Activity: Navy Pier Tips

Navy Pier is the top tourist destination for people visiting Chicago, and I can see why - it has a lot for families with the Children's Museum, a large variety of restaurants and shops, boat tours and cruises, 3D movies, Shakespeare theater, the sparkly new Centennial Wheel, and more.

But bring your wallet. Or, if possible, someone else's wallet.

If you haven't been in a while, Navy Pier is sporting a fresh new look, which has really energized the venue and given our family more incentive to visit.

Not everything at the Pier is expensive. They do a great job of having free art installations located along the pier and within Polk Bros Park.  Polk Bros Park is the entry point of Navy Pier and has a large fountain the kids love to play in (during the summer, so we didn't hit it up today). For Summer 2018, there was a huge bubble-foam machine -- straight from kids' dreams -- fingers crossed that returns in 2019!


Amazing Chicago (year-round):
This afternoon, we went to experience the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze and their smaller activities: Time Freak and Atomic Rush.

Note: Although the website for Amazing Chicago says "this attraction is not recommended for children under 5...," what they really mean is 10.  When we showed up, the cashier asked their ages and then said they shouldn't go in. 

Which isn't awesome since that was our main reason for going.

However, we competed in several rounds of Time Freak and Atomic Rush and had a blast. While the kids loved this, it didn't take up much time, so is better as an "add on" aspect of your trip to the Pier, as opposed to the reason for your visit.


Chicago by Boat (Summer):
There are all types of boat options:

• Architectural Cruises - great views of the city and great information 
• Cruises - dinner dates on Lake Michigan with beautiful views of the city 
• Seadog - a mega fast boat with little to no information on the city 
• Water Taxi - no information but an inexpensive way to get a view from the river

We did the Seadog once and were disappointed.  We prefer the water taxi or any of the architectural tours.


Centennial Wheel (year round):
While the cost of the ferris wheel was an incredible shock to my ears, I later looked up prices of similar views/experiences to compare.  While it still feels expensive, the cost is cheaper than tickets to the John Hancock and Willis Tower and the view (in my opinion) from the Wheel is much better.

Regardless, here was the conversation in our family after stepping out of our ride:

Kids: "Can we go on that again?"
Me: NO
Kids: "Not today, like again in our life?"
Me: Still No.


Restaurants:
Honestly, you will have a much better dining experience anywhere outside of Navy Pier and would recommend you only grab snacks or a light lunch so you can have a more economical, pleasant, and better tasting eating experience later in the day. The city is known for amazing cuisine, so don't limit yourself to the pier!

Age Recommendations:  All Ages

Cost Savings:
Buying online will save a few dollars per ride.
Check online for more information on rates.

If you plan to visit the Chicago Children's Museum more than 1 time in the calendar year, consider purchasing a membership as certain levels offer free parking (WHAT?) and you will most likely make your money back within 2-3 visits.

Location/Transportation:
Public Transportation options are best via the bus as the L Stops require significant walking (and whining) if accompanied by children. Check the Navy Pier website or app for transportation options.

There is a large, covered parking area as well. The advantage to this is being able to leave your coat in the car (if during the colder months) so you don't have to drag it around with you or rent a locker.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
They love this place and we like to go for special exhibits and events - but always have to manage expectations so we don't spend (way) too much money.

Annual Event: Bristol Renaissance Faire

Guest Blog Post by fellow Chicagoan, Carrie - view bio
----
We had an enjoyable day with friends at the Renaissance Faire, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This event is a reenactment of the 16^th century with kings, queens, swordfighters, jesters, even Robin Hood and more on 30 acres of land!

This annual event goes from around the second week of July thru Labor day on the weekends, Saturday/Sunday and the Monday of Labor Day.  It is a fun day get away a little north of Six Flags.

If you are looking for something different, it is an experience to go back in time. There are several kids games, rides, market places, food, shows and people in costumes to keep you very entertained for the day.

