Jennifer Lambert

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You are here: Home / Travel / USA / Chicago with Kids

Chicago with Kids

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October 14, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 26 Comments

We spent a long weekend in Chicago in April 2018. It’s one of my favorite cities.

The kids have never been to Chicago. Aaron grew up about an hour south of there and Liz and I have been twice. We took Liz to the Museum of Science and Industry and saw Navy Pier years ago. Somehow, we never seem to be able to fit in the Field Museum on our trips!

The Weber Grill is super fun, but we didn’t manage it this trip. We’ve eaten at the original Giordano’s. There are so many great restaurants!

We found an apartment in a townhouse (with a hot tub!) near Guaranteed Rate Field. It is no longer available as a rental but that’s a nice area if you don’t want to drive downtown. We got to park inside the garage so that was nice.

We were close to the train station, just a few blocks walk. There was a huge Mariano’s store, a Kroger affiliate just down the street and plenty of nearby restaurants.

We ate breakfast in our townhouse, then set off to explore each day.

We wound down in our hot tub each evening.

Day 1: Chinatown

We did drive a couple train stations away to Chinatown and parked near the Nine Dragons Gate.

We walked around and bought some special tea to take home and looked in the shop windows.

Fun zodiac animals in a central square

We had the most amazing Mandarin Chinese food I’ve ever eaten at Potsticker House.

Day 2: Cubs Game

We took the train to Wrigley Field.

We got there early to get some cool Cubs gear.

The kids got certificates for their first Cubs game!

The kids watched the warm-up. It was nice in the sun.

It was free blanket day and I am sure glad because it was freezing! I always underestimate the cold wind.

CUBS WIN!

We ate local Chicago pizza for dinner near our apartment at Ricobene’s. It was great and easy for families. They had delicious arancini! 

Day 3: Art Institute

We took the train downtown and viewed the street art down to the Art Institute.

I love, love, love the street art in Chicago.

This vermilion steel 50-ton, 53-feet tall flamingo by Alexander Calder:

The Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall is 70 feet long, 14 feet high, 10 feet wide.

The Picasso is 50 feet tall and weighs 162 short tons.

We Will by Richard Hunt is a welded stainless steel sculpture – 35’H x 8’W x 8’D

Bronze Cow Statue – 57 inches high, 92 inches long.

Depicted as reflections in the eyes of the cow are two famous Chicago landmarks, the “Chicago Picasso” sculpture and the Historic Water Tower.

The plaque reads ….
In 1999 a herd of fiberglass cows united citizens, visitors, artists and businesses through a unique community-based public art event. This bronze cow is a gift to all Chicagoans in gratitude for the support of the cows and other art in public places.
A gift to the city of Chicago from the Hanig family and anonymous donors.
November 2001.
Bronze Cow cast at Wagner Foundry, Inc., Chicago, IL. 

The Cloud Gate sculpture is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet and weighs 110 short tons.

At the Art Institute, the North Lion is “On the Prowl” by Edward Kemeys. The South Lion is “stands in an attitude of defiance.”

We ate a lovely lunch at Terzo Piano. I think it’s only for private events now.

The Art Institute is open daily 10:30–5:00 and Thursdays until 8:00. Adults $25. Illinois residents on Thursdays, military members, Chicago children under 18, all children under 13 are FREE.

We saw so many favorites we have studied in our homeschool!

Then we walked to look at some other fun sites.

Lucent is a shining 13-foot sculpture created by English artist Wolfgang Buttress, with the help of astrophysicist, Dr. Daniel Bayliss, made of 3,115 lights, the number of visible stars in the Northern Hemisphere. It is amplified even more against a mirrored ceiling above and a reflecting pool below.  It hangs in the lobby of the John Hancock Building.  

We trekked down to the American Girl store at Water Tower Place.

We had dinner at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch. It’s super fun and has a little museum inside.

Day 4: Shedd Aquarium

We saw more lovely street art on the way to the Shedd Aquarium.

Reproduced from the original historic Metro entrances of Paris, designed by Hector Guimard:

Bird Boy Mural

Agora is designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, on the southwest side of Grant Park, and is made up of 106 9-foot headless and armless torsos fabricated from cast iron.

Shedd Aquarium was the first inland aquarium with permanent saltwater exhibits as well as freshwater habitats.  It opened on May 30, 1930.

Regular hours
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Extended summer hours (June 15-Aug. 18, 2019)
All days: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of July 27

General admission: Adult $39.95*, child (3-11) $29.95*
Chicago residents: Adult $19.95*, child (3-11) $14.95*

Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive FREE general admission with proper ID.

Blue Star Families Program
Memorial Day through Labor Day, active-duty U.S. military and up to five family members receive free general admission to Shedd. Proper ID is required.

We love aquariums and try to visit them in every city we travel. Shedd is exceptional.

We loved the Belugas, Aquatic Presentation, and all 8 around the world exhibits. We’re so pleased with how much conservation they support.

Shedd is a full day of fun!

We had dinner at Santorini. It is now permanently closed and I am so sad.

We stopped by one last monument before heading home the next morning, the old stockyard gate:

There’s never enough time to see everything, but I think we used our time well and saw so much!

What’s your favorite site in Chicago?

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Filed Under: USA Tagged With: art, Chicago, familytravel, travel

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Comments

  1. Mother of 3 says

    October 28, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    I have never been to Chicago but it looks like you all had a wonderful time!

    Reply
  2. Fi Anderson says

    October 28, 2019 at 10:27 pm

    This post was so much fun to read. Sounds like you all had an amazing time and will have lots of fun memories to look back on! #InspireMeLink

    Reply
  3. Enda Sheppard says

    October 29, 2019 at 11:17 am

    What a brilliant place to visit, and you obviously made the most of it. My favourite is the Northern Hemisphere stars sculpture: stunning! #TwinklyTuesday

    Reply
  4. Patsy Burnette says

    October 29, 2019 at 11:23 am

    I love Chicago, Jennifer! Such a beautiful city—especially down by the waterfront. I stayed there last summer for 4 days, kind of sequestered in the Westin while I launched this blog. Wonderful memories! Ate 3 meals a day at Harry Caray’s. LOVELY!

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

    Reply
  5. Angie says

    October 29, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    We live in a near southeast suburb of Chicago. Even with the city so close it is an adventure to trek downtown. We have many great family memories from our visits.

    Reply
  6. Jeanne says

    October 29, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    I’ve been to Chicago often but you have shown me new sculptures and places to see!

    Reply
  7. Shelley says

    October 30, 2019 at 6:01 am

    I have never been to Chicago but would love to visit one day. I like the idea of a hot tub at your accommodation :) and the Cubs Game! #TwinklyTuesday

    Reply
  8. Kristie says

    October 30, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    My husband and I just went to Chicago. I loved the broadway play, “Hamilton,” and of course, Michigan Avenue. I think my favorite thing was all the walking we did.

    Reply
  9. mireille says

    October 31, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    We’ve never been to Chicago but it looks like a city we would love.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    Reply
  10. Rebecca Hastings says

    November 1, 2019 at 10:45 am

    I’ve never been to Chicago, but it looks like a fun trip!

    Reply
  11. Donna Reidland says

    November 1, 2019 at 11:10 am

    Looks like a very fun trip!

    Reply
  12. Melissa says

    November 1, 2019 at 11:37 am

    Thank you so much for sharing all of these! I’ve only been to Chicago twice – and only once with my kids for the Chicago Marathon in 2017, but we definitely hope to go again. We’ll put these places in our back pocket for next time!

    Reply
  13. Confessions of a New Mummy says

    November 4, 2019 at 7:48 am

    Looks like a great trip! I love to see street art, I wish we had some around us. Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday

    Reply
  14. Mary Hill says

    November 4, 2019 at 10:21 am

    It looks you guys had a great time. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLInkup this past week.

    Reply
  15. Bob says

    June 8, 2022 at 1:12 am

    Hope you enjoy the trip ! Chicago is a beautiful city, I think you have a very good time with your kids !

    Reply
  16. Eileen in Chicago says

    June 14, 2022 at 5:48 am

    I haven’t been to Chicago before but seems like you had a great trip! Glad you enjoyed!

    Reply
  17. John in Phoenix says

    June 14, 2022 at 7:12 am

    There is something about Chicago that keeps calling me back, hopefully, next year this time my kid will be big enough to travel. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  18. Christy says

    June 29, 2022 at 7:24 am

    Very cute pictures! Sounds like you enjoyed the trip! I’ve only been to Chicago once .

    Reply
  19. Steve says

    July 4, 2022 at 8:54 am

    I remember the first time I have been to Chicago, I would love to go there with my kids one day, thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  20. Jade says

    July 14, 2022 at 2:20 am

    Chicago seems like a very good place to visit! Can’t wait to visit in the future!

    Reply
  21. Natasha says

    August 18, 2022 at 7:01 am

    OMG haven’t been to Chicago before and really wanna visit. Maybe I’ll go during winter!

    Reply
  22. Lexi says

    August 19, 2022 at 2:50 am

    Chicago is a great place. Went there a few time and also visited the Bean!

    Reply
  23. Christine says

    August 23, 2022 at 10:14 am

    I would love to visit the wind city with my kids, must be so nice

    Reply
  24. Bruce says

    August 30, 2022 at 2:14 am

    I was 16 when I visited Chicago for the first time. There is something about that city that calls me. I hope my kids will love it the same.

    Reply
  25. Christine says

    November 29, 2022 at 1:18 am

    Chicago looks so fun! I will definitely pay a visit! Do you have any food recommendation for the Wind City?

    Reply
  26. Antoine Travel says

    February 6, 2023 at 9:47 pm

    Great article, you covered all the details of your trip to Chicago last April. You included all the different things you did during your stay and gave a good description of each place. I particularly liked your description of the street art and sculptures, it was informative and made me feel like I was there with you. I also appreciated the practical information such as admission fees and hours of operation at the different places you visited. Your love for the city and its attractions shines through the article. Overall, a wonderful read!

    Reply
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