Taking Toddler to Chicago

Navy Pier has a great children's museum in it, and you can take a cab there from the tran station. There's a lot of other shopping options in there and plenty of space for him to run around and burn some energy. A cab will cost you about $10 each way.

You could also go see all of the lights on State St or Michigan Ave, just bear in mind that it will be insanely crowded on the weekend.

Or, go down to the Museum and Science and Industry. My 2yo LOVES the trains there. He has actually sat and watched them for an hour. And there's a terrific hands-on kids section in there. It'll be busier on a weekend, but even when huge exhibits are hosted there, it's not unbearable (and I hate crowds of people). If you take a cab for this one, it's on south Lake Shore, so it's more likely to be about $20 in each direction.

We just took a trip to Chicago last weekend (visited a good friend of mine from college) with our 3 year old and had a blast. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (bonus: they have a huge model train set-up there right now as well as an exhibit on Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets), Shedd Aquarium, and the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. My DD had a great time at the Children's Museum so I would definitely not skip on that one. If you are just going for the day, you might want to stick with that, or the MSI (which is huge!).

Hi C.,

I'm not sure if you're familiar with the book called Polar Express. Well.... this story would tie in nicely with a train ride. Especially one that has Santa aboard! Check out this website for more info. They do this in many states now.

http://www.traintraveling.com/events/polar-express-trains...

My friend took her son when he was 4 yrs. old and he loved the ride with Santa. Okay... but you're asking for things to do once you get to Chicago.... Okay.... I would suggest taking him to Rainforest Cafe for lunch or dinner. They have volcano cakes that you can get and the waiters will come to the table with it and sing happy birthday. The decorations in the restaurant are totally geared for kids with animals chirping, sqwauking, singing, etc... and many large fish tanks. It's on Clark Street. Here's reviews on this website:
http://www.kidwinks.com/KidsRestaurants/3/RainforestCafe/...

And on this website, you'll find more ideas! I love kidwinks.com for finding places/ideas for kids.

Navy Pier is good, too. (especially in the warmer weather because you could go outside and ride a boat, ferris wheel, etc... but okay it's Fall now!) They have a fun maze and a really good hands on musuem for kids there. Do an online search for coupons for the fun maze. It's around $10 each but there are buy one - get one coupons out there on line sometimes. (But I think your son would be free because of his age. Yay!) http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/amaze_chi...

The Shedd Aquarium is nice too for 3 yr olds. Bring your stroller though because he may get tired since it's pretty big. There's a really cool toy store on one of the busy streets... that would be cool for him to pick out his birthday present in there. http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Enjoy your day in Chicago! I'm sure your son will have a fun time! I think one or two other places besides the train ride is plenty for you son for the day.

J.

My boys love the Shedd Aquarium. They also like to go up on the "Serious (Sears) Tower", now the Willis tower, but he may be a bit too young to truly appreciate it. At this time of the year, you could also go to Macy's on State Street to check out the big Christmas Tree and their beautiful Christmas Windows.

My 2 yr old loved the children's museum there off Navy Pier. It was big and interactive. He also enjoyed the Shedd Aquarium. It was pricey and crowded when we went but still a great experience.

I bet he would love train displays at the Museum of Science and Industry. It is a little further away than the other museums (Field, Shedd, and Adler Planetarium), but is usually a little less busy and less expensive. I have been to Shedd, and while it is really nice, the lines/crowds and expense to get in hardly make it worth it to me.
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/the-great-t...
Here is the link talking about the train exhibit. My kids also love climbing on the tractors in the farm exhibit, playing in the Idea Factory, watching the baby chicks in the hatchery (in the back of the genetics exhibit), walking around the real full-sized submarine, playing in the full sized airplane that is "flying" over the train display, their new "Science Storms" displays are pretty cool, the space exhibit is another favorite. You will never have time to see it all, there is so many cool things. Enjoy your trip!