minnemom's Passport
 | Been to 212 Attractions |
 | 199 Reviews |
 | 169 First to Review |
 | 81 Photos |
 | 167 Helpful Votes |
Compliments
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We have four children, and have been traveling with them since they were born. We take day-trip "adventures" to both well-known and out-of-the-way places, and we're trying to see as much as the USA as we can.
We love the back roads and things off the beaten path.
Our Family's Travel Personality
curious
We Just Got Back From
a 12-day, 3850-mile roadtrip to San Antonio and environs, which included outrunning a major Midwest snowstorm.
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Chicago--there's so much to do, and it's within a day's drive
A Place We'd Love To Visit
the Grand Canyon
Favorite Vacation Memory
Sitting on a beautiful sandy beach on a warm summer day . . . at Grand Beach, an hour north of Winnipeg, Manitoba!
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Four of the six of us getting sick, in a motel room, on Christmas Eve.
Websites I Like:
Fun in Chicago with Young Kids
Our favorites when vacationing to Chicago with kids ages 1-6.
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
The Idea Factory is fun for young kids, but there's a lot more to see in the museum as well.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Fun for kids and adults"
We've been here several times, and still haven't seen it all. The kids always beg to start at The Idea Factory, and then move on to Farm Tech and the Great Train Story and the rest of the exhibits. Even the exhibits my husband loves, like the U-505, have kid-friendly things in them. If you go, plan to spend the whole day, or until the kids fall asleep. 
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
Even the McDonald's in the museum is huge and dinosaur-themed.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Fossils in the Floor and More"
The Field Museum is huge! Sue, the big dinosaur, is one of the main attractions, but my kids loved making a giant world map with volunteers, finding fossils in the floor, and (of course) eating at the dinosaur-themed McDonald's on the premises. Story times and other family programs are offered frequently.
2430 N Cannon Dr
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
The special toddler area and butterfly garden will be hits with little ones.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Hands-on Nature"
This is a kid-friendly museum from top to bottom. Kids can play at the water tables, spend time with the butterflies, or watch the snakes and other creatures. There's even a special preschool room with special tot-friendly activities. This is an interesting and family-friendly museum.
111 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
Be sure to visit the Kraft Education Center to help kids enjoy the art.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Family-Friendly Art"
The first stop for families at the Art Institute should be the Kraft Education Center downstairs. It offers hands-on activities and art experiences, and helps teach kids about some of the artwork found in the museum. Starting here will make the rest of the museum visit more interesting for kids.
1601 N Clark St
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
The Sensing Chicago is great for kids (and moms and dads too).
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Good family fun!"
The "Sensing Chicago" exhibit is definitely the family highlight. Whether making Mom into a hotdog, riding a big old-fashioned bike, spending time at the baseball stadium, or sending your own Chicago postcard, this place is great! Other areas of the museum have hands-on activities as well; my kids loved the trolley and train.
301 N Washington St
Naperville, Illinois
Comment:
A fun children's museum with special toddler areas in the exhibit areas.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Great children's museum"
This is a fun children's museum with plenty of staff on hand to assist visitors. The exhibits are organized into neighborhoods that flow from one to another, rather than in separate rooms. Each neighborhood has a toddler-friendly area so you can watch the older kids while the little ones play with age-appropriate things. The museum is sunny and bright with a good variety of exhibits.
2001 N Clark St
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
Free zoo and children's zoo.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Free Zoo"
The Lincoln Park Zoo is free, so I shouldn't be complaining, but on the warm day when we were there, most of the animals were in hiding. We did enjoy seeing a lion and a few other animals, and riding on the carousel. There's also a petting zoo, and the surrounding Lincoln Park has many other activities to offer.
3800 York Rd
Oak Brook, Illinois
Comment:
Learn about milling and the Underground Railroad at this working gristmill.
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Hands-on History"
This stop on the Underground Railroad holds interest for adults, but their kids' activities are also excellent. On the day we were there, they had a scavenger hunt, and our son got to help turn the wheel to grind the grain. After visiting, take time to relax along the creek or in the adjacent park. This is one of Chicago's hidden treasures.
337 E. Randolph St.
Grant Park Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
Kids will love this beautiful fountain.
201 E Randolph St
Chicago, Illinois
Comment:
The changing faces in the fountains are great fun to watch.
233 S Wacker Dr # 3530
Chicago, Illinois
reviewed on: March 18 2009
"Sky-high View of Chicago"
On a clear day, it seems that you can see forever from the Skydeck. If the kids get tired of looking out the windows, they can visit the "Knee-High Chicago" area on the interior walls. I'd give this five stars, but it's expensive, and some kids may not like sitting through the requisite movie before going up in the elevators to see the view.
