This article recently appeared in New York magazine:

What to do in Chicago

With kids that age, I would consider Navy Pier, The Museum of Science & Industry or either zoo-Brookfield or Lincoln Park. There is a Children's Museum located on Navy Pier. There is also some shopping and several rides, one of them being a large Ferris Wheel. Lincoln Park used to be free, but I seem to think that there is now a fee. The location is great since it is right in downtown. Brookfield is larger, but just outside of Chicago. Not too far from downtown, though, and you would be traveling against rush hour traffic. The Museum is something I will be taking our (now adult) children back to in October when we go to Chicago for a family wedding. When my daughter and I went to the Aquarium last September, we were both disappointed. What should have been the best part (dolphin show) was extremely lame! Perhaps they have implemented a new show, and if so, that is another great option for your group.

There is a children's museum, a zoo and an aquarium. I haven't been in them but the buildings are beautiful. I have been to a museum years ago. I think it was the Museum of Science and Industry. Spent almost a whole day there. One thing I remember was a pendulum that hung from the very top of the building. Look for discount coupons before you go. For lunch, Chicago pizza or hot dogs, of course!!

Chisue can probably give you lots of good ideas. Sounds like a fun day.

Wrigley Field - just don't sit in the bleachers, they're a rough crowd if you don't root for the Cubs.

After I posted, I needed a geography lesson since GR seemed so far (in my mind) from Chicago. It's 183 miles and when you get off the el, you will have to do plenty of walking unless you hail a cab. The traffic is what you'd expect it to be in such a large city. I'm thinking if it were me I'd just enjoy the camping and wait til the little ones were a little older. That's sure a long day for them. Is there anything in Grand Rapids they would enjoy?

I wouldn't do this on a day-trip. It's too far.

When I think of Grand Rapids, I think 'furniture' -- maybe you can tour a company to watch the manufacturing process? How about a short trip to Battle Creek to tour a cereal factory? (I remember watching a woman whose sole function was to flip any burned Cheerios off a conveyer belt. If that doesn't inspire a quest for a higher education...)

Today's Chicago Tribune Business Section has a story on a new theme for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. It's "Chicago: Second to None". The bureau would have info on everything Chicago. It's not all fancy hotels; you could even stay just outside of the city and take the train in; Chicago has good public transportation (and expensive parking).

Our DGS (6) loves the Museum of Science & Industry. Look for the coal mine (there since *I* was a kid) and the human body (new) exhibits, and lots more. You could spend a week there. Kids might like riding the "El" (elevated train) around the "Loop" (downtown) and going up to the top of the Hancock building. Lincoln Park Zoo is still free, AFAIK. If you came by train, that would be an experience in itself. There's a communter boat along the Chicago River from the train stations to Michigan Avenue. Milleneum Park has fountains kids can play IN; to the south is Buckingham Fountain (just look, don't touch -- lol).

Chisue--I just got your name! I always thought it was some pretty French name, but now I'm guessing it's "Chicago Sue." Is that right? This happens to me all the time. :)

Sorry for the hijack!

the drive from gr to chicago isn't "bad" althought just checked and road work always in progress...it's just the traffic and omg! the semi-trucks that scare me! if you have access to aaa i'd get a trip-tik, and city map of chicago...

this might be a nice alternative...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.meijergardens.org/

Nicole, I am in Chicago also and at least 3 times a year I do the drive to GR. You are looking at 3 hours minumum each way. Parking in Chicago is a fortune now also.

You can take an Amtrak train from GR to downtown Chicago though. No parking fuss, no traffic, the kids and you can snooze each way......

Great advice and suggestions. Thank you!

We've got a bunch of Grand Rapids and Holland stuff planned already. I got a Groupon today for a Middle Ages Festival in Battle Creek. Claude was the driving force in wanting to go to Chicago for a day. I ordered a tourism booklet from the City's website, but there's just so much stuff!

I was thinking we'd leave the campground around 7:00 in the morning and leave Chicago around 6:00 in the evening... just for an new experience and to see the city. The kids are good travelers, and they love spending a day in the city here (Toronto), so I think they'd enjoy it. Oliver will nap for a while in the van, and the other 2 will play games and watch videos.

We will probably check out the zoo at Lincoln Park,and the Museum of Science & Industry looks fantastic. So much to do - maybe we will just get a hotel for a night to spend a day and a half there.

Thanks again, everyone!

(What's special about Chicago pizza?)

