A Weekend with the Kids

Description:

The Best Western River North Chicago Downtown Hotel receives rave reviews for its prime location. It's in the center of the city and puts you within walking distance of the river, the Magnificent Mile, and great shopping along Michigan Ave.; it is also right across the street from the Rainforest and Hard Rock Cafe. The hotel has received negative reviews on some of the rooms being dated and small. Most guests found the service satisfactory, and considered the location to help make up for some of the hotel's downfalls.

Our Local Expert Says:

This two-story McDonald's is meant to be more of a place where patrons can lounge and relax on the 2nd floor (there is an escalator) in cushy chairs and booths. Free wireless internet is available, so you can check your e-mail while you wash down your quarter pounder.

Description:

"Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries, Icy Coke, Thick Shake, Sundaes and Apple Pie..." goes an old McDonald's jingle about its classic fast food menu. Find these eats and more at this 1950s-themed franchise that houses vintage cars, jukeboxes and rock 'n' roll memorabilia. Located near the Hard Rock Cafe, another popular nightspot in the heart of downtown, this was the busiest McDonald's in the world at one point.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great activity for the entire family, located on Museum Campus.

Description:

The Shedd is one of the world's largest indoor aquariums, and houses thousands of river, lake, and sea denizens in standard aquarium tanks and elaborate new habitats within its octagon-shaped marble building. The only problem with the Shedd is its steep admission price ($24.95 for adults). You can keep your costs down by buying the "Aquarium Only" admission, but you'll miss some of the most stunning exhibits. A CityPass can save you money if you visit enough of the other included attractions.

The first thing you'll see as you enter is the Caribbean Coral Reef. This 90,000-gallon circular tank occupies the Beaux Arts-style central rotunda, entertaining spectators who press up against the glass to ogle divers feeding nurse sharks, barracudas, stingrays, and a hawksbill sea turtle. A roving camera connected to video monitors on the tank's periphery gives visitors close-ups of the animals inside, but I'd recommend sticking around to catch one of the daily feedings, when a diver swims around the tank and (thanks to a microphone) talks about the species and their eating habits.

The exhibits surrounding the Caribbean coral reef re-create marine habitats around the world. The best is Amazon Rising: Seasons of the River, a rendering of the Amazon basin that showcases frogs and other animals as well as fish (although the sharp-toothed piranhas are pretty cool).

You'll pay extra to see the other Shedd highlights, but they're quite impressive, so I'd suggest shelling out for them if you plan to spend more than an hour here. The Oceanarium, with a wall of windows revealing the lake outside, replicates a Pacific Northwest coastal environment and creates the illusion of one uninterrupted expanse of sea. On a fixed performance schedule in a large pool flanked by an amphitheater, a crew of friendly trainers puts dolphins through their paces of leaping dives, breaches, and tail walking. Check out the Oceanarium schedule as soon as you get to the Shedd; seating can fill up quickly, so you'll want to get here early. If you're visiting during a summer weekend, you may also want to buy your Oceanarium ticket in advance to make sure you can catch a show that day. (Note: The Oceanarium will be closed for structural maintenance from Sept 2008 until early June 2009.)

Wild Reef -- Sharks at Shedd is a series of 26 connected habitats that house a Philippine coral reef patrolled by sharks and other predators. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring the toothy swimmers up close and personal (they even swim over your head at certain spots).

If you want a quality sit-down meal in a restaurant with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan, check out Soundings. There's also a family-friendly cafeteria.

Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

Enjoy getting sprayed by the 150 foot plume on the hour. On summer nights, stop by while walking through Grant Park to take in a show of sorts: fountain sprays choreographed to 780 colored lights and recorded music by the Grant Park Symphony and Chorus. Our local has been treated to a surprise rendition (her surprise, anyway) of the 1812 Overture.

Description:

Graceful sea horses spray jets of water into the lagoon that surrounds what is perhaps Chicago's most beloved public piece of art. Philanthropist Kate Buckingham commissioned the fountain in 1927 in honor of her brother Clarence. Its design parallels one of the fountains at Versailles Palace in France. You may, however, recognize it from the intro to "Married with Children." Recently renovated, the fountain has been returned to its former splendor. At night, it becomes gorgeously illuminated, drawing crowds from May 1 (or earlier if warm) until mid-October.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you are in the mood for a relaxing day, Millennium Park is the perfect place for a afternoon picnic, where you can take in the art and architecture. In the summer catch a performance at Pritzker Pavilion, while enjoying a bottle of wine with friends from the Great Lawn.

Description:

Chicago is full of must-see attractions, but at the top of the Can't Miss list is Millennium Park. It debuted in 2004, several years overdue, but it was worth the wait. It is a true gem, right downtown between Michigan Avenue and the lake. One can easily spend an afternoon just sitting on the benches at the perimeter of the Pritzker Pavilion, stare at their warped reflection in Cloud Gate ("The Bean" to locals), and watch the rotating faces in Crown Fountain spew water every five minutes or so. Immediately to the south of Millennium Park lie the Art Institute and Grant Park, which all together would make for a wonderfully relaxing day. If you only have time for one of the three, though, do not pass go, do not collect $200- without going to Millennium Park.

