Hanging with the Kids

There’s nothing like a staycation with my 20-something kids to bring some youthful energy into my life and leave me a little exhausted! Kelsey was home a few weekends ago after her internship and before she left for IU and Matt lives in the city also, so we had a Brunstrum Family Shenanigans Weekend and acted like tourists in our own city. Here are some of our recommendations:   

Chicago Crime and Mob Tour – Both of my kids have been so fascinated with the Mafia all their lives that they each took a college course on it, so this seemed like a slam-dunk, and it was. One interesting fact: Not many mob-related sites remain in Chicago because both of the Mayors Daley wanted to tone down the city’s gangster image, so they made a concerted effort to get rid of many well-known sites.  Still, we were able to see the Biograph Theatre, where bank robber John Dillinger was shot by the FBI, Holy Name Cathedral, where gangster Hymie Weiss was killed in a gangland fight, and the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The stories about Al Capone and Dillinger were captivating.

Photo Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org    

Extreme Thrill Boat Ride – You know those sporty yellow and red Seadog boats you see at Navy Pier and on Lake Michigan? Be prepared to get soaked and jostled around if you take a ride, especially if you sit in the middle of the boat like we did! It’s a 45-minute, aquatic roller coaster ride that has you gripping the hand bar and glad that you are wearing a seat belt. Not for the faint of heart or for someone who likes to stay dry as you’ll be thoroughly drenched when you’re done. We stopped by the condo for a change of clothes and then on to the…..

Photo Courtesy of seadogcruises.com  

Museum of Contemporary Art – One of their best-kept secrets at the MCA is the award-winning gift shop, the MCA Chicago Store. I need to remember it for birthday gifts, holidays and home accessories. They not only have jewelry, scarves and purses but dishware, kitchen knives, vases and frames, and they are the only source in Chicago for Wendy Stevens’ lovely little metal purses.

Photo Courtesy of wendystevens.com    

Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park (1601 N. Clark Street)  – This may not be one of the "big five" museums in the city, but it is fascinating.  If you haven’t seen the museum’s Chicago Fire exhibit, it is worth a trip just for that. You’ll find photos of the devastation, artwork depicting the fire and artifacts including household objects that were fused together by the heat of the blaze.  Look for the entire collection on the second floor in the "Crossroads of America" permanent exhibit. On the main floor check out the Chicago Fire diorama in Diorama Hall, which includes many much-loved replicas of the city’s major events.

Photo Courtesy of chicagohistory.org