Navy Pier is a must-see attraction in downtown Chicago!

For about $10 per person (there are occasional free Mondays), you and the family can crawl up and down and all around a multiple-story rope ladder extravaganza, soak yourself and everyone else in one of the largest waterworks areas I've seen in a museum, enjoy special exhibits and spend loads of cash at the gift shop. You'll find the museum indoors, along with...

The Mall:

Sit-down restaurants, a first-run IMAX theater, and the seemingly miles long esplanades full of food courts (yep, there's a McDonalds - try the Connie's Pizza instead) and stores. Watch out for the Build-A-Bear boxes – your daughter sees one and chances are you'll be sucked into watching her build...a bear. (Here's my thing - if I have to go, I'm annoying as possible to my child in hopes she'll want to just bag it. Try insisting that her stuffed monkey get the lion voice box. Good times, good times...)

Here's where the kids go crazy – what to do? What to do? There's the ferris wheel of course, which I highly recommend. It's really just a great way to catch the skyline. There's also a carousel, mini-golf, remote control boats, a giant swing, a funhouse, and more. And it all costs money! Whee! I've done it both ways, and my vote is to get a family combo pack (a 10-ride family combo is $30, but there are less expensive options) – it can be a money saver, and has an exit strategy in place for you. Punches on your card are full? Great! It's time to go!

If you're sans children, why not enjoy a dinner, then a stroll, then a night of Shakespeare? The theatre is a regional Tony Award winner and produces top-notch entertainment.

My only beef? The place really is a money sieve...and parking stinks – to put it nicely. It's either a $19 or $23 flat rate fee for the day. No biggie if that's your only stop - but if you're in for a visit and staying downtown, ask your concierge about alternative modes of transportation.

And while you're that close, if you want to hit a great place for fun pics, walk over to the Ohio Street Beach. It's not that often you'll find yourself lolling about on cool sand amongst skyscrapers!