Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
287
301 N. Washington, Naperville.
&
630/637-8000.
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org. Admission $8.50
adults and children age 1 and over, $7.50 seniors, free for infants under age 1. Mon 9am-1pm; Tues-Wed
and Fri-Sat 9am-5pm; Thurs 9am-8pm; Sun noon-5pm.
WHERE TO EAT
The museum has a dining ar ea with v ending machines and a micr owave, and nearb y
you'll find plenty of fast-food r estaurants. For a change of pace, tr y pizza at
Lou Mal-
nati's,
131 W. Jefferson St. (
&
630/717-0700
).
5
WONDER WORKS
10 miles W of downtown Chicago
Wonder Works is the Chicago ar ea's newest children's museum, located in O ak Park, a
historic and scenic suburb , with a wonder ful downtown full of shops and r estaurants.
Especially if your kids are over age 8, I'd recommend spending a day in Oak Park, visiting
the museum, and taking a tour of the F rank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio.
ESSENTIALS
BY CAR
Oak Park is about 30 minutes due w est of do wntown Chicago. Take North
Avenue west. You will trav el about 9 miles straight on N orth Avenue to the museum,
which is at Elmwood and North avenues, just west of Ridgeland.
BY BUS
Take the no. 72 (North Ave.) bus from the corner of Clark Street and North
Avenue. It's about a 45-minute bus ride straight to the museum.
11
EXPLORING THE MUSEUM
This 6,500-square-foot museum is designed for kids up to age 10. It opened in 2003 and
as such is one of Chicago's newer children's museums.
One permanent exhibit is
Lights, Camera, Action!,
a per formance area that allo ws
kids to be stars with a lo w-rise stage, costumes, and backdr ops. Kids can sing a song,
entertain the audience, and record it all on videotape. Professional puppeteers and story-
tellers use the stage during special ev ents throughout the year.
The
Great Outdoors
exhibit lets kids experience the wonders of the natural nighttime
world. Sounds and lighting set the mood and a canopy cr eates a beautiful night sky; tents
are set up near a glowing “campfire.” Kids can also climb a ladder into a treehouse. A nature
trail lets kids wander through the “outdoors,” with surprises around every corner.
The
Build It!
exhibit allows children to become construction workers, architects, and
engineers. F illed with a v ariety of small- and large-scale constr uction materials, this
exhibit lets children plan, design, and create anything they desire, while developing their
fine and gross motor skills.
6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park.
&
708/383-4815.
www.wonder-works.org. Admission $5 ages 1 and over.
Wed-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm. Closed holidays.
WHERE TO EAT
An Oak Park tradition,
Petersen's,
at 1100 W. Chicago Ave. (
&
708/386-6131;
www.
petersenicecream.com), is an ice-cr eam shop that 's been ser ving up good ol ' American
favorites since 1919. In addition to wonderfully rich ice cream (try the seasonal specials
that include peach in summertime and eggnog in winter), Petersen's also offers soup and
sandwiches for adults, and kiddie tr eats such as dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. B ut
