Hi all,

I'm moving to Chicago later this month, and during my second week there I'll be babysitting for for a few days.

So I'm looking for suggestions of good things to do. I've googled the big stuff - Children's museum, Navy Pier, etc, but I'm wondering if there are other activities and sights for children that locals would suggest?

This will be at the beginning of December. I'm assuming (hoping) there will be holiday displays and activities ? Are there certain stores that are known for holiday decorations? (asked with the requesite moment of silence for Marshall Fields, of course).

The child I'm minding is about two years old - so any activities will have to be suitable for a short attention span.

Thanks in advance !

Welcome to Chicago. There is an awful lot to do here, and there are many notable Christmas displays in December. For example:
- The official City of Chicago tree is in Daley Plaza, along with Santa Claus and a German market.
- Michigan Ave also will be well lit.
- Lincoln Park Zoo has lights after dark, and the adjacent conservatory has a holiday flower & train show.

Macy's has decorated their windows, keeping with Marshall Field's holiday tradition. This year's theme is Mary Poppins. There are also indoor decorations - - ask to be directed to the Walnut Room tree.

There is a holiday-themed model train exhibit in the John Hancock Building.

I'm pretty sure they have a "Christmas Around the World" exhibit every year at the Museum of Science and Industry.

For a warmer activity, consider the holiday flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Walking Michigan Avenue is always great, especially now as Christmas approaches, it's also very crowded. I note this not to deter you, as it should be your primary activity (IMO), but you'll want to keep this in mind when you select a child-stroller for your mission.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far - these all sound great.

Looks like it will be a busy weekend afterall!

Here's another one I saw advertised this evening (Cloud Gate is the silver metallic 'bean' in Millenium Park):

Experience Chicago�s newest holiday tradition�

Caroling at Cloud Gate

On Friday Nights throughout teh holiday season, Millennium Park will be home to the city's newest holiday tradition - Caroling at Cloud Gate, the city's newest icon, to hear the beautiful voices of a variety of choral groups, followed by a holiday sing-along.

Caroling at Cloud Gate runs Fridays from November 24 through December 22. The choral performances begin at 6pm; the sing-along begins at 6:30pm.

Each evening, both the choristers and those singing along will be invited to hold holiday candles. The reflections of the candles will twinkle in the stainless steel of Cloud Gate, creating a magical holiday scene in the center of the city.

Complimentary coffee and hot apple cider, provided by Caribou Coffee, will be avaliable each evening.

After Caroling, guests are encouraged to skate at Millennium Park's McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, one of the most popular winter destinations in the city.

friday night fireworks over Navy Pier if you can get the little one to stay up late.

what about the aquarium? Great dolphin show that holds kids interest, and it's inside!!

This is one of my wife's favorite museums in the city for kids (and she worked in a well known Chicago museum for 5 years). It is located inside the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville: 5211 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 728-8111

"The Children's Museum of Immigration is an interactive, hands-on museum for children ages 3-12. The museum has a Swedish focus; however, the story of Swedish immigration parallels that of many other groups who left the old world behind and forged new lives in America.

The new facility on the third floor of the Swedish American Museum Center offers children the chance to experience the immigration phenomenon firsthand. They will engage in a myriad of historical tasks in a century-old Swedish farmhouse, or stuga, replicated in authentic detail.

A 20-foot immigrant steamer will take them to America, where they will learn about life in a pioneer log cabin. A Viking ship and a refugees' raft enhance the immigration story, past and present."

New York Times article "Travel Guide: Chicago for Kids"

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