Description:

This 120 feet tall location is home to some of the largest and most well-known musical performances in United States, accomodating approximately 11,000 people at a time. Named in the fond memory of businessman Jay Pritzker, this pavilion hosts a number of rock as well as classical concerts. Latest state-of-the-art sound system adds to the experience. The Pavilion also organizes annual prestigious shows like the Grant Park Music Festival. Admission to most events is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

No trip to Chicago is complete without a trip to Cloud Gate, or "The Bean" as locals call it. Soon after its unveiling in 2004, it was closed off in portions so that the rivets could be buffed out. Now it is a seamless sculpture, reminiscent of one giant fun-house mirror. When you're finished here, head over to the Crown Fountain in the spring and summer months to take in the walls of smiling faces.

Description:

This popular sculpture in Millennium Park has become a landmark of Chicago's cityscape. Ever since the public first glimpsed the then-unfinished structure in 2004, its unique appearance has drawn a great deal of both criticism and praise. Designed by British artist Anish Kapoor and forged from steel plates that have been polished to a mirror-like finish, Cloud Gate has been affectionately named "The Bean" by city residents because of its legume-like shape. At 66 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 33 feet high, this is one mighty bean, weighing in at 110 tons. The highly reflective surface and curved shape create an effect similar to that of a funhouse-mirror, distorting the shape of curious onlookers and making it a popular attraction for children of all ages. The sculpture often takes on a life of its own as its surface reflects Chicago's skyscrapers and the blue sky.

Our Local Expert Says:

Gut-busting portions will leave you happily stuffed. Consider Maggiano's the best River North tourist-trap restaurant option for groups of 4 or more.

Description:

Travel back to the 1940s and savor southern Italian cooking in this home-style eatery resembling a post-war "Little Italy" family restaurant. Polished wood floors, intimate tables and black-and-white family portraits give Maggiano's Little Italy a familiar feel. You will enjoy homemade breads, generous pastas and delicious meat dishes. On the weekends, waits can extend for up to two hours. People jam in for the homely atmosphere and huge portions that come with not-so-huge prices. Check website for details.

Description:

Shoreline launches 30-minute lake cruises every half-hour from its two dock locations at the Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. Shoreline has also gotten in on the popularity of architecture tours. Narrated by architectural guides, they cost more than regular tours. A water taxi also runs every half-hour between Navy Pier and the Sears Tower, Michigan Avenue, and the Shedd Aquarium. Tickets for the water taxi cost $3 to $13, depending how far you travel.

Description:

Founded in 1981 after a split with Second City, the ImprovOlympic has become one of finest comedy clubs in the Midwest. While not as well known as its cousin, this club showcases high-quality comedic talent and entertainment and boasts a number of famous alumni, such as Andy Dick and the late Chris Farley. In addition to stand-up, professional plays and musicals are staged in the upstairs theater. Something funny is happening every night of the week.

Description:

Discover the story behind the ivy that shades this famous stadium, and find out what makes the scoreboard truly unique in baseball today. Fans of both baseball and history will enjoy this 90-minute tour, which includes stops at the players' dugouts and clubhouses, fan bleachers, mezzanine luxury suites, scoreboard and playing field. Tours are conducted only on weekends when the Cubs are on the road. All proceeds go to Cubs Care charities.

Description:

In 1971, the Lettuce Entertain You empire began at this humble eatery. The menu is bare-bones American fare and the atmosphere is gritty in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. R.J.'s is well known for the huge salad bar, but it sounds more appealing than it typically looks. Instead, stick with a burger, a huge bowl of chili or the barbecue brisket sandwich. The most unusual thing about this joint is what you get on the side. No French fries here. All sandwiches come with homemade potato chips, which comes as something of a shock to fry-addicted Chicagoans.

Description:

Just beyond the zoo's northeast border is a lovely botanical garden housed in a soaring glass-domed structure. Inside are four great halls filled with thousands of plants. If you're visiting Chicago in the wintertime, I can't think of a better prescription for mood elevation than this lush haven of greenery. The Palm House features giant palms and rubber trees (including a 50-ft. fiddle-leaf rubber tree dating back to 1891); the Fernery nurtures plants that grow close to the forest floor; and the Tropical House is a shiny symphony of flowering trees, vines, and bamboo. The fourth environment is the Show House, where seasonal flower shows take place.

Even better than the plants inside, however, might be what lies outside the front doors. The expansive lawn, with its French garden and lovely fountain on the conservatory's south side, is one of the best places in town for an informal picnic (especially nice if you're visiting the zoo and want to avoid the congestion at its food concession venues).

The Lincoln Park Conservatory has a sister facility on the city's West Side, in Garfield Park, that is even more impressive. In fact, the 2-acre Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. (tel. 312/746-5100), designed by the great landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1907, is one of the largest gardens under glass in the world. Unfortunately, it's surrounded by a rather blighted neighborhood with a high crime rate, so I recommend driving there rather than using public transportation. It's open 365 days a year from 9am to 5pm.

Allow a half-hour for the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Our Local Expert Says:

A perfect choice for those looking for a family fun activity. Most of the day could easily be spent here viewing the animals, having a picnic in the open park areas, then walking to the lake to play on the beach. Plus, admission is FREE!

Description:

As the only zoo in the City of Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days a year. Founded in 1868, it is also one of the nation's oldest zoos. The Lincoln Park Zoo does an impressive job with its various exhibits, most notably the Regenstein Center for African Apes, where you can look a gorilla in the face (from the other side of the rail or glass, of course). The Lincoln Park Conservatory is directly to the north of the zoo, where you can take in some flora to complement your fauna fix from the zoo. A nice pre or post-zoo meal can be had at R.J. Grunt's, directly across the street. During the Christmas season the zoo lights up with a free light show every evening.

Description:

No trip to Chicago is complete without a stroll down North Michigan Avenue, or "the Magnificent Mile" to those in the know (which includes most, if not all, tourists). This stretch of almost a mile to the north of the Chicago river is home to most of the city's powerhouse retailers, which attract locals and visitors year-round. It is worth noting that all land to the east of Michigan Avenue is landfill; it was built up from debris from the Great Fire of 1871. Also of note is the Chicago Water Tower, located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues, which provided much of the water to put out the Fire. For a break from shopping sprees, head beneath the street to the Billy Goat Tavern (stairs are at Illinois Street) for a cheezborger.

Description:

Chicago has two giant black buildings with observation decks- the Willis Tower downtown, and the John Hancock Center, which is at the top of the Magnificent Mile. Both are popular with tourists, but given its location in Chicago's main shopping district, a visit to the Hancock Center can be more of an afterthought than a planned excursion. Visitors must pay a fee to visit the observatory, but can go to the Signature Room, a restaurant on a floor above the observatory deck, for "free" with the purchase of a drink at the bar (or an expensive meal, if you prefer). The views from either the observatory or the Signature Room are impressive, and on a clear day visitors can see up to four states- Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and, of course, Illinois.

Description:

Locations all over the city, thin crust and deep dish, and mostaccioli to die for--Giordano's is known for being at the top of Chicagoans' "best of" lists, particularly when it comes to pizza.  Stuffed to the brim of its flaky golden crust, the deep dish at Giordano's won't disappoint--try the Special (sausage, green pepper, and onion) or the Hawaiian (Canadian bacon, pineapple, and onion).  Definitely start off by sharing a family-style salad to get your greens in, and if you can possibly manage to save room for dessert, savor some tiramisu.  Not in the mood for pizza? Try one of their meatball or Italian sausage sandwiches. 

Description:

Built during World War I, this 3,000-foot-long pier was a Navy training center for pilots during World War II. Now, the military aura is long gone, replaced with a combination of carnival attractions, a food court, and boat dock, making it a bustling tourist destination (whether or not that's a good thing depends on your tolerance for crowds). If you do make it all the way to the end of the pier, though, you'll be rewarded with great views of the city.

Midway down the pier are the Crystal Gardens, with 70 full-size palm trees, dancing fountains, and other flora in a glass-enclosed atrium; a carousel and kiddie carnival rides; and a 15-story Ferris wheel, a replica of the original that made its debut at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. The pier is also home to the Chicago Children's Museum, a 3-D IMAX theater (tel. 312/595-5629), a small ice-skating rink, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. The shops tend to be bland and touristy, and dining options include a food court, an outpost of Lincoln Park's popular Charlie's Ale House, and the white-tablecloth seafood restaurant Riva. You'll also find a beer garden with live music; Joe's Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium, a Southern-style barbecue restaurant with live music; and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. & Market, a casual family seafood joint. Summer is one long party at the pier, with fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows may sound dull, but decorative-art aficionados shouldn't miss this remarkable installation of more than 150 stained-glass windows set in illuminated display cases. Occupying an 800-foot-long expanse on the ground floor of Navy Pier, the free museum features works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, John LaFarge, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

If the noise and commercialism get overwhelming, take the half-mile stroll to the end of the pier, where you can enjoy the wind, the waves, and the city view, which is the real delight of a place like this. Or, unwind in Olive Park, a small sylvan haven with a sliver of beach just north of Navy Pier.

You'll find more than half a dozen sailing vessels moored at the south dock, including a couple of dinner-cruise ships, the pristine white-masted tall ship Windy, and the 70-foot speedboats Seadog I, II, and III. In the summer months, water taxis speed between Navy Pier and other Chicago sights. Allow 1 hour.