How about a tour from GR to Chicago? Check for a day bus tour maybe from the hotel you are staying at. Don't forget to take bottled water for the little ones.

I would just skip it this trip. That's definitely not enough time! But when you do go, depending on the season, you have to go to Millennium park and see the bean sculpture. Go to Buckingham fountain and let the spray wet you down on a hot day. The museums, both Science and Industry and Field, are great for kids that age but they are all day trips. So much cool/fun stuff to see in them!. At Christmas a walk down the magnificent mile. Navy pier and the ferris wheel in the summer. I miss Chicago.

Oh, forgot China town. So many fun little kitchsy shops and great restaurants. And Greektown too for dinner at the Parthenon.

Nicole, Chicago is pretty famous for their pizza. It has a thick crust (which is the best part). I usually like thin crust pizza, unless I'm in Chicago. Otherwise, it's pizza.

LOur daughter lives in Holland MI and we were talking about driving down to the zoo when we are out there. After reading these posts I feel like it wouldnt be a good idea since her girls are 2 and 4. Thank You for the advice

Chicago pizza is deep dish - thick, buttery crust on the bottom and up the sides of a pan (think a round cake pan). Filled with tomatoes, meat, etc. and covered with gooey cheese. I prefer the hotdogs - best ever. The bun is steamed and has poppy seeds. The dog is garnished with mustard, tomatoes, peppers, relish, onions and celery salt. Just finished one.

We went last year and loved The Bean and Buckingham Fountain!! The Bean was one of our favorite things in Chicago!

I think it best you stay near Grand Rapids, MI. Look for things to see and do on that side of the Lake and save the trip to Chicago for another time. Flower growers and cherry orchards are on the GR side of Lake Michigan.

If you just have to go somewhere, consider the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village in Detroit. Its an easy drive across the State of Michigan and traffic will be light until you get to the outskirts of Detroit. Do time your arrival and departure to miss the rush hours. Especially avoid routes leading to the airports during rush hours. These are ferocious; At otther times, the traffic is nominal.

Renee, I'm glad you liked the bean and Buckingham fountain. They are so much fun for kids, and best of all are free!

sjerin -- Yes, my name is Sue, and I live 30 miles north of Chicago. I've lived in a suburb of the city all my life. You were on the right track about "Sue". My ancestors are French and Scots. EVERY branch of my French Protestant family had a Sue, Susan, Susanne, etc. back in the day, along the French/Swiss border. Sure complicates genealogy!

The Willis Tower (the old Sears Tower) has sky decks that extend from the building and are just glass. My husband and I went last summer and it was a lot of fun. They are 103 stories up and you can see for miles.

I suggest you do it early in the day. We didn't have any problems but I've heard it can get crowded as the day goes on.

Nicole -- I spend entirely too much time on the "Hawaii" forums on TripAdvisor. I've never actually looked at the "Chicago" forum there, but you could give it a try.

If I went to Chicago, I'd leave as fast as possible.

I really do NOT like that city. Gives me the heebee jeebies.

Chicago was great when I was a kid born and raised there. The Buckingham Fountain we alsmot lived in the Mus of Science nd Industry called the Rosenwald M then, The art Institute - I remember they had the painting usied in the movie The Picture of Dorian Gray one time. And we haunted the Field Museum where the mummies were.
and My girlfirends and I went everywhere on our bikes!! Then things changed and after high school we couldn't get out of there fast enough neighborhoods changed and crime increased. Was back once for a high school reunion (outside of town by the way not on the Southside where the school was) and once in '81 and styed close to my sisters house in Wilmette.

Hope you find some fun there .

We used to go up to Holland for the Tulop Festival

chicago is about 3 hours and detroit......for my money and interest, you couldn't pay me to go to detroit! i love chicago. just trip to the water tower shopping would make me happy. there is a wonderful fao shwartz store there. not educational but unique. do have a chicago pizza from either Ginos or Eduardos....makes my mouth water thinking about it! my daughter lived there for 5 years and i loved visiting her. i like it better than nyc.

meant to say......detroit is 2.5 hrs away

I know you say your children travel well. So did mine.
But a three hour drive on both ends of the day seems excessive!

I'd expect at least one to have some sort of meltdown during that trip. That's just a lot to ask of little ones who have already been traveling.

While in Chicago, eat a polish sausage sandwich with all the trimmings. The best are made there.

I have to have Giordanos Pizza every time we're in Chicago. It is, without a doubt, the best pizza I've ever tasted.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.giordanos.com/