Help with my weekend visit to chi-town

mgfit1

We are heading to CHI for Memorial Day weekend.  I have been several times before, but this time my DH and I are bringing our 4 year old son.  I just want some rec's on what would be fun to do.

We are staying near the magnificent mile and will be able to walk or use public transportation everywhere with no problem.  We will arrive on Sat morning around 10am and leave by Monday at noon.  I am thinking Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier and the Children's Museum so far.  I will also probably take him to the Lego Store (he loves Lego).

What else to you recommend?

Any rec's for healthy or organic dining downtown?  If not - good/fun family restaurants?  Also something good for Italian.....I am Italian and love authentic Italian food...you know the mom/pop type places where they are from the old country. 

 

hz80408

If it's nice out, I'd take him to Lincoln Park Zoo.  It's free and easy to get to.  The easiest public transit way to get there is the #151 bus (picks up on Michigan Ave, get off at Stockton/Armitage).

 If he'll still be awake, I'd also suggest the fireworks at Navy Pier at Saturdays.  They go off at 10:15pm.

My fav. children's park is Oz Park in Lincoln Park Neighborhood.  It's at Lincoln Ave and Webster.  To get there you'd could take the red-line train or buses, but it's not really ideal to access via CTA.

lmb5109

Italian Village downtown is a great place, 3 restaurants in 1 place 

www.italianvillage-chicago.com

Millennium Park & Buckingham Fountain are good downtown spots for kids, and free.  

katarczyna

Tuffano's is the best Italian in the city, IMO.

HoneyBunch09

I would definately second the Lincoln Park Zoo, they'll love it! Italian Village is also a great place!

jesusita2002

Having lived in Little Italy, my husband and I hit about almost every Italian restaurant on Taylor (and the surrounding area, including Tufano's). Rosal's is by far my favorite though http://www.rosals.com. They are a bit more on the high end but still the place likes to think of themselves as an extension of your family. They have two dining rooms, one downstairs that's dimly lit and another upstairs that has more lighting and a bit more informal which I believe is where I've seen families with younger kids before but I could be wrong.

katiecavallo

Lincoln Park Zoo & the Museum of Science and Industry are great for kids!