The Big E Fair is a huge fair. It concompasses the whole length of Memorial Avenue. Good for kids of all ages!! My daughter loved the many amusement park rides she can ride on her own and my husband enjoyed all the different stands that provided different foods. Make sure you plan at least a day to be able to see everything. The little stalls that sell all different kinds of goods, housed in the big buildings are open year around but the rides are active only in the summer months. You definitely have to stop and sample the eclairs and cream puffs that are made special there!! They were so yummy!! One downfall, there is admission AND you have to purchase tickets to ride the rides and you also have to pay for parking. Also tickets are sold if you watch a performance there so nothing is free except for the daily and Mardis Gras parade.

This little taste of China in Chicago can be described as off the beaten path. It has a small number of shops and eateries that spans about 2 blocks. The eateries offer dim sum and other Chinese food and delicacies. But it's nothing compared to the great big Chinatowns in New York and San Francisco. Good place to visit.

This museum is a very small museum with very interesting information on American Indian history. I remember visiting with my freshman class in high school and listening to a nice discussion on the indigenous American Indians that dwelled in Manahattan when it was discovered. Definitely more for school age children 10 or older. They have great gifts in the gift shop but worth a little time exploring this museum.

I commuted from Staten Island to Manhattan for a good portion of my life using the Staten Island ferry. It's a FREE ride that gives you great views of lower Manhattan, Governor's Island and Brooklyn. It's a 30 minute ride each way and you have the option of sitting inside or outside as the weather permits. Just expect lots of commuters during the peak hours. Kids enjoy being able to see the sights and sometimes there are even performers on board.

My daughters loved seeing the killer whal peformance. We had a great time watching all the shows the sea animals performed and the rides that was available all around the park. There were penguin sanctuaries, polar bears, seals, sea lions and so many different wildlife to explore. Definitely worth the trip if your in the area, just make sure you slather on the sunscreen.