What is there to do in Chicago IL?

Question

I will be in the area in a couple of weeks and I am unsure of what to do all day for 5 days with my 13 year old brother. Any good places to visit? Names of good restaurants would be appreciated too.

Answer 1

Contact the Chicago bureau of Tourism and they will give you some great ideas for walking trips. The muesems are good, so are the zoos and things.

As for restaraunts, there are so many it all depends on what you want to eat and how much you are will ing to spend.

Answer 2

312-836-7000, call to ask for a chicago map. this will have all the "must see" places and the routes to get there, this map will be a good source for you especially if you are travelling by public trans.

On a different note, we have many museums, Art, Culture, Medicine, History and Science Museums. You might want to search for Chicago museums (ie, Museum of Natural History has special exhibits that might be appealing to your brother) also, the Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium (which holds fish from around the world as well as purpoise and the Beluga Wales) there are shows that show tricks and explain about the fish as well.

We have carriage rides in the loop area which will take you in 1 or 2 routes, along the lake or on the main strip. On a warm day you might prefer the lake.

Buckingham Fountain at night is beautiful with the colors and the water and all. The Fountain itself is controlled from St. Louis.

There is a rock n roll McDonalds north of downtown, Navy Pier holds many childrens accomodations with stores and restaurants as well as boat rides.

If you like shopping then Sears on Michigan and Drake (give or take a block) is a 3 story shopping mall. The whole strip of Michigan Ave from Van Buren and over the Bridge have wonderful shops. But the "Mag Mile" is really the best for tourists.

If you continue on Michigan Ave past Oak Street Michigan turnes into Lake Shore Drive you will see the beaches that line the Drive, and you may want to enjoy some of the waves if you are here during our hot days.


There are boat tours (Wendella Boats) you can get tickes under the bridge on Michigan Ave.

Answer 3

With a 13 year old, I'd probably hit Navy Pier. They have an IMax theater there that he'll probaby like. I'd take him to Niketown, an all Nike store on Michigan Ave. Even if you don't buy anything, it's like a Nike museum with shoes and uniforms of Michael Jordan and the like. There's also an Apple computer store on the same street where he can check out the latest computers, iPods, etc. If you want to get away from that area, head over to Belmont and clark. Not sure what type of music he likes, but there's a store called The Alley that sells punk gear. YOu could walk down to Wrigley Field from there and take a look around. When the Cubs are out of town they give tours of the ballpark. Check their website for details.

You could take a sightseeing boat ride on the river and out into the lake. There are boats docked at Navy Pier and on the Chicago River near Michigan ave.

As far as restaurants, I'd suggest Pizzera Due or Uno, Buba di Beppo, ESPN Zone (although they can get a little crowded), and there's a Dave and Busters on Clark Street near Division that is good for kids and older people. They have a big video game room.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Places and things that will interest the both of you. (You do not state your age).

The Field museum - it has several permanent exhibits including:

1, Sue the worlds largest T-Rex dinosaur.
2. Real animals from all over the world. (They are stuffed and group in families.) He is at the right age to find this exhibit extremely interesting including seeing animals that are now endangered or extinct. Also seeing the variety of animals and the skill of the taxidermists and trying to figure out how the animals look so life like.
3. The Mummy collection including cats and small animals.
The are some many exhibits in the museum that he may want to spend all 5 days in this museum. (Less than 10% of their collection is on view at any time.)
Here is there website.
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

Also interesting for a 13th year old, it a boat ride through the locks. The Chicago River flows backward and when you enter the lake the locks have to fill up in order for the boat to get through.

A baseball game: Cubs or Sox, both are easy accessible by public transportation.

There are other museums including the Alder Planetarium & Shedd Aquarium both are in the same complex as the Field Museum.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
http://www.sheddaquarium.org


There is the Art Institute or the Museum of Science & Industry.
The Museum of Science & Industry currently has a CSI exhibit that ends in early September and the permanent German submarine that was captured during WWII.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php
http://www.msichicago.org

If he is coming in late June through early July, there is the Taste of Chicago with food from 75 different restaurants and music, fireworks etc. The Art Institute is located in Grant Park, the same location as the Taste of Chicago.

Also in Grant Park is the north section called Millennium Park which has sculptures and it Chicago's newest tourist attraction.

There is Great America amusement park.
http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/

Navy Pier is where you would catch the boat ride. There are other boat rides to choose from including sailing and speed boats.

There are so many restaurants, it would depend on where you are staying, what tourist attraction you visit and what type of food you and your brother like. If you come between June 29th and July 8th you can sample 75 restaurants in one place at the Taste of Chicago.
The below sites lists other events.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Answer 5

whats not to do.
shedd aquarium, navy pier, shopping.

get info from your hotel.

E-mail your hotel for things to do for your age group. The hotel may also have coupons too.
see if there is a trip to Great America, the best
amusement park to visit. ask for discounts.

have fun!!!