Chicago ideas for a 2 year old?

[elephantmeg]

We'll be visiting my bro and SIL in Chicago in the end of Aug for a week. We'll have a car (we're driving-yikes!) but also do public transit fine (or did the last time we were in Chicago when I was 12ish weeks pregnant with DS-a few things have changed about our family since then). We are planning to do:
-Lincoln park zoo
-Museum of science and industry
-Millennium Park (the fountains etc)
and some transportation museum near Chicago that DH really wants to go to. He and DS are train fanatics, sigh. Maybe I'll take DD to the American Doll store, lol. I'm sure that at 5 months old she'll be very impressed ;0

Any other ideas? They live on W Catalpa Ave if that means anything-they've moved since we were last there so I'm really not sure where they are. Not far from the lake from what I understand.

I'd also like stroller advice. I have an umbrella stroller for DS, a jeep liberty stroller and a snap n go. Should we plan on just taking the best umbrella stroller and the ergo and bjorn? I can still cary DS in the ergo.

TIA, you guys are the best!

[momtoonegirl]

DH and I lived in Chicago for 6 years, where we met and married. We took DD there when she was 18 months old for a visit. We weren't able to stay long, unfortunately.

DD absolutely loved the Chicago Childrens Museum at Navy Pier! She did not want to leave. We were able to go on a Monday, so admission for her was free (Target has free admission for kids on the first monday of the month). I believe that there is always free admission for kids under 12 months of age. There were several rooms of activities for kids of various ages to enjoy. We even bought her a souvenir t-shirt there that she still loves to wear now.

Here is the link for the museum: http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org

Hope you all have fun!

[ilfaith]

How about the Field Museum
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

And Shedd Aquarium
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

It's been a few yearas since I've been to Chicago, but I recall they had a discount pass for these and some other museums (Art Institute?)

[mom2binsd]

We loved Shedd...remember like VA it'll be hot...I can't imagine wearing a baby, I'd do the snapngo with the infant carrier so if the baby is sleeping it'll be easier..and a place to stow the diaper bag etc.

[bensmom]

We were just there for the weekend (and used to live there with DS1). Riding the "L" was a highlight for DS1 and DS2 (aged 2 and 4). The bus has been a favorite in the past - and the kids are free (I started paying for the kids and they stopped me), so it's pretty inexpensive entertainment.