Just a quick check-in with some pictures from last weekend in Chicago. I presented at a P-12 Engineering Education conference in Chicago during the last half of the week at the Museum of Science and Industry. What a great location! I love this museum but hadn’t been in probably 5 years, since the ‘Bodies’ exhibit was there.
(Can’t beat a run by the lake pre-conference!)
Matt brought the kids up on Saturday and we spent the rest of the weekend exploring. We stayed just south of the river and rented this beauty. Jack and Audrey love side-by-side doubles, and Jack begged us to keep it at the end of the trip. We had originally planned on traveling on bike but the forecast for rain was a bit iffy. Next time (and for a longer weekend) we will have to bring the Orange Krusher (cargo bike) along.
After checking into our hotel we spent a good bit of time playing in Maggie Daley Park just outside Millenium Park steps away from the lakeshore. I saw the huge climbing structures and play garden on a run earlier in the week and knew it would be a hit with the kids. There are lots of separate play areas with signs suggesting which age groups are most appropriate in each area. There is a huge ship, tri-level climbing tower, big slides built into the side of a hill, and so much more. Kids were everywhere! It will be a “must” next time we’re back
Then we took a walk to meet Aunt Tina and Uncle Brandon for dinner. They were on their way back from a wedding and on their way home to California. We met at the Rainforest Café. Maybe not the food that Chicago is known for, but decent kid options and good entertainment.
After dinner we headed to Navy Pier to ride the newly renovated Ferris Wheel. We all loved it, and Aunt Tina got some good pictures of everyone enjoying the views. We hit up the carousel and then started more walking (with our 31-week pregnant trooper Auntie). (and unpictured Ghiradelli ice cream. Yum!) We kept the kids up late and they crashed hard when we finally hit the room.
The next day, we were woken by the alarm at 6. I am guessing Jack and Audrey were playing with buttons and accidentally set it. Yawn! But it meant that we got a head start on breakfast, checking out of the room, and off on another walk along the lakeshore. This time our destination with the Field Museum. Another favorite of mine! Matt and I hadn’t been for over 4 years and were really looking forward to sharing the adventure with the kids. They both are very interested in dinosaurs so Sue, the T-rex, was an immediate hit as was the flying pterodactyl. We checked out the rest of Dinosaur Hall for the majority of our time there. Lots of questions on whether these were “real” dinosaurs, where was their skin, etc. and some speculation on whom would be eaten first in our family if dinos attacked. With limited time before lunch we decided to end with the Inside Ancient Egypt exhibit to check out the mummies. Next time we will have to plan on the Family Playlab on the ground level. Looks like some great activities for little kids.
After a quick lunch at the museum we took a water taxi back to Navy Pier and walked our stroller back to the rental. Then we lugged two tired kids back to our hotel and car. Audrey was asleep pretty soon after hitting the car and Jack gave his best effort at recapping the trip with us before he fell asleep too. With a quick overnight, I loved what we were able to fit in. As the kids get older, these trips are getting more interesting and maybe just a little easier.
Do you visit any of the museums in Chicago? What’s your favorite?