OT - Chicago trip

My husband and I are planning a trip to Chicago next week while the kids are on spring break and we can't decide what to do that isn't horribly expensive - yet will be fun for both us and the kids.   

One thing we need to consider is that we only have one full day - Monday.  We are planning on driving up most if not all of the way Sunday when he is done with guard duty - and he has to be at work by 2:00 pm Tuesday.  We're about 3 hours from downtown Chicago.

The other thing we need to consider is the age of our children.  Our kids are 6, 5, and 22 months.  

We have considered the following:  Field Museum, Musem of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Legoland.  My husband also suggested going to the Sears tower, out to lunch, then checking out downtown the rest of the day.

Does anyone have ideas on a fun one-day trip?

Everyone likes the Navy Pier, i went there one time years ago around Christmas , so I don't know what it is like year round.  I always wanted to go to Shedd Aquarium,  I bet the kids would enjoy that the most. I'm not sure if the Field Museum has their free day any more.  I went to The Sears Tower and really didn't fine it to great, it was $15 to ride a few seconds to the top and then you just looked out the windows over the town...... I wouldn't think it would be intresting for the kids.  Have you checked online to see prices?  Maybe you could get tickes or coupons to some of them. There is always the Zoo, if it isn't raining and to cold.
 Good luck with what ever you pick and have a safe and fun day.
Robbie

I am a former chicagoan, Plan on spending a lot for parking. I usually pay about 30.00 a day if I go downtown by car.
Milleneum park is awesome to go and see. I am doing the park in June.
Hotels are pricey also. Hotels.com have some good rates.
If you only have less than one day, the Museam of Science and Industry is great. I think it is free on Thursdays dont quote me on that.
It cost about 18.00 per person to get in other wise.
Hope this helps.
Carla

 Lincoln Park Zoo is always free.  Also, walking around downtown looking at all the buildings can be fun for some.  There are children's museums too, but they do cost money.  The Museum of Science and Industry can be interactive for kids and they have a fun miniature train exhibit.   I don't think any of the museums are free on Mondays.  I'm sure you can check that.

Legoland cost about 20.00 for an adult and lower for children, your best bet would be a childrens musem.  There is one at Navy Peir or i think there is one in Barrington, IL not too far from Chicago.  Google Children Musems in Barrington, IL and check it out first.  The zoo would be nice if it is warmer and sunny out.  The zoo is free but you need to pay for parking.  Chicagoland has 2 zoos Lincoln Park in chicago and Brookfield outside of Chicago. 

Have a great time in Chicago.

I suggest to everyone to forget Sears Tower and go up in the John Han**** building. It is right above Michigan Ave and practically over the lake front. Navy Pier is about an 8 block walk from the Han**** building. You might want to consider going to lunch at Bubba Gump's on Navy Pier. There are a lot of little boutique stores in the pier in addition to other restaurants. http://www.navypier.com/things2do/things_home.html There is also a children's museum in the pier. You might luck out and find on street parking in that area; otherwise there is a pay per hour parking lot.

Lego Land is out in Schaumburg and about an hour drive (minimum) from the Loop.

I think for the entertainment value Shedd Aquarium would hold the interest of your kids at their ages. The Field Museum and Science and Industry might be a little old for them and too large for their age. There are a lot of hands on things for them to do, but it is large even for me as an adult. Shedd does not have free days or discount days right now at this time of year. http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html Also Adler Planetarium is just a stones throw away from the aquarium. http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/ 

Be aware that at all of the museum campus's you will have to pay for parking in addition to the entry fee.

Hope this all helps. Wish I could be your tour guide down there as I love to go downtown and my DH and I do on a regular basis as we live right off of a commuter line in the western 'burbs and in fact only about 6 miles south of Lego Land.

Lincoln Park Zoo is always free and it is not so big that it is overwhelming.  Right next to the Lincoln Park Zoo is a really cool butterfly habitat (at least i THINK it is still there) and they also have botanical gardens on that site.  SO, 3 things to do in one area, relatively cheap.  There are restaurants in the Lincol Park area and there used to be a part of town called "Old Town" near there that was fun to visit.

The other day long excursion is Navy Pier and the Children's Museum there. 

I would think that the Museum of Science and Industry would be TOO big and confusing for kids that age.  Heck, as an adult, I can't see that whole museum in one day.  The aquarium is very nice, but can be a bit pricey for a whole family.

Good luck and I know you will have a good time.

I noticed in your post your hubby has guard duty....Is he active duty military? National Guard?  If so a lot of the places you want to visit  such as The Shedd, and other museums have military discounts.  Check their websites or call for the information.

Science and Industry museum can take most of the day after that I would consider shedd aquarium or legoland if your kids are really into the legos.   But when my boys were little in one day Science and Industry museum was about all we could get in one day.   Sears tower and downtown I don't think would interest them that much.  IMHO. Oh if you go online you can get discount tickets.