Chicago

[2chatter]

DD turned ten and took me up on a small sleepover, no birthday party and a trip with cheap flights. For this first one we are staying with my cousin in River Forest and hitting up the Field Museum. Is there anything we have to do near the Field (not other big things - smaller things, consummate Chicago things?). We land Friday evening and depart Sunday morning. I'm thinking Giordanos and train and the Field are a pretty good intro but thought I would hit you guys up for other easy, accessible addins.

I'm super excited for this experience with/for her.

[leap]

I would go to Millennium Park and walk down Michigan Ave. Drinks at the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock building is really fun. They let kids up. I like the view from the Hancock better than from Sears (or whatever it's now called) tower. 

[frozenpeas]

Not necessarily a small thing, but I love the Museum of Science & Industry. Are you sold on the Field Museum?

And I second Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, everything around that area.

What time of year will you be there?

Edited because I just noted how long you'll be there.

[2chatter]

Yeah super quick trip - but drink at Hancock and dinner downtown is totally viable for Saturday night. I think we may go straight from the airport to pizza on Friday night.

I looooove the Field. And it's free through work and my cousins all have memberships, so going with a pack of kids also appeals. With more time we would definitely do more museums!

[traveltheworld]

I would definitely check out the bean at millennium park.

I loved museum of science and industry, am I'm not even a sciency person. It's just so grand. If you have a membership at your local science museum, entrance to the museum of science in Chicago should be free as part of the reciprocal membership program.

I also loved the purple pig - great tapes and a neat place to people watch, so a pre-teen may enjoy that.

[mommyatty]

Try to go look at Lake Michigan. Compared to Texas and Oklahoma lakes, it's just so immense! I remember as a little kid being convinced it was really the ocean and my parents were pulling my leg with the whole "lake" thing.

[frozenpeas]

Also, depending on the time of year, Navy Pier is nice. You're a runner, right? You can try to fit in a run on part of the lakefront trail or the riverfront path--build up an appetite for deep dish pizza or work it off. Or head up north to the Lincoln Park Zoo & its free admission.

Man, I love Chicago.

[saraml13]

I agree with the suggestion to head over to Millennium Park and be sure to cross over to the lake front path. I'm not a Navy Pier fan. It's another major stop in and of itself and very touristy.

Are you going to the Giordono's in Oak Park and are you particular to Giordono's? Lou Malnati's, a rival and equally classic Chicago deep dish pizza chain, recently opened a restaurant in downtown Oak Park. That's in a more vibrant area to wander around.

[phdmomma]

The giradelli ice cream shop on Michigan ave is fun, pricey but fun.

[justcheckingin73]

I agree with Lou Malnati’s. It’s my favorite deep dish. Also Garrett’s popcorn is popular and really good but Nuts on Clark is also good. Agree with all of the other suggestions. Millennium Park is awesome. 

[2chatter]

I do love G's over Lou's - I think it's partly because my cousin always sent a few when I was pregnant. Best thing ever.

I am also not big into Navy Pier but felt it was some kind of heresy to say it. Ha! DD is a kiddie foodie so the ice cream rec is solid, too.

I'm so excited I'm not hosting a big party this weekend and am instead day dreaming about Chicago.

[kimberlybb]

2chatter , this is a brilliant idea! I hate kid parties so I can totally see doing this when they get a little older. Have a great trip!

[judyblume14]

I want to stuff my face with so much Chicago pizza right now. Lou's or G's... I don't even care.

I second the dinner/drinks at the top of Hancock. For popcorn, honestly, I'd just grab some at the airport on the way in or out. With such a short trip, I wouldn't want to take up time with that. Nuts on Clark and Garrett's are both at O'Hare, and Nuts is also at Midway.

[Covergirl82]

Mmmm...Chicago pizza!!

My suggestion is to shop on Michigan Ave (Magnificent Mile) and go to either the Hancock building or Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.

I loved going to Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Oak Park, if you have time for it.

[mellym]

2chatter, I love this idea! Question though, do you still do a family birthday party/celebration? I don't think the grandparents would let us out of a family celebration.

[2chatter]

mellym - we don't always celebrate with family. We do if it organically happens. The other grandkids and nieces and nephews are all over 20 on both sides - so I think everyone is just kind of done with kids, unfortunately for mine. Also, DH is so hostile so much of the time I think his family gives us all a wide berth.

And they kind of suck right now - because of the being over kids thing - there's an engagement party coming up and told DH no kids then told him about how they had to make two exceptions. Not for our kids. So DH told them he's coming with DS and the girls and I are doing their usual activities. I mean, I am sure it's super convenient to exclude kids now that we are the only ones with kids....jerks.

[mellym]

2chatter, sorry they aren't involved much. We have the opposite problem having the only grandkids on DH's side.