Art, Indoors and Out: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL

Art, Indoors and Out: The Chicago Art Institute
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL

Reasons to venture:

• The New modern wing is spectacular... and a great place to run your toddler 'till he drops.
• The giant bean at Millenium Park is just one of the kid-friendly sculptures lining the grounds.
• Take the El over the marathon route, the T never gave you this good a bird's eye view.

Where do you like to take your kids to get their art on?

Sliding Glass Doors for Great Apes: The Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL

Sliding Glass Doors for Great Apes
The Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL

Reasons to venture:

• We are picky about our zoos and this was clean, up close and personal and had plenty of opps for well-fed animals to get out and run around.
• The carousel of endangered species was old-timey and faaaaassssst.
• Did I mention it's free?
• Throw in a trip cross town for the kielbasa of your life at Jim's Original. The kids will down the Chicago style hot dogs (hold the hot peppers for your kids) and the tasty fries.

Best Zoo in the U.S.?

Giant Bugs, Stuffed Owls and a T Rex: The Museum of Science, Boston, MA

Giant Bugs, Stuffed Owls and a T Rex
The Museum of Science
1 Science Park
Boston, MA

Reasons to venture:

• There is a little something for all ages... demonstrations with live owls for the older ones and hatching chicks to watch for the younger ones.
• The Laser Light Show may be a little old for my kiddos, but what amazing stuff for tweens and teens.
• The best in national traveling exhibits. We hit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors this summer, and have been to Darwin and Baseball in the past few years. With Harry Potter in the batter's box, how can you go wrong.

What's your favorite way to spend a rainy Saturday in Beantown?