Chicago for 6 adults one 2-year-old?

December 4, 2023 11:27 AM

Heading into chicago and need to entertain a 2-year-old and a gaggle of adults on a cold winter's day in Chicago. we are starting with the shedd aquarium and staying ar the embassy suites near navy pier. what else should we be doing? have car, have stroller, and do need to eat. All suggestions welcome! Thank you, Metafilter!
posted by wowenthusiast to Travel & Transportation around Chicago, IL (6 answers total)

If you're down at the Shedd, you might as well head over to the Field Museum, too. Two year-olds and dinosaurs are a good match.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:39 AM on December 4, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: For one day, the Shedd and the Field are plenty for a 2-year-old. Really, either one would be enough. If you go to the Field, make sure you go down to the basement/bottom floor and the Crown Family PlayLab, which is an area set up for little kids. If you absolutely want more to do, and/or if you somehow develop more time, the Lincoln Park Zoo is free and has lots of inside exhibits for warming-up purposes - the Africa House, Small Mammal/Reptile House, or the Monkey House or the Apes House are all big hits for the 2-year-old set.
posted by Mid at 1:28 PM on December 4, 2023 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Skip Navy Pier and go to Maggy Daley park! It's amazing. The 2 year old will love it but the grown ups will be delighted too. Esp is you like ice skating.
posted by EllaEm at 2:38 PM on December 4, 2023 [4 favorites]

We came to Chicago in the summer with our one year and had a great three hours at the Shedd. We didn't think to do this in advance, but they have reciprocal agreements with zoos and aquariums across the country for two discounted tickets, in case anyone in your group belongs to your home attraction. (Also free admission for educators of some states.)
posted by icaicaer at 4:48 PM on December 4, 2023

Response by poster: thank you for these great tips- the crown family play lab at field museum was a huge hit and i don't know that we would have found it on our own :)
posted by wowenthusiast at 11:54 AM on December 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

All my kids ever wanted to do is play with the corn at the Crown family lab. Easily 1 hour of corn per visit.
posted by Mid at 2:40 PM on December 5, 2023