I'll be with my son (8) in chicago in 2 weekends.

What's fun for us to do?

Hi, we're planning a trip to Chicago as well. Here are a few of the
things we've thought of:

Shedd Aquarium
Lincoln Park Zoo
Navy Pier - Children's Museum
The Field Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Adler Planetarium

Shopping at:
Children in Paradise Books - 909 N. Rush
Lego - Michigan Avenue

Breakfasts at:
Original Pancake House in the Gold Coast (cash only)
Toast 228 W. Chicago Ave
Nookies in Lincoln Park
Wishbone
Ann Sather - Swedish

Lunch at:
Foodlife in Water Tower Place
Indian food on Devon Avenue

Dinner at:
Fogo de Chao - Brazilian (for the vast variety and spectacle of a churrascaria)

The book "Secret Chicago" likes:
Sears Tower
Museum of Science and Industry
Rock & Roll McDonald's - 600 North Clark
Rainforest Cafe - 605 North Clark 

Child Magazine in the May 2004 issue lists the following 10 things to do:

1. Tour the city on the el Brown line
2. Navy Pier - including the Shakespeare theater and buying a funnel cake
3. Bike/walk/skate the lakefront
4. Lincoln Park Zoo - the new Africa exhibit, and lunch at the North Park cafe
5. The Art Institute of Chicago weekend Family Workshop
6. Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase, free for kids at Sunday Matinees
7. Shedd Aquarium with the Wild Reef shark exhibit (avoid the lines
and get tix over the net at shedd.org)
8. The Cubs at Wrigley Field
9. Michigan Avenue - Marshall Field's, American Girl Place, Garrett
Popcorn Shop and the City of Chicago store
10. Deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's, Lou Mitchell's for breakfast and
Scoozi for Italian.

Check out the April 2004 edition of Chicago Magazine which has a cover
story on Chicago favorites for Kids. Highlights include:

Ambria - where kids can make their own desserts
The Old Town School of Folk Music
Chicago Botanic Garden
Brookfield Zoo
But there's lots more in the article, particularly shopping and
activities in the suburbs (like the Jelly Belly factory)

The December 2003 issue on 101 things to do in Chicago is good for
less touristy ideas for everyone.

Frommer's "Chicago with Kids" is great! There are lots of lists,
helpful tips and ideas. I also liked the book "Access Chicago".  Have
a wonderful trip!

Carl

Uno's, the birthplace of deep dish pizza, is the best place to get some.

Pizzeria Uno
29 East Ohio
Chicago, IL 60611 
312-321-1000
312-280-5125 (FAX)
 
Pizzeria Due
619 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-943-2400
312-943-1995 (FAX)

Hi r2,

I lived in Chicago and Chicagoland for over 13 years.  It's an
exciting city with lots to do.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago Architecture Foundation's Riverboat Cruise, as it gives a
spectacular overview of the city's history and architecture - while
taking you up and down the Chicago river and out onto Lake Michigan.
It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.

Top of the Sears Tower

Best regards,
tlspiegel

The last time I was in Chicago, I jumped into a taxi and he took me
all over town ... Everywhere except where I wanted to go.

It's certainly one way to see Chicago but expensive.

Be warned!