Noteworthy:

• Be prepared to bring cash or bring your debit card to use the ATM for a fee!  All food and activities are cash only. The food is great but be prepared for some lines during peak times. Non-Alcoholic Beverages are comparable to airport pricing, maybe more and depending on the day your young one can work up a thirst. 
• Check the website prior to going, you may be able to bring your own unopened bottle of water. 
• Sunscreen is highly recommended.
• I suggest reviewing the map before you go so you have an idea of a plan. However the list of their fun shows are not listed until you get there. Grab a few maps/list of events at the main entrance. Kids had fun looking at the map and picking out what they wanted to do and what area they wanted to go to. 
• Shows can get crowded, if you want a seat suggestion is to get there prior to shows starting. 
• There are porta potty privies (restrooms) and there is one set of flushable privies with a changing station.

Age Recommendations:
Best suitable for ages 5 and up. Unless you have a jogging stroller with huge wheels it will be a challenge to get around for smaller kids.

Cost Savings:
We purchased our tickets online to keep our sanity from the long lines… even with the small ticket fee it was worth it. They do have an online coupon for an adult ticket if you want to purchase your tickets at their box office. This activity can be moderate to expensive depending on how many activities you do and how much you want to eat. Each kids activity/ride (excluding shows) has a fee per child.

Location/Transportation: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Grass lot parking is easy and was affordable. The faire is ~50 miles from downtown Chicago and on a Sunday morning it took a little over an hour to get there.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
My son loved the Archery, Climbing Tower, Coin Challenge Games, Dig for Treasure, eating a giant turkey leg, and watching the Mud and the Joust Shows! 5 Stars, he would go again.

Suburb Activity: Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm -- which is not a location for berry picking -- is a living history museum of pioneer life with a lot fun activities for the kids.

We had a great time exploring our way through hands-on learning at the One-Room School House, Blacksmith Shop, and Early Streets Museum (the boys asked a lot of questions, which was fun to see). Then we took several trips through the pony, steam train, and carousel rides.  Several.

A big bonus of the park is the admission price covers everything, so you can ride that steam train 8,561 times if the kids want! 

After lunch at the Concession area (quick service with hot dogs and burgers), we hit up Adventure Playground (this was a big highlight -- a maze of houses with passageways - many parents were wandering through, looking for their children), saw farm animals at Discovery Barn, and mom enjoyed a well deserved rest on the Wagon Ride after working her legs for three people on the paddle boats.

The park is absolutely beautiful and pristine, making it so peaceful spending time there.

Noteworthy:

• The venue only has a few of the interactive pioneer stations open each day (my guess is to provide a reason for returning).
• While we there (about 4 hours), we waited in 1 line.  One.
• They have refillable water bottle stations!  Bring a refillable container and enjoy being environmental!
• Fox Valley Park District, where the farm is located, is adorable and probably a great way to spend a day or weekend, including: 
• 48 miles of trails for biking and walking
• Splash Country Water Park (across from Blackberry Farm) 
• Red Oak Nature Center, Golf, Disc Golf, etc... 

Age Recommendations: Infant - 12 years old
Based on the crowd, the average age was between 6-8 years old.

Cost Savings:
The affordable admission covers everything in the park, which is such a wonderful perk.

Location/Transportation: Aurora, IL
About a 60 minute trip from downtown with plenty of free parking.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The boys each had a blast at the learning areas - both boys would let me know throughout the day when they could hear the blacksmith hammering her tool and our 8 year old wants to return to see the the one-room school house again!

They each loved the Adventure Playground and the train, and our 6 year old rode each and every pony available (real and carousel variety).

Hands-on Learning:

Suburb Activity: Roller Skating

Apologies for the fuzzy photos - there was a smudge on my lens the whole day...

We took a trip (waaay) back in time to my childhood when visiting Fleetwood Roller Rink.  It has everything you hope for and expect: roller skate themed carpet, gaudy twinkle lights, bold paint colors, and top-40 tunes (intermixed with classics like TLC's No Scrubs).

Even one of these!

We really lucked out with the staff while there - the man working the rink took time to teach each child the basics of skating (and getting back up), and even circled back to show our oldest how to skate backward once he (sort of) mastered forward movement.

The man helping mentioned this was not officially part of his job, he just enjoyed it. A success story:

Kiefer skate from Tracy & Kevin Carlson on Vimeo.

Noteworthy:

• Training skates are provided for young skaters, which slows the turning speed of the wheels.
• Group and Private Lessons are offered at a very low rate, click here for info.
• Bring quarters if you would like to use their lockers, as bags, purses, and phones are not allowed on the rink (we learned this the hard way - but managed to get some photos first).
• If you arrive right when they open, you will have a nearly private rink experience (which is great for new skaters....and parents who have not donned skates for 20+ years).
• Food is available in their snack shop (ICEEs, Pizza, etc..)
• Remember to bring long socks for comfort!

Age Recommendation: All Ages!
If this is your child's first time, I recommend the lessons, and with the basics, they can pick it up pretty quickly.

Cost Savings:
Affordable outing, current price details and upcoming events found here.

Location/Transportation
The drive is only 20-30 minutes from downtown and there is plenty of (free) parking available.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Both kids loved it and want to return.  Our oldest wants to take lessons, so we'll definitely make another trip back!

Activity: The Honeycomb Project (Volunteering for Families)

Our family has been excited to test out this Chicago Adventure for some time....but due to it's popularity and my forgetfulness to register - it is a tough activity to score.

The Honeycomb Project* is explained best from their site: "The Honeycomb Project is on a mission to engage, mobilize and inspire kids and their families to build stronger communities for all Chicagoans."

There is a large variety of volunteer options, each geared for families, and we selected to help shelter animals at the Anti-Cruelty Society (which has free parking). We made chew toys for the dogs, helped "socialize" some new pups, and had a tour of the facility. The best part (besides free parking) was learning about a Reading Buddy program where the kids can come back and read to the animals!!

To see the upcoming Honeycomb Project volunteer events, click Calendar of Events on their homepage. Options range from helping the homeless, under-served communities, the environment, and more. When you click on each activity, it will provide all the information you need: day, time, location, and full details on the scope/needs of the project.

Noteworthy:

• To Register: Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. (CT) on the 15th day of each month. Spaces are grabbed up quickly so set your alarm like you are registering for a park district class.  
• IE. Registration opens on July 15 for all opportunities in August. 
• Resources: To prepare for the upcoming event, their website provides great information on the issue, including questions and additional resources to discuss as a family.
• Communication: the organization is great at communicating the project and reminders as it approaches - we felt well informed going in.
• Groups: to arrange a group or company outing, email contact@thehoneycombproject.org.

Age Recommendations:
Best for First Graders to Adult.

Our 5 year old seemed to disengage on the task, so we will try a different one or wait until he is a little older.

Costs:
While the activities are free, volunteers are encouraged to donate to the organization to further the mission and capabilities.  Shirts are available for purchase as well.

Location/Transportation:
Near North / Downtown Chicago
Easy access from Red Line Grand Stop or Free Parking at their garage.

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
The kids liked socializing the puppies best and lost focus on the toy-making. Looking around the room, this seemed to be the overall trend with all the adults finishing up the project while kids were running around.


*Why the name Honeycomb Project?
(from their site) "Bees work together to make their hive a place where everyone can thrive. We believe that Honeycomb volunteers, like bees in a colony, can accomplish great things when we share our skills and work together toward a common goal."

Activity: SafeHouse "Spy" Restaurant

The SafeHouse is a unique restaurant downtown with a spy theme and we had so much fun.

We won't provide many details, as it is much better to experience in person (no spoilers below, don't worry).

The restaurant does a great job of playing up the spy theme, including: finding the store front*, providing a password to enter (or perform a series of tests if you don't know it), and an optional scavenger hunt option while you await your meal.

We decided to create our own clues for the kids to figure out how to the restaurant. It was easy and a lot of fun - we were immediately in "spy mode" and used the train and walk to get fully into character before arriving at the restaurant.

Noteworthy:

• The food is similar to bar food (and adult beverages are a-plenty) - burgers, fries.
• Kids meals come in fun containers with more "spy" work opportunities.
• There is a photo booth where you can send a photo / postcard from anywhere in the world.  We couldn't get our older son out of the booth, he loved it so much.
• In the women's restroom there is a surprise for people who pull down the hat covering the sexy door.
• A magician visits the table and he is great with the kids (and magic)!  Have a few dollars handy for a tip. 
• Leaving is fun -- you'll need a dollar or credit card handy.
• Reservations are recommended.

Age Recommendation: 5-14
My 5 and 7 year olds loved it - they have asked to go back.
Our friends have kids in grade 3, 5, and 8 - they all have asked to return to the restaurant too!

Location/Transportation:
SafeHouse is located in the River North neighborhood, making it easy to access from Red Line Grand stop.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The boys had a blast and can not wait to go back.


*the name SafeHouse is nowhere to be seen on the exterior/from the street.

Road Trip: Saugatuck, Michigan - 3 day itinerary

We enjoyed our first weekend trip to the quaint, picturesque lake town of Saugatuck, Michigan and below are our recommendations of activities & restaurants for families with young children.

The town is very easy to navigate on foot and we recommend staying near the main street (there are some Inns and many VRBO/AirBNB offerings), so you can avoid looking for a parking spot. There is also a nice little playground in town that we frequented to let the kids run freely and to kill time while waiting for the ferry or duck boats to become available.

DAY 1

We left Chicago in the morning and arrived in Saugatuck just in time for lunch!

Mermaid Bar and Grill - American Fare (Kids Menus Available)
This restaurant sits along the water front, so the kids can watch the boats float by, and the food is good too! Servers were nice, attentive, and quick (which is key with young kids).

The Sweet Shop
We then wandered across the street to the Sweet Shop to enjoy chocolate dipped Oreo for dessert. The kids were thrilled, as was mom!

Saugatuck Chain Ferry - Crosses the River from Saugatuck to Douglas
This is a unique experience for kids - as it is the only hand-crank ferry still used in the United States! It is a small ferry, manned by college students (or high schoolers? It's so hard for me to tell nowadays) who crank a lever that pulls the ferry along a chain to the other side of the water.

Key Note: The chain ferry is often not able to run if the water is choppy. Which we learned the hard way. Twice. If you are on the other side and the ferry isn't running....there aren't a lot of easy options to get back to the other side.  Recommend riding it from Saugatuck, across the river, then riding it right back. This means you won't have to hitch hike like we did.

Mt. Baldhead Hike:
The Mount Baldhead Recreation Area most notably has a nearly 300-step staircase taking you to the top of the area to view the town and surrounding water. The hike is fun - the kids had energy to spare, which is perfect, as "sand dune jumping" awaits them at the top!

We made our way to Mt. Baldhead by the Chain Ferry, but then were stranded on the other side - would recommend taking a car and saving the chain ferry for a one-off experience.

DAY 2

Saugatuck Dunes State Park
This beach feels like your own private beach, most likely due to the hike it takes to get there. It is a beach within a state park (there is an unmanned entrance which requires a fee (cash only) - check the site here for the current Recreation Passport cost).

The hike from the parking area to the beach is a gorgeous, tree-filled forest (slightly buggy, be forewarned) - but pack light, it is about 2 miles in distance.

Center for the Arts
The local Center for the Arts has a quaint, beautiful garden mixed with art.  We strolled through it, as it was on our way into downtown and enjoyed stepping into the quiet area to enjoy the scenery.

Harbor Duck Adventure
Another family favorite - This amphibious vehicle was previously used in WWII and now provides some entertainment and information to tourists to get a land and water view of the towns of Saugatuck and Douglas.  It was a fun trip (the driver was a funny guy) and we even walked away with some good nuggets.  Kids loved getting into the water!

Key Note: When I say it sells out fast, I'm not kidding.  It only seats 20 people, so make sure to get there early. They also may have a private tour happening (this happened to us). We learned a lot about flexibility on this trip :)

Shops & Playground:
Between the town tour and dinner, the kids enjoyed the little playground downtown.  It is on the west side, near the Chain Ferry and across the street from public bathrooms. Pretty genius, truly.  Many families enjoy the little shops as well - so make sure to check those out (you can watch the waffle cones being made at Kilwins)!

Saugatuck Brewing Company
Our family enjoys breweries (well, not the younger members, but you know what I mean), so this location hit the spot.  Casual with good beers and food. We had a flight of beers, which was fun and the boys enjoyed the little sports/billiards room nearby to pass time as we waited for our food.

Saugatuck Antique Pavilion
If there is a wait to get into the brewery, we heard the antique pavilion is a fun place to pass the time.  We were able to get in right away to the restaurant and never had a chance to pop over.  If you it out and let us know how it was in the comments!

DAY 3

As this was our check-out day, we packed up in the morning and headed to Oval Beach.

