Neighborhood: South Loop

Where else in Chicago are you going to see fish that swim by and see you as dinner? Combine that with the fun dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and otters, on top of all those neat and bizarre fish from all over the world, and you will find yourselves at the Shedd Aquarium. It’s probably one of the best aquariums in the country, not to mention impressive, considering the nearest ocean is over a thousand miles away!

Besides what has already been mentioned, two other favorite spots include the delicate sea horses stingrays and the awe inspiring moon jellies. What I found to be particularly impressive is the tank with sturgeon, which are just now beginning to make a comeback to Lake Michigan, and watching scuba divers feed the animals is just plain cool, okay!

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines! Sunday mornings are probably the best bet if a weekday isn’t practical, since the tourists haven’t gotten into town yet.

Because the Shedd is undoubtedly the most visited museum in the city, the lines here can get worse than camping out for Cubs tickets, especially in summer. The place is also on the pricey side of things, but is understandable due to the sheer magnitude of running such a facility. The Surroundings restaurant, while absolutely delicious and remarkable, is also on the expensive side, but offers a wonderful view of the skyline that makes up for it, and yes, they take reservations. Of course, locals know parking at the museum campus is tricky at best, but I fail to see how $25 valet parking is justified. I say go in winter, get the pass, pack a lunch and ride the bus or trolley!

This is Chicago’s largest library, and as far as I know, the only one open on Sundays. There is an over abundance of information here for all ages. There is plenty for kids to do - this isn‘t just a place for college kids! And, because it’s located just south of the Loop, the Washington Library is a great place to plan a day around!

The first stop should be to visit the librarian, ensuring your library card is up to date, as are your children’s cards. They are only good for two years, so getting that taken care of ahead of time is a very good idea! Trust me, it will save a lot of headache if you do this before you find the books you like! What? You don’t have one? Then be sure to bring a form of identification along with a piece of mail that proves you are indeed a Chicago resident. Even if you don’t plan on checking out any books that day, accessing many of their computers requires one.

After that is all squared away, it’s time to check out all those wonderful tomes! The Children’s Library is located on the second floor, which of course is the focus point for moms and dads. There are more children’s books here than anyplace else in the entire city - take that, Barnes and Noble! They have their own check out desk and bathrooms, as well as seating for up to 150, with tables and chairs just the right size.

On top of that, there are plenty of story time sessions and events for kids that many families visit every week. Many home schooling families get a lot of use out of this library, making this department of the library very safe and conductive for learning at any time of the day. In fact, there are so many events centered around children that it can be hard to visit only once a week. Be sure to grab an event flyer when you visit, as there is always something special going on! Be sure to head upstairs, too! On the ninth floor is the winter garden, which is simply stunning! It’s over 100 feet tall beneath a huge sky light, housing beautiful trees, with even more tables for reading - a wonderful way to top off the visit!

If your only experience at the Field Museum is with your fourth grade class, then you and your family are sorely missing out! Besides getting up close and personal with Sue, the most complete T Rex skeleton in the world, there are so many wonderful exhibits to explore, with lots of hands on stuff to keep the kids busy for hours on end. Be sure to bring the stroller, the comfy shoes and pack a lunch, because this place is probably bigger than you remember!

Besides the dinosaurs, the ancient Egyptian exhibit, complete with a real wrapped mummy, is very, very cool, with lots of hands on features! The entrance to that exhibit And yes, the precious gem exhibit is a great way to get your bling on while the kids marvel at all the shiny things right there with you! Of course, be sure to check their web site beforehand, to see if the featured exhibit is something you and your family would be interested in.

As far as food goes, there’s pricey vending machine fare, a McDonald’s and a Corner Bakery, but personally, I suggest to brown bag it and eat by the free picnic tables down by the narwhal display, timed when the field trippers are absent. Somehow, it just takes me back to when I was a kid, with my can of fruit punch wrapped up in tin foil, trading off half of my PB & J for a snack pack. That, and it’s a guarantee the kids in tow will get some reasonably priced nutrition in there, while spending some good bonding and down time together. Ah yes, it’s nostalgia at its finest!

Since school children tend to monopolize the museum in the early fall and late spring, and the tourists come in droves in the summer, on holidays and during winter breaks, plan your day around them all. If at all possible, go on a week day or when they offer extended hours, so you all can truly enjoy your visit.

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

There is no better place to take the kids to see the stars in Chicago than the Adler Planetarium! Located within walking distance of the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and Soldier Field, the planetarium is the big domed building adjacent to Lake Michigan itself.

I personally find this place to be especially wonderful for families with school aged children, because there are plenty of hands on exhibits to check out. Plus, the special exhibits hosted in the Star Rider theatre have comfy chairs that fully recline, allowing folks to take in the virtual night sky - perfect for allowing everyone to wind down and take in the breath taking show! Finish off the day by checking out America’s Courtyard, which like Stonehenge in England, captures the changing seasons with a modern twist.

Another really cool exhibit is the Rainbow Lobby, best to check out when the sun is in the west. Filtered light through beveled glass creates little rainbows all over the walls. Of course, plenty of new exhibits are being developed all the time down in the Space Visualization Laboratory, so you’ll want to be sure to stop by for a visit!

Unlike most museums, the gift shops and cafe here are actually a little bit more than places to drop some cash and munch. The Galileo Cafe has a wonderful view of the city’s skyline and offers food a little out of the ordinary, and the Infinity Shop sells freeze dried ice cream, which is always a hit with the kids, on top of some really cool themed educational toys and gifts. Pricey, yes, but the proceeds go to support the planetarium, so the cost is justified, and perhaps can give you an idea of what to look out for on your next toy shopping excursion.

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!