Friends with Kids Coming for Week Visit Need Help :)

Updated on July 26, 2009
A.S. asks from Houston, TX
8 answers

I have one of my best friends coming out to visit me for a week! She has a 12yo, 6 yo, and 2 yo coming with her-they are making it their first family vacation--so the pressures on! I'm not a mom yet so I have NO idea what to do with that age range! LOL I was thinking Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum (this is a must since they are from South Dakota and REALLY want to see Sue the T-rex!), Six Flags, Hancock Tower and Legoland. I know this is going to be expensive and I hoping there are ways/tricks/coupons/ANYTHING to help us make this trip cheaper for her (she is a single mom who JUST graduated college). Is there any way to help cut down the costs for her that you guys can suggest? Or are there other things I haven't thought of that would be good things to do/see? Any help is appreciated!

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

The Chicago library has 2 for 1 coupons for Brookfield Zoo.

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

I would suggest checking out Oaklee's Guide http://www.oakleesguide.com/ There are lots of coupons for different things along with ideas for things to do. Plus some of the museums and attractions in the city have free days as well. I know the second Monday of every month is free basic admission to the Field Museum and every Thurdsay from 5-8 is free admission at the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. You may want to also look into Chicago's City Pass. You pay one price and get admission to several attractions around the city. http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html
Also, some libraries have passes for the zoo and different museums and such that you can check out.
Anither idea for a place to visit is Lincoln Park Zoo. It's free and a beautiful place.
Naperville has a list of the free days on their library website http://www.naperville-lib.org/otherWebSites/entertainment...
Well, good luck and have fun! And congrats on the baby on the way!

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

What about Millenium Park? That's free and kids always love the fountains and the bean. I second the Lincoln Park Zoo, free! Also, if you know anyone who lives in Chicago and has a library card, you can check out free passes for most museums and other places and it allows I think up to 8 people. If you're not from Chicago, you could even check with your own library, they may have them too. Navy Pier is a fun place to go too. You can just walk the pier and see the sights, not really anything to pay for. You can rent one of those 4 person bikes for $20 for an hour. It's fun and not something you'd do everyday. Whatever you do, have fun, there are so many fun things to do in the Chicagoland area and this is the best time to be here!

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

They sell tourist books that get you into everything. I think they're called City Passes. They aren't that expensive.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

Go to each place's website and check for coupons. We had my niece and nephew here and one day they were tired of site seeing and we just went bowling. Keep in mind that while you can go and go, it might be h*** o* your friend with the 3 kids to have a fast pace. Then again maybe they are up for it.

I would talk to your friend ahead of time to see what her expectations are, what she would like to do,etc. and that will help. Even talk about food, do they want to eat out lots or what.

I would make sure your friend understands how long it takes to get Chicago and how much everything costs. We had some houseguests and they were shocked at the cost and that ended up changing our plans. It would have worked better if that would have been figured out ahead of time.

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

You can check out passes from the library - any branch, to every major city attraction. The Shedd, the Field... anything. Someone suggested a City Pass - and I think that is a great idea if you guys want to go museum hopping. Remember that the 2 yo will probably need a nap, and may not do well with huge activities every day. But the Shedd, Field and Museum of Science and Industry are great. Remember that the Zoo is free - and the Nature Museum across the street is really cheap and awesome.
Good luck! And don't wear yourself out mama!

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K.Z.

answers from Chicago on

Brookfield Zoo has the dino section now. I would skip Legoland, not worth the cost.

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D.R.

answers from Chicago on

There is a beach called Fish Lake Beach in, I believe Volo, that has a Mom's Special - only $3 per person during the week - way cheaper than the weekends. Check your local Park District and other Park Districts - many have free events and places to see (I live in Schaumburg and you can go to the Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm for free). There are many outdoor concerts and "movies in the park" during the week and weekends. I was laid-off in June and am pregnant with #2 so I completely understand the need to keep costs to a minimum. Many of the Chicago museums have "free" days - basic admission is free, but I suggest taking the EL downtown since most of them have OUTRAGEOUS parking fees ($19/hr, etc). Check out the websites for each place you want to see and search for their special events/days to see which days are free. Hope this info helps!!!

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