• Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline.chicago sky image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
  
  Chicago may be the heart of the blues with a nightlife that goes until daybreak, but it's not all about the grown ups in the Windy City. Chicago is packed with kid activities, from the beaches of Lake Michigan to the top of the world's second tallest building. Take a walk by the water, catch a Bulls, Bears, Cubs or White Sox game, marvel at the Suessical sea creatures on exhibit in Shedd Aquarium or just enjoy the view from Sears Tower Skydeck. Kids could spend a week in Chicago and still leave the city with a long list of cool places they never had time to see.
  
  

John G. Shedd Aquarium

• Dolphins and penguins and belugas, oh my. Get lost in the waters of the world at Shedd Aquarium and come face to face with the creatures who live beneath the surface. Chicago's most popular attraction holds more than five million gallons of water in its exhibits, making it one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. Its five permanent exhibits house more than 1,500 species of marine mammals, fish, birds, snakes and amphibians. The glass-walled oceanarium has stunning views of Lake Michigan just out the windows, creating the illusion of unbroken water. Fantasea, starring the aquariums white-sided dolphins and belugas, is a favorite for the whole family.
  
  John G. Shedd Aquarium
  1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
  Chicago, IL 60605
  312-939-2438
  sheddaquarium.org
  
  

Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor

• Thirteen rollercoasters, 75 rides and the gigantic Hurricane Harbor water park keep the thrills coming and coming at Six Flags Great America. Three sections of the park geared to kids--Camp Cartoon, Bugs Bunnies National Park and Wiggle's World--have rides such as the famous double-decker Columbia Carousel. Additions to Six Flag in 2010 include a Glow in the Park parade and the Little Dipper kiddie coaster. Tickets include admission to Great America's 13-acre water park, Hurricane Harbor.
  
  Six Flags Great America & Hurrican Harbor
  1 Greaet America Parkway
  542 N II Route 21
  847-249-4636
  www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx
  
  

Sears Tower Skydeck

• It's not technically called the Sears Tower anymore and it's no longer the world's tallest building, but the views from the 103rd floor sky deck are still stunning. On a clear day you can see 50 miles into Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. There is also a kid-centric exhibit, Knee High Chicago, with eye-level displays for the little ones wrapped around the inside of the deck. The building's high speed elevator makes the 103-floor trip in just over a minute. Lines for a trip to the top can be long, but there's no better place to start sight-seeing in Chicago.
  Sears Tower Skydeck
  233 S. Wacker Dr.
  Chicago, IL
  312-875-9696
  www.the-skydeck.com