess is new (we just went a few weeks ago with my 6 and 4 year old sons). Shedd is very pricey...was worth it to us to do the year pass as it pays for itself in less than 2 visits. Otherwise the zoo has more to see for the money. Have fun!! oh, I agree with Morton Arboretum Children's Garden to do locally too. Wednesday is a reduced admission day, or the year pass may be worthwhile as the family pass allows guests. My kids LOVE going there each summer as well.

The water taxi is a ton cheaper than a boat cruise for almost the same thing. Just a hint. And if the kids don't like it, you can get off. I spent a lot of money once to go sailing, and both kids hated it! I also like millenium park in the summer, there's that cool water feature the can splash in and cool down, and pretty gardens and sculptures. Right near there is the Chicago cultural center. There's a different art exhibit every time, and sometimes you'll stumble onto a free performance. Pretty architecture, too. Lincoln park zoo is awesome. Kids will enjoy. Navy pier is not my cup of tea ( touristy), but I suppose a must see. It is nice to go out to the end and see the lake. Oh, right north of Lincoln park zoo is the Peggy notebart nature museum, kind of fun, and a greenhouse(can't remember the name ___conservatory), that is really neat and free. Enjoy, be safe, hang on to those kiddos!