Travel suggestions for Chicago with an 8 year old girl?

Question

I am taking my daughter to Chicago for a 3 days 'girls trip' in February. We are already doing the whole American Girl shopping day and are staying at the Wyndham but wondered of any 'must see or do's' I can take her on or places to eat etc.

Thanks so much in advance for your suggestions!

Answer 1

You've GOT to take her to the Museum of Science & Industry & thr "Fairy Castle" is a MUST.
Colleen Moore was a silent film star & she & her father created the most miraculous Fairy Dollhouse ! She donated it to the children of Chicago.
Click here for a preview:
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/fairy_castle/fchome.html

Of course there are MANY interesting, fun, & educational things at this Museum, but for an 8 year old girl, this is a MUST!

I'm in my 50's & still love it, as a matter of fact I took my Mother there on a "Field Trip Date" a few years ago, before she passed away & it was a Fun day for us both !

Here's the main link to the museum:
http://www.msichicago.org/index.html

Answer 2

Quick ideas:

Since you're already around the Mag Mile, there's the Hershey Shop across the street from the Water Tower. John Hancock Observatory gives a great view of the area on a clear day at one of the tallest points outside of Sears Tower.

I have an 8 yo daughter whose pizza tastes don't go beyond pepperoni, but the Chicago-style places like Pizzaria Uno, Pizzaria Due, and Gino's East are good ideas.

There's Navy Pier, with lots of amusements around. I think the Chicago Children's Museum is still located there.

The Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium) can be an all-day thing, if you try to go to all three museums.

And if that's not enough, I'm sure the concierge at the Wyndham has a few more ideas up his/her sleeves. Have fun!

Answer 3

I grew up in Chicago and started my family there (my daughter is 8, too!) and you and your daughter should have a great time in Chicago. My daughter loves going to the top of the John Hancock building. You can see the whole city from there, and you can have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in the basement. Or, if there is no Rainforest Cafe near where you live, that is a great place to take kids for a meal (http://www.rainforestcafe.com/), and it is also downtown. You can go ice skating at Millenium Park. The Shedd Aquarium is an absolute must- they have a huge fish tank right in the middle of the entrance with sharks in it, and twice a day divers will go in and feed the fish and tell everyone a few facts about them all. It is really fun for kids (and adults, too). The Field Museum is right across the street from the aquarium, and they really cater to kids and have lots of interactive exhibits. Navy Pier is nearby those 2 and has loads of stuff for kids to do also, including a huge ferris wheel and carousel, although it might be too cold to do that in February.

Hope that helps, and have fun!

Answer 4

The Lincoln Park Zoo is lovely and free...there is also a conservatory across the street from it and it has great kid friendly garden exhibits. It also would be nice to go outdoor ice skating in Millennium Park - there is a cute cafe attached to get hot chocolate at afterward. Ed Debevic's on Wells is fun for kids too - the waitresses play the part of a wise-crack and make the kids laugh a lot.

Answer 5

you have to go to Navy Pier and then the aquarium. Those are 2 places I always go when I go back to visit. If you like corn got to one of the mexican carts and get a corn on a stick, tell them you want everything on it, maybe not the hot sauce though. They are great. My kids love them. Im not sure where you are from but maybe get some White Castles, we dont have them where we live now.
Hope you two have a great time. Dress warm, in February the wind may be pretty bad.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Go ice skating at millenium park. That'll be pretty fun. Make sure you don't go to too many museums and stuff like that. It might get boring after a while. Unless she likes learning about stuff then that's cool. You can also go with the flow, and do whatever opportunity that comes your way. Ask the bellhop at the hotel or something they'll know what to do.

Answer 8

She'll probably like the Shedd Aquarium, the children's museum at Navy Pier, and some of the exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry. Especially the house with all the miniatures in it. It's really cool.

Answer 9

Chicago has many great things to do and see, I live here. Try this link.

http://www.thelocaltourist.com/ThingsToDo.htm

The museums are great and McDonald's is a cool place, but there are so many choices. Hope this link helps you.

Welcome to Chicago! Have fun!

Answer 10

Shed aquarium and if she likes dinasaurs the field museam has an amazing collection, for eating there is the rainforest cafe, this really cool mcdonalds, and the hard rock cafe