Taking the kids to Chicago for 4 days next week. First time taking them there for anything other than a Sox game. When I lived there, my main criteria for picking restaurants was the quality of margaritas and/or beer. Probably need to adjust that for this trip.

 

Those with kids who live in or have traveled to Chicago, what are some good restaurant suggestions? Our hotel is in Schiller Park so either in the city or the near W/NW suburbs is our target area.

 

Also, we already have the City Passes that cover the Skydeck and all the museums. Planning on LP Zoo as well. Any other must-visit places for the kids (ages 7 & 5)?

 

PS: Is it bad of me to want the Cubs to lose tonight so the city is less crowded next week?

Edited October 7, 201510 yr by HickoryHuskers

Rainforest Cafe is always a good back pocket place to go if you cant find anything else convenient

How old are the kids?

Most restaurants can be kid friendly, just go early for dinner. (4-5ish)

How old are the kids?

 

7 and 5.

There is a cool train-themed diner in forest park (they deliver food on a train) but I do not believe they serve alcohol.

Most restaurants can be kid friendly, just go early for dinner. (4-5ish)

Something Ive found out as part of parenthood. There is an entirely different crowd in a bar or restaurant from 4-6 PM

Taking the kids to Chicago for 4 days next week. First time taking them there for anything other than a Sox game. When I lived there, my main criteria for picking restaurants was the quality of margaritas and/or beer. Probably need to adjust that for this trip.

 

Those with kids who live in or have traveled to Chicago, what are some good restaurant suggestions? Our hotel is in Schiller Park so either in the city or the near W/NW suburbs is our target area.

 

Also, we already have the City Passes that cover the Skydeck and all the museums. Planning on LP Zoo as well. Any other must-visit places for the kids (ages 7 & 5)?

 

PS: Is it bad of me to want the Cubs to lose tonight so the city is less crowded next week?

 

depending on where you live and the quality of the cuisine...

 

pizza ... i am so much of a fan of home runn inn. but the deep dish pizza people love.

 

lp zoo is great.... they them the history of the zoo and how old it is.

 

the chi filed museum is the best. 1 day is not enuf..... oh btw, the art museum is great, but for children???

 

on canal st, if you are driving. some of the best shrimp. go in lunch time.

 

food almost any in chi is the best,. you can't go wrong there.

depending on where you live and the quality of the cuisine...

 

pizza ... i am so much of a fan of home runn inn. but the deep dish pizza people love.

 

lp zoo is great.... they them the history of the zoo and how old it is.

 

the chi filed museum is the best. 1 day is not enuf..... oh btw, the art museum is great, but for children???

 

on canal st, if you are driving. some of the best shrimp. go in lunch time.

 

food almost any in chi is the best,. you can't go wrong there.

 

They CityPass included a choice between the art institute and the planetarium, so we are going to do the latter.

 

One of the kids doesn't eat pizza so we may not do a pizza place.

this is a 3rd must....

 

you got to introduce your kids to the atmosphere of the chi black hawk game.... you got to get there at least 1/2 hour early to find your seat and getting the refreshment.

 

the open of the game is a must for anyone.

 

the loudest in all of sports, or so i remember ...

There is a cool train-themed diner in forest park (they deliver food on a train) but I do not believe they serve alcohol.

 

I just looked this up and it is 3 blocks from where I used to live. Is this place new since 2005? I certainly don't remember it.

 

It does look like a place the kids will love, though.

this is a 3rd must....

 

you got to introduce your kids to the atmosphere of the chi black hawk game.... you got to get there at least 1/2 hour early to find your seat and getting the refreshment.

 

the open of the game is a must for anyone.

 

the loudest in all of sports, or so i remember ...

 

I've been to Hawks games before, the noise would have my 5 year old crying before the national anthem is over.

They CityPass included a choice between the art institute and the planetarium, so we are going to do the latter.

 

One of the kids doesn't eat pizza so we may not do a pizza place.

 

bold most definitely ....

 

the pizza places have a menu to order off the menu italian food.

 

i haven't been there is over 12 yrs... but any hot dog or polish sausage .... they have it the best.

I've been to Hawks games before, the noise would have my 5 year old crying before the national anthem is over.

 

sorry. i meant no offense. yeah 5 yrs old.... yeah i am with you. too young to enjoy it.

 

 

7 and 5.

Mine are 6 and 3. I've learned that nearly any place that serves food (so in other words, everywhere but dive bars really) can be good for kids.

 

There are kid-oriented places like Rainforest Cafe, and they do have a bar but choices are somewhat limited. Those can be fun to sprinkle in, but that's a place that is on the pricier side (as family chain restaurants go) and the food is pretty meh. You pay in part for the experience.

 

i haven't been there is over 12 yrs... but any hot dog or polish sausage .... they have it the best.

Yes. There's a Superdawg in that area, kids should enjoy the drive-in factor and the big plastic Superdawg on the roof.

I just looked this up and it is 3 blocks from where I used to live. Is this place new since 2005? I certainly don't remember it.

 

It does look like a place the kids will love, though.

 

If that is 2Toots I have been there before. Cool place for the kids for sure. They have a decent burger and there are plenty of places nearby where you can stop and have a quick beer while the kids and wife are looking in stores.

I just looked this up and it is 3 blocks from where I used to live. Is this place new since 2005? I certainly don't remember it.

 

It does look like a place the kids will love, though.

My son adores that place, and kids are expected so nobody looks at you like an asshole like when I bring my kid to a bar.

I say the Woodfield mall area is a great place to bring the kids. Plenty of stores and restaurants to choose from. You have Legoland (which I am not a huge fan of but the kids like it) and a cool video gaming place right next to that.

 

But I am sure your kids are probably going to want to be in the Chicago downtown area since they have never been there before.

 

 

If that is 2Toots I have been there before. Cool place for the kids for sure. They have a decent burger and there are plenty of places nearby where you can stop and have a quick beer while the kids and wife are looking in stores.

The Junction Diner is what I was talking about

 

http://www.thejunctiondiner.com/

The Junction Diner is what I was talking about

 

http://www.thejunctiondiner.com/

 

Hm, I will have to take my kids here.

Hm, I will have to take my kids here.

 

There is a similar one in Bartlett and Glen Ellyn called 2 Toots

 

http://2toots.com/

 

food comes out on a track too

There is a similar one in Bartlett and Glen Ellyn called 2 Toots

 

http://2toots.com/

 

food comes out on a track too

I think there is one like that in southern DG too.

 

The Junction DOES have beer, double checked.

I say the Woodfield mall area is a great place to bring the kids. Plenty of stores and restaurants to choose from. You have Legoland (which I am not a huge fan of but the kids like it) and a cool video gaming place right next to that.

 

But I am sure your kids are probably going to want to be in the Chicago downtown area since they have never been there before.

 

All the museums close at 5 so Woodfield Mall is an option for one evening. Yeah, they would like Legoland. Not sure I can afford to let my wife in that mall though.

All the museums close at 5 so Woodfield Mall is an option for one evening. Yeah, they would like Legoland. Not sure I can afford to let my wife in that mall though.

If its nice outside I recommend taking your kids to Cantigny park where they have old tanks and whatnot for kids to climb on. My nephews love that place.