Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you're welcome to sit and sip.
520 N. Michigan Ave. (in Westfield North Bridge Shopping
Center).
&
312/644-9450.
Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
THEME STORES
American Girl Place
One of Chicago's hottest family destinations, this
three-story doll emporium attracts hordes of young girls (and parents with credit
cards at the ready) hooked on the popular mail-order doll company's line of his-
toric character dolls. A stage show brings stories from the American Girl books
to life, and the store's cafe is a nice spot for a special mother-daughter lunch or
afternoon tea. All of the American Girl dolls from different eras of U.S. history,
plus their many accessories, are for sale here. Dioramas for each doll change with
the seasons. A cafe serves food mentioned in the topics—and your doll can dine
with you. Breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner seatings are available 7 days a week.
You can also see the musical review
Circle of Friends: An American Girl Musical
at the in-store theater. The show (recommended for ages 6 and up) lasts 1 hour
and 15 minutes and costs $26. There's a new 35-minute show for the younger
set called
Bitty Bear's Matinee: The Family Tree
($15 for kids ages 3 and up, and
$7.50 for kids under age 3). Reservations are needed for the theater and cafe
(well in advance). Check the website for a full lineup of special events, from les-
sons on how to cook like a pro to visits with American Girl book authors. Amer-
ican Girl also does birthday parties. For $26 per person, you get a two-course
meal, chocolate-vanilla cake and pink peppermint ice cream, a birthday certifi-
cate, and goody bags. They'll even provide invitations and thank-you notes.
Bathrooms are spacious and clean, and one has a changing table. You'll need
1 to 2 hours to explore the store. If you include the cafe and theater, this can be
a full-day activity. (For a review of the American Girl Place Cafe, see p. 116).
111 E. Chicago Ave.
&
877/AG-PLACE
or 312/943-9400. www.americangirlplace.com. Subway/
El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
Sony Gallery of Consumer Electronics
The latest high-tech gadgets are
displayed in a museum-like setting at this multilevel store. The home office with
Web TV, Vaio laptops, and more will rivet adults while kids spend time in the
PlayStation play area, also on the first level. On the second floor, check out the
newest wide-screen Trinitrons, Walