OT: Visiting from AZ need family activity ideas

I'm coming in for the weekend to see my kids and hubby.
I'm looking for some fun but cheap family things to do with them.
So what's there to do in Chicago. We've thought about Navy Pier but we did that a couple of years ago.
The zoo is closed so what else is there to do.
We are coming from the Joliet/ Naperville area and don't want to drive to far.

Any advise at what websites to check out or things to do will be appreciated.

Thank you!

Hi there!

Here are some web sites that I use when I am looking for something to do in the city:

http://www.meetinchicago.com/attractions/Pages/default.aspx
Close to the bottom, it has a link entitled, "Some of the best things in Chicago are Free!"

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalChannelAc tion.do?topChannelName=Exploring&Failed_Reason=Invalid+times tamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&com.broadvision.session.new= Yes&Failed_Page=%2fwebportal%2fportalChannelAction.do

This one is the City of Chicago.

Which zoo is closed?  Lincoln Park is free and is a pretty big zoo.  That is the one we always see when we go into the city.

I hope these help!  Have a great time!

If you're going to be in the Naperville/ Joliet area you can take the train into Chicago (Union Station).  Its relatively cheap and you don't have to drive.  Depending on how old your kids are they may find the train a fun ride.  Have a list of all of the items you would like to do like: Shedd Aquarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, The Planetarium, Chicago Art Mueseum, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, Wrigley Field,  there is just so much to see.  Now whenever I go into the city I never know what bus to take.  I just go right up to the one of the bus drivers and ask what bus I need to take to a particular place.  Sometimes I take a cab which is very easy to do.  There is just so much to see in the city.  Oh and next weekend is supposed to be beautiful outside.  If you take the train you don't have the hassel of city driving.

Hope you have fun

Brookfield Zoo is open but there are several exhibits that are closed due to the flooding as it is close by the Des Plaines River. http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home By the time you get in for the weekend it will probably be better as the waters are receeding up north. Unfortunately central IL is getting what we had a few days ago with the swollen water ways.

Naper Settlement in Naperville http://www.napersettlement.org/

It all depends on how far you want to drive. There is the train museum in Union, NW of Elgin. There is a small aeronautical museum at the Aurora Airport, shopping, check out Morton Arboretum in Lisle http://www.mortonarb.org/ they might have a few fun things to do with kids. Try Cantigney Gardens in Wheaton http://www.cantigny.org/ it is full of local history to the western 'burbs.

Sorry, I am not too familiar with the Joliet area. Maybe someone will see this as we have members that are from the south area.

You could drive to Lake Geneva, WI. They have enclosed tour boat rides on the lake. There is a fantastic seafood place to eat there called Popeye's (and not the chain chicken place).

The weather is supposed to be great on the weekend and you can take a train down to the Loop and go up in the Han**** building. The view is right over Navy Pier. I do not even like Sears Tower as I think the view is better in the Han**** You can go do to Millenium Park and see the Bean. They might still be renting bikes at all the locations down there and you can go as a family. Here is where my DH and I rent from. http://www.bikechicago.com/ We have taken two SegWay tours with this place and it was great.

How about the American Girl Store on Michigan Ave and Water Tower Place, Sears Tower.
Mellenium Park, Buckingham Fountain. Carla 

great idea on AM Girl Store. Buckingham Fountain is down for the winter as there are rehabing it.

Thank you for all the great recommendations.
We still haven't figured out what we are doing.

My kids don't know I'm coming so that's going to be a big surprise to them.

everyone I have taken to Millineum park - of all ages has loved it - and then walked down to buckingham fountain and the art institue is right there. also next to Milinneum park  is a bike rental place and the bike path, and they had cute 2 seater bikes - kind of side by side seats - that kids were riding and LOVING. the bike path goes all the way to navy pier - a good walk, or easy bike ride.