Chicago Day 2

As you know, I usually like to plan and research and think through everything, especially trips & vacations!  Since we had been to Chicago with Leighton before, I knew a lot of the kid-friendly options, I only took note of admission prices and opening hours and didn't make a day-by-day itinerary (shocking!  I know!).  It was too hard without knowing just how far the kids would want to walk (Leighton was in a stroller when we went last), what the weather would really feel like (it was still sweltering here!), and most importantly - when Roy would need to be working and when he'd be able to be with us.  So, we planned out our time very last minute!

Since the weather was so beautiful, we decided to just wander outside and do some low key (and free!) things on Saturday.  We lucked out that it was Open House Chicago that weekend.  I remembered the same event from NYC and mapped out some buildings that would be good for the kids.

We took another walk along Michigan Ave on the way to our first stop and had fun looking at the pumpkins and other fall decor along the route.  The kids loved the fountains and the 'castle' look of the Water Tower.

We then arrived at the Chicago River Museum to go see the view from the top and the giant gear that opens the McCormick Bridge.

We then walked back across the bridge and off of the busy, touristy area to have an early lunch at a place I had found online called the Slurping Turtle.  I can't remember what my search terms were to lead me to it, but it was something about kid friendly noodle bars or something.  When I was reading the restaurant names out, Leighton and I both thought it was too fun not to go to!  When I looked at the menu, I decided it looked like it would have enough to satisfy my and Roy's wishes for something unique and flavorful and the kids wishes for something plain and familiar!  When we were walking in, we happened to run into one of Roy's colleagues - it was such a random place to see someone!  The kids thought the chopsticks were the most exciting thing ever!  And Riley loves anywhere with little dishes.  We ordered them plain noodles and endamame and (the most amazingly delicious duck fat fried) chicken pieces from the appetizer menu and finished things off with some delicious Japanese cream puffs (Roy and I were VERY fond of Beard Papa's in NYC).  It was a delicious and fun meal, and we were so proud of the kids for experimenting with something different.

Roy then needed to head to work for the day, so the kids and I were on our own to explore.  I didn't want to go too far in case Riley's legs got tired and Roy wasn't there to help carry her.  We set out for another Open House Chicago building - a W hotel right on Lakeshore Dr with an empty space at the top that was once a 360 degree restaurant.  It was fun for the kids to see where we had walked from and to look out at Navy Pier and the beaches and boats in the water.

I then took the kids through one of the tunnels under Lakeshore Dr to go right to the lake.  The lake was splashing up over the sides of the cement walk which provided some good entertainment, but I think they loved going through the tunnel the most!

After we crossed back through the tunnel, we went to a playground close to our hotel that I took Leighton to on our last visit to the city 6 years before.  There was a little toddler the same age that Leighton was playing and Leighton was so intrigued to think of himself at the same age playing there.  It was very sweet.

We stayed and played and snacked for a long time, but when the sun went down, we put our jackets, mittens, and hats back on to walk to the hotel before meeting Roy for dinner.  The kids stopped to hug at one point.  Such sweeties!

 When Riley took her shoes off, we realized that playground dirt had gone through her shoes and socks and made her feet extra dirty, so she washed them in the sink :)  There was no bathtub in the room!  Leighton decided he wanted in on the action, too!

Then it was time to go meet Roy for dinner.  The kids really liked all the art we'd come across around the city - and this was especially exciting since we had just had the whole feet washing extravaganza!

We ate at M Burger in the Water Tower Building for a quick and easy meal.   They had a sundae bar where the kids were allowed to choose 1 sauce and 3 toppings.  I am not sure they could have been happier!  And for those of you keeping track, yes they had a giant creme puff at lunch and ice cream at dinner!