If I was going to load my kids up for a trip, Chicago probably would not be my first choice, but this article in The New York Times begs to differ.  Apparently, Chicago is quite the kid spot, and for many U.S. residents, it is only a hop and a skip from home.  If you want culture, the Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry are must sees.  Kids might also enjoy the tallest building in the U.S., the Sears Tower.  I can just imagine how some children would show off to their friends that they visited the tallest U.S. building to their friends upon returning to school in the fall.  For water lovers, there is Lake Michigan and Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.  I was quite surprised by this story, because really, Chicago would never cross my mind as a kid hangout, but it seems that there is lots to see and do, and ultimately, that’s what kids love.

Thanks to The New York Times (free, registration required) for this article on the many kid-friendly activities in Chicago.  Parents get so wrapped up in sports classes, piano lessons, etc. that we sometimes forget about the very exciting, unstructured and educational fun that awaits in a cultural oasis like Chicago.  Check out this article, and either book a trip, or take the ideas and find similar activities in your neck of the woods.  A day away is always good for the mind, soul and family.