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Take in a museum or three. Chicago has so many great and varied museums that it is hard to narrow it down to just one. The Field Museum is my pick for all around family fun. The permanent and special exibits will interest the whole family. The Art Institute of Chicago will fill your eye and your soul. Prepare to spend the day in quiet peaceful contemplation. For young ones needing to run and explore, you shouldn't miss an afternoon at the Chicago Children's museum .The Museum has three floors of interactive exhibits sure to keep those busy hands occupied.

The Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium. Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Oceanarium seems to flow into the lake. Be sure to stick around at feeding time when a diver will enter the 90,000 gallon coral reef aquarium and hand feed sharks, rays and eels.

For messy good times, go back in history to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Dine the Medieval way while knights on horseback joust for the Queen's favor. Whatever you do, no NOT bring in a fork, spoon or knife lest ye be ousted.

Stroll the Chicago Botanical Garden's . 385 acres housing more than 20 different types of gardens.

Shop till you drop. The Chicago area is host to many mallsWoodfield Mall Woodfield Shopping Center is touted the largest enclosed retail shopping center in the U.S. Plan to spend a full day brousing through more than 285 stores. For elegant shopping Oakbrook Shopping Center has it all. It is home to the finest of retail stores including Nordstrom, Marshall Field’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, and Neiman Marcus. And let's not forget FAO Schwartz for the kid in all of us and Brookstone for the latest and best in gadgets. Both stores are excellent sources of "guilt gifts" for the loved ones you left at home for the weekend.

You CAN NOT come to Chicago and not dine on pizza. I have travelled worldwide and NO ONE does pizza like Chicago does pizza. Pizzeria Uno is the birthplace of Chicago deep dish pizza. Their pizza's are made of the finest of ingredients for a truly Chicago pizza experience. My all time favorite pizza place in Chicago is Giordano's with many locations throughout the Chicago area. Giordano's deep dish crusts are made of a sweet bread dough filled to the brim with sauce, cheese and goodies. Giordano's also has a great thin crust for the little ones who can't wait the 30-45 minutes it takes to bake a good deep dish pizza pie.

If you crave thrills and spills, don't miss a day at Six Flags Over Great America It's not just roller coasters. Great America now has a special area just for the little kids, as well as 130 rides, shows, attractions and live stage entertainment for us older kids.

You gotta see Chicago by water. You'll fall in love with it. Several sight seeing boat tours take off from Navy Pier ranging from fancy dinner cruises to speed boats to basic cruise boats. All will show you the splendor of Chicago by water. And, take it from me, it is well worth it to take the longer river&lake tours. This extended tour will show you a side of Chicago that you can't see from the sidewalk. Just a few of the sightseeing boats that I have had experience with are The Anita Dee Yacht Charters the Wendella Sightseeing Boats and the Seadog Speedboat Excursions.

There are Lions and Tigers and Bears galore at Brookfield Zoo. With a strong focus on preserving our Earth's natural beauties, Brookfield zoo is an enjoyable learning experience for the family. Don't miss Tropic World, the Dolphin Show and the suprise SPLASH! at the Living Coast. There is even a playground and picnic area for children who are tired of walking and just need a place to climb, slide and swing for a while. While there are plenty of food consessions and even a full fledged tapas restaurant, I'd advise you to take a picnic lunch and enjoy a casual meal in one of the many picnic areas. Service at the food consessions can be excruciatingly slow.

Navy Pier is my definite top Must See on your visit to our fair city. Ride the carousel or view the lakeshore from a huge ferris wheel. Dine in one of many restaurants ranging from fast food to full service and look for that special keepsake at the many gift shops on the Pier. And don't miss the Omnimax Theater and the Chicago Children's Museum. Arrive early and take advantage of the parking on the Pier. Stroll the outside walkways or just sit and watch the boat traffic and pedestrian traffic. Hop on a sightseeing boat and cruise the lakefront and the Chicago River. Navy Pier has it all. On a side note, Disney Quest recently opened in Chicago and has been getting great reviews as a place for the family. I have not been there yet but my husband and older son were able to go to Disney Quest in Orlando Florida and loved it. If Chicago's Disney Quest is anything like it, I'll have to revise my top 10. Gee, can I make it a Top 11?

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