Oval Beach
This beach is more easily accessed than Saugatuck Dunes State Park, so it is best to arrive early to find parking and claim a place on the beach.  It is more active with people and the beach itself is nice, though a bit narrow.  Kids had a fun time!

Earl's Berry Farm
While this location is no longer open, there were several similar You-Pick farms along the road.  It was great to break up the drive home and so fun for the kids to run around picking blueberries.  They had an awesome time and a great snack for the remainder of the ride home!

Location/Transportation:
About a 2.5-3 hour drive from Chicago.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Had a great time relaxing and enjoying a weekend of small town shops, picturesque beaches, and unique experiences. Over and above the activities, the kids really loved the time at the beaches the most.

Activity: Dragon Lights at Soldier Field

We were excited to take a walk through the special exhibit in Chicago through May 6: Dragon Lights

It was tough to rally ourselves as the weather had been so chilly and the illuminated displays are all outside. Thankfully, the warm weather appeared and we jumped at the chance to visit the event.

We arrived just before the sun set, which gave us the opportunity to take photos where you could see both us and the lights.  And the kids (and adults) enjoyed watching the exhibit transform into bright and colorful displays as the sun disappeared. 

Noteworthy:

• The nightly performance has four acts and the boys were entertained (as you can see by our youngest basically climbing onto the stage).
• There was a tunnel to see the "Year of the [Animal]" - so we found our assigned animals for each of the kids (Dragon and Tiger).
• The space was not over-crowded and there was a lot to see.
• Recommend grabbing dinner before attending, as the food vendor is one option and the line is long.

Cost Savings:
There is a family of 4 package deal you can purchase online - under $50 for everyone!
Parking for the event (covered) is $15.

Location/Transportation:
Soldier Field
Can take the Red Line to Roosevelt; Various Buses; or Park ($15)

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The boys really liked it, especially the performance!

Activity: Funtopia

For city-dwellers, Funtopia is definitely worth a trek to the suburbs. We have now been twice and as we left the second time, the boys were already discussing what they would be doing on our next visit (which of course includes a stop to indulge in Cookies by Design  across the street - curse you, well placed sweet shop).

The "Fun Zone" includes 40 climbing walls (some with interactive components), a ropes course, a cave system, giant slide, and free fall.  There is also a jungle gym available for the youngest family members.

Funtopia does a great job managing the number of people in each session so it never feels over-crowded. There are rarely lines, so you can really make the most of your time there. 

There are a few areas that tend to have wait times, so be sure to visit these immediately or when lines are lower (many of these names are made up; photos below):

• Build Your Own 
• Ledge Jumps
• Skyscraper Walk

Age-Range:
The facility is best for kids 5-10 years old.

• Younger kids enjoy several of the climbing structures and the cave system.
• The older kids have an easier time on the walls and can try their skills at the ropes course.  
• For children under 5, there is a jungle gym area so they can have fun while their older siblings are in the Fun Zone.

Noteworthy:

• Registration can take some time - Complete the waiver online and (still) arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in and receive your harness and "training," as the queue can be long.
• The staff is incredibly helpful in helping you latch and release the pully for each activity.
• To try the Ropes Course, children must be at least 52" tall.
• You may take in snacks and drinks, as there are only a few vending machines available.
• Though there are some tables and chairs, they are a hot commodity.

Cost:
The cost includes your harness and bases the pricing on the length of stay (1, 1.5, or 2 hours) and activity options selected.

Location/Transportation:
Funtopia is in Glenview, Illinois and located in the Glen Town Center. While parking is free, allow yourself some time to find a spot.

Since we make the trip out, we like to tack on a breakfast or lunch and fit in a bit of shopping as well, given they are located near a sports store and a movie theater! And you can't escape the smell of those fresh baked cookies...

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
My kids love this place. My 5 year old could zip up the Commando Ladder and Skyscraper Walk all day (and a few more activities, but those are his favorite).  My 7 year old loves it all, even the caves.

Road Trip: Ski Lessons (Wilmot Mountain)

Ready to embrace this winter weather and challenge your kids (or yourself) with some downhill skiing?  Try out this nearby mountain...

We took a quick road trip to Wilmot Mountain for a kid's half day lesson (9:30 am - noon).

It was our 7 year old son's first time on skis and first time seeing a ski resort. The resort is cozy and easy to maneuver with (resort map) a ski school, rental area, main chalet (food, drink, lounge, small store, etc), and trails.

The ski school check-in is efficient, and they quickly had us signed in and on our way to pick up our rentals (see Rentals note below). Instructors were easily visible, good at directing us to the next steps, and patient answering my numerous questions.

Once rentals were in hand, we were running late, and the ski instructors were great about quickly joining our son with the rest of his class on the mountain (i.e. bunny hill).

The school is strict on their parent drop-off policy, keeping anxious moms (me) and dads at a distance so the kids can focus on learning the ropes. I tried to watch for a bit, and then couldn't figure out which kid was mine and sought solace at the nearby (warm) chalet.

From what I saw of the lessons, the kids receive good instruction and by the end, Chase was able to go down the full bunny hill unassisted and successfully maneuvered himself through narrow cones!

Noteworthy:

• Rentals: If you need rentals, arrive with plenty of time.  It took us a full 30 minutes to get our boots, skis, and helmet - and we had pre-registered online. The area is TIGHT and difficult to figure out the first time. That said, staff was incredibly helpful and did their best to keep lines moving.
• Goggles: Rentals do not come with goggles, but would highly recommend you borrow/purchase some. 
• Viewing Lessons: It is difficult to get a good view of the kids in lessons, depending on where they are on the mountain. And the fact that every kid looks the same size and is most likely wearing the identical black and gray colors and matching rental helmets. 
• Food: Walt's Tavern is on property, with a fire pit outside. The cafeteria has a mix of comfort foods and snacks.
• Tubing: They have a large tubing hill (which we didn't experience), and it looks amazing.

Cost Savings:
You probably know this, but skiing isn't cheap.

• If your family gets the ski-bug (much better than this year's flu bug), be sure to review their website for deals on season passes, bulk discounts, or Epic passes (deductions at Colorado destinations and more).  
• Groupon may have deals for ski resorts in the area as well.

Location/Transportation:
Other Locations near downtown Chicago with ski lessons for kids:

• Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports - near Lisle, IL
• Villa Olivia - Bartlett, IL

All locations are closer to downtown, though classes look more expensive

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
So while my son gave it 3 stars, I added a star as his rating is very misleading. His only complaint was that he didn't get to do harder aspects of skiing.  Everyone has to start with the basics, so he got a little bored and I should have set expectations on the first lesson teaching basic skills; not going down a black diamond.

Random Recommendation: For first time skiers, I recommend starting with a private lesson (if affordable) to get a sense of skill level. I wish we would have done this to make it is easier to determine his skill level for future group lessons (avoiding boredom or over-taxing on either end of the spectrum).

Activity: Magic Tree House Musical

With CPS giving students the day off, I had the opportunity to take my boys to a musical at Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park: Magic Tree House: Showtime with Shakespeare. 

While the boys have had a taste of performances in the past through Broadway (in Chicago) and Cirque, I was excited for this, as it is based on one of the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne: Stage Fright on a Summer Night. 

Our family loves these books - the wild adventures of Jack and Annie, while learning about various people and places throughout history.

We weren't disappointed! 

The boys were thrilled to be in a theater and enjoyed the full Hamilton-influenced performance from beginning to end (runs about an hour). 

You better snag tickets now!  The show only runs through Feb 25, 2018!

Noteworthy:

• Was glad to have read the book prior to seeing the musical, to understand a few elements prior: who is Shakespeare; what play was he showcasing, etc.
• Had a kids program, where we could play a Jack and Annie version of Mad Libs.  Loved it.
• The show was packed with families and students on field trips, ranging from 5-12 years old.
• After the play, the actors interacted with the audience by asking questions based on the story and let the kids ask questions of the cast.  The kids loved it (and had great questions).
• There are a few dining options near the theater, we really enjoyed the tacos and environment at Broken English Taco Pub.

Cost Savings:
There are discounts with field trips and larger groups.

Location/Transportation:

• Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park
• We found $3 parking right across from the theater for the full afternoon (Spot Hero).
• El stops and bus stops are nearby as well.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Kids had a great time, and I love to see them enjoy theater and great stories with themes to which they can related.

"Mad Libs" while you wait?  Yes, please!