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Kids' Favorites Tour
Home » Chicago » Chicago: 1-2 Day Itineraries » Kids' Favorites TourChicago has a lot to offer for children of all ages. This itinerary focuses on the activities with the greatest kid-appeal. Since parking and walking can both be exhausting in Chicago, El travel is recommended.
Day One: Start in the north of Chicago at Lincoln Park, and visit the zoo. Don't miss the Farm-in-the-Zoo, where city children can get up close and personal with some non-exotic animals (which may turn out to be their favorites). Have lunch at Demon Dogs, a hotdog stand conveniently located at the Fullerton El station, and take the Brown line south to Grand. Spend the afternoon at the Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier. Explore the Pier and check out the view of the city from the 15-story Ferris wheel. After dinner at one of the many nearby kid-friendly restaurants, go to an IMAX movie -- or, if you have younger children, call it a night!
Day Two: Choose either the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, or the Museum of Science and Industry. Bring backpacks with towels and a picnic lunch (you can check these at the museums), and head out to the 12th Street Beach (from the Museum Campus) or the 57th Street Beach (from the Museum of Science and Industry) to splash around in Lake Michigan afterwards. Go back to your hotel and change, and then -- if you're still going strong, both parents and children -- visit Disney Quest, a condensed, indoor Disney experience just a block off the Magnificent Mile. Here you'll find 250 rides and other activities for children, including laser sword battles, a virtual whitewater cruise, and so much more. (Disney Quest is open until 7:00 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and 10:00 PM Thursday through Saturday.) Pizzeria Uno is just two blocks away, so go there to rest your feet and enjoy a delicious deep dish pizza.
Resources:
Baty, Chris. Lonely Planet City Guide to Chicago, third edition. Oakland, California: Lonely Planet, 2004.
Given, Tom. Chicago -- Condensed. Oakland, California: Lonely Planet, 2001.
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