My wife has a conference/training in Chicago in a week and my daughter and I are going to tag along. Her hotel is on the Western side in Downers Grove, we will have our car and I am fine driving and parking in the city. Though I do hate traffic. Looking for ideas on what to do during the day with my daughter.

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C(-)ris
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Chicago has a very good children's museum. the aquarium might also be fun for that age.

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

Let her play with the bean for a few hours.

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Hurts like a bastid...

There's a "Lego Playland" kind of place in Schaumberg, IL (a suburb of Chicago) that's pretty neat. Not sure if a 3 y.o. would be too young or not.

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[www.zeemaps.com]

Take the Time Machine back to 1999 and check out the artsy fartsy Cows on Parade...





The actual three year old, and the three year old in everyone else will love 'em.
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My wife, who has been entertaining our grandkids (including a three-year-old girl) a lot suggests:

- Play dolls. You can pick up foldable doll-houses, even little farms, with little people and animals at ToysRUs (buy some new ones she hasn't seen before). Sit down and play with her, making up stories together, naming the people, etc. This can go on for hours, but it's important that you play with her.

- If they still make My Little Ponies, our granddaughter loves those (used to be our daughter's).

- Jumping on the hotel beds can be fun for a half an hour or two. Turn on the radio.

- Take her out for ice cream.

- Find a playground for small kids. If it's too cold or rainy, there are indoor playgrounds in restaurants, malls, or stand-alones.

- Bring washable markers and coloring books. Play-dough is also fun; bring stuff you can stick into it (bottle caps, toothpicks, whatnot).

/Mr Lynn

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On the river in Saxonville.

If you want to stay closer to Downers Grove, check these out:

DuPage Children's Museum: [dupagechildrens.org]

Morton Arboretum Children's Garden: [www.mortonarb.org]

Sarah

-go down to the shore and play in the sand
-grab some pizza somewhere
-garfield park conservatory - like a zoo, but with plants! They have some kid-geared stuff as well (or at least they did when I was there 3 summers ago)
-lincoln park zoo
-tons of parks around the city...check out a few event options for the days you're around: [www.chicagoparkdistrict.com]
-ride the EL...anywhere. It's a fun and cheap way to get around and see lots of city at one swoop.

what is your kid into? Food, dolls, big trucks, architecture? lots of options around for sure.

She likes pretty much anything at this age. We usually try to go to a sporting event when we travel, but I doubt Cubs tickets will be viable.

Would definitely love some food suggestions as we will have quite a few meals.

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C(-)ris
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Quote
graylocks
Chicago has a very good children's museum. the aquarium might also be fun for that age.

This. And lots of nice walks along millennium park if the weather's nice.

Across Columbus Drive from Millennium Park is a new park and playscape for kids called Maggie Daley Park. It's primarily designed for kids just a bit older than 3, but she'll be quite impressed by the size.

The Childrens Museum (at Navy Pier) has a new exhibit devoted to playing with Hot Wheels that's pretty fun. Field Museum and Museum of Science & Industry and even the Art Institute have special exhibits geared to small kids. But as pointed out, at that age just playing "restaurant" in the hotel breakfast room can occupy an hour.

You can ride a commuter train from DG into the city every hour or so all day; many more options at rush hour. Once here, you can ride the L. She can't look out the front window like the old days, but still can be fun riding the Brown Line along at second-story level and looking into people's porches and back yards. In the city, you can take a water taxi on the river for only $5, maybe ride to Chinatown and explore the unusual shops and have (Cantonese, so not spicy) dim sum.

My wife's suggestions point up this:

A three-year-old is not a seven-year-old, nor even a five-year-old. Their attention spans are short, and they are focused on the close and immediate, not so much on the larger world that interests adults or older kids. They will tire at long walks, long rides, and meaningless exhibits. Museums with special playrooms for very small children might entertain her, but not likely more than you and she making up stories about her little doll people and animals on the floor of your hotel room.

Of course, kids are different. A walk in a garden might interest her, but I can guarantee the attraction will be a small patch of dirt and rocks, or a tiny stream that ripples over the pebbles. As someone suggested, if the weather's warm, playing in the sand at the beach will doubtless appeal. Bring some plastic pails and little shovels.

/Mr Lynn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2016 10:15PM by mrlynn.

Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park

Harold Washington Library might come in handy on a rainy or cold afternoon instead of sitting in the hotel watching TV

+1 on children's museum, millennium pard and the aquarium

Meal-wise, and steak & taters-wise, vegans-be-damned-wise, get thee to the Chicago Chop House, not a particularly kid friendly menu, but incredible eats as long as the kid isn't into raising a ruckus.
Other-wise, what kind of foods are y'all into?
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If you go to the Morton Arboretum - and I recommend you do since it's pretty nearby and has a great children's section, and you like burgers and onion rings, check out Alfie's Inn in Glen Ellyn.

Pequod's has the best pizza in my opinion - it's deep dish but done in a way that the cheese overflows and carmelizes around the outside of the crust. Uniquely delicious.

I'd suggest the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry. The Art Institute is pretty great but less likely to appeal to one so young. Instead of the Sears Willis Tower for the highest height, check out the John Hancock's observatory or grab a $7 coke from their Signature Lounge (free to go to the lounge but you have to buy something and you can't wander around and just look out ALL the windows...) Plus the Hancock is next door to Water Tower Place which has the American Girl and Lego Stores.

For Childrens' Museums, just find ones that are closer to where you're staying. I'm not a fan of the concept, but the kids do seem to love 'em.

FWIW.. the most awesomely fun toys we ever got for our kids were popup play houses. They fold up (once you figure out the method), and are awesome activity centers.... her very own house ! There is something just fun about a child sized 'house'.

For what it's worth..drive into the city and freestyle it a bit..walk, eat, go to millennium park, she'll LOVE the Bean sculpture and she'll love the fountain even more..hope it's still turned on.

Walk Michigan avenue a bit..absolutely go to the lake..If you walk michigan avenue north from the Loop (or Millennium Park..it will terminate right at Oak Street beach..go out there..

As for the children's museum..this museum is is great..not so much a museum as it is a stimulating place for kids of all ages..including 3 year olds. I took my kids there all the time as they were growing up, they loved it.

I wouldn't worry to much about isolating "kid" stuff..just be with your kid in a great city..basically all you need to do..

The museum of science and industry doesn't offer a whole lot for 3 year olds, IMO..but, it's worth a drive to go down to Hyde Park to get a corned beef from Morry's Deli at 55th and Cornell..corned beef, little bit o mustard on rye..killer

Once you're here you'll be able to zone in on more 3 year old stuff.

Edit thought: ..go up to "the strip" at Division and Rush streets at about 12 midnight .you'll see a ton of 3 year olds doing lots of stupid @#$%&..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 08:56AM by Kraniac.

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Kraniac
The museum of science and industry doesn't offer a whole lot for 3 year olds

No, you're right, but it offers more now than it did when I was little. The model train setup is pretty awesome, and that will make an impression that lasts a lifetime. Likewise, with the Field Museum, the bug exhibits and all the interesting things to look at will likely infuse a permanent memory of some kind.

What might also make a lasting memory would be to ride a Metra train downtown for one of your day outings. Kids love trains! If you don't have access to them from around where you live, it could be really neat. Chicago has 4 train stations accommodating double that the number of train lines, and I'm not even counting the El. Too bad you're not in on a weekend, because their $8 weekend pass deal is a great way to get around the greater Chicagoland region.

Much closer to Downer's Grove and more interesting to a kid is Brookfield Zoo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 09:12AM by gabester.

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gabester


Much closer to Downer's Grove and more interesting to a kid is Brookfield Zoo.

THIS, is an excellent suggestion and will fill one of those days.

If the OP opts for being IN the city, Lincoln Park Zoo is also perfect and maybe less overwhelming than Brookfield..see the park, tour the Zoo, get some lunch..

This very cool museum is in Elmhurst--might be closer to Downers Grove:

[lizzadromuseum.org]

Never too young or old to go to the Museum of Science & Industry.

Naperville has I nice children's museum. Also check out the Moron Arboretum in Lisle if the weather is good.

JPK

And seriously. be careful if you go into the city. Chicago is a great city to visit, but crime is noticeably up.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2016 01:18PM by JPK.

Does the kid like pulled pork, smoked baked beans and killer side dishes?

Well, whatever, maybe you do, get yer azz down to Smoque for lunch or dinner.

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Hurts like a bastid...

Leave her with grandma and go alone with your wife. Win-win.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.