We had a great trip to Millenium Park in downtown Chicago today. We have been learning about cities for 4 or 5 weeks now, looking at pictures of the skyline in Chicago. It was great to be there together with our families to draw pictures of these first hand. We sat in the middle of the lawn by the amphitheater to draw and have our lunches. Then we went over to the fountain and had a great time getting wet (thank you weather for being so accommodating!).  The gardens were beautiful today.

Here is a list of things you might want to do with your child in the downtown area. I hope you'll help us add to the list as you do more exploring:
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 20pt;font-family:">Downtown </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 20pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 20pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 20pt;font-family:">Things to do with your children</span> </strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center" align="center"><span style="font-size: 20pt;font-family:"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">River walk to the coast guard house:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> take the stairs down at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and Wacker and walk east to the lake (look for the mosaics of </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> under </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Columbus Dr</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Millenium</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Park</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">: </span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> runs between </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Lake Shore Dr.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">, between Randolph and Monroe (look for the Bean, the fountain – bring extra clothes! – the gardens, the music pavilion – free music concerts in the summer at night, bridge across </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Columbus Dr</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Ride on the “El”:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> you can board at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Monroe</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Wabash</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Picasso Sculpture at </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Daly</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Plaza</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> located at Dearborn and Washington. Kids love to climb on this </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> icon</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Aon Building:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> <strong><span> </span> </strong> (used to be the Amoco or Standard Oil Bldg., located on Randolph across from Millenium Park) In front of the building are large wind chimes; on the east side of the building is a cool garden area.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Harold Washington Library:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> <strong><span> </span> </strong> Located at Congress and Dearborn. The children’s library on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor is amazing! You can help your child get a library card – all they have to do is write their first name. Take the elevator to the top floor to see the Winter Garden and the Harold Washington exhibit. It’s a beautiful building and a wonderful tribute to Harold Washington.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Art Institute:<span> </span> </span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">located on </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> between Jackson and Monroe. There is a children’s section in the lower level on the west side of the building. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Navy Pier:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> You can enjoy Navy Pier and avoid spending a lot of money. Walk out to the end of the pier and look out over the lake. Check out the indoor garden with the cool water fountains near the Children’s Museum. The rides are relatively expensive but they are fun, especially the Ferris Wheel that never stops.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Buckingham Fountain:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> located at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Columbus Dr.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and Congress. You can hit or miss the spray on a windy day when the fountain is in full throttle – the water goes up 100 feet! Check out the nearby gardens and the beautiful little fountains just north of the big fountain.<span> </span> This is fun place to go on a summer night when the lights are on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Grant Park:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> Grant Park is full of gardens, fields to run in, and surprising sculptures and monuments.<span> </span> For you history buffs, the General Logan statue at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">9<sup>th</sup> St</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">.<span> </span> is the site of the 1968 anti-war demonstration in 1968 that made Chicago and Mayor Daly famous for the “Chicago 7” trial. Check out the Abraham Lincoln statue at Congress and </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Columbus Drive</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Lake</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Front</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> Walk along the lake front between the museum park on the south and the yacht club on the north. It’s fun to look at the boats, picnic along the water front, even ride bikes or roller blade along there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Museum</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Park</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> The museums are great (Field, Shedd, Planetarium), but it’s also fun to walk along the peninsula. On the eastern end on the south side of the Planetarium is a small and very nice beach. There’s also a string of rocks to climb on. You can get to </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Northerly</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Island</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> from there which has a natural area to explore.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Cultural</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Center</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> located at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> between Washington and Randolph. The </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Cultural</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Center</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> used to house the Chicago Public Library. Now it is used for various cultural events.<span> </span> Besides having regular art exhibits, it has a beautiful interior and a Tiffany dome on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">North Michigan</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> Walk along </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">N. Michigan Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> to window shop. The watertower at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago Ave.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> is the only building in the whole area to have survived the </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> fire in 1871. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Miniature Golf in the park:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> We stumbled on a small miniature golf area on </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Monroe</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> just west of </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Lake Shore Drive</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">.<span> </span> There’s a small café there, too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Wacker Drive:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> Drive under Wacker Drive and get lost in the maze of streets or walk along upper </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Wacker Drive</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and take in the river and the old buildings. You can watch the new </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Trump</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Tower</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> going up at </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Wabash</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and the waterfront.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in"><!--   [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family: Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-family:"> </span> </span> </span> <!--   [endif]--><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> </strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> Spire:</span> </strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"><span> </span> located at the mouth of the </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago  River</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> between </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Lake Shore Drive</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> and the new town houses on the north side of the river. This building is going to be another </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Chicago</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> icon. It is amazing to see how a building that will be taller than the </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Sears</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:">Tower</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> has such a tiny footprint. They are building the foundation now. Let your child witness the construction of this building so they’ll be able to tell their children they watched it being built!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in"><span style="font-size: 14pt;font-family:"> </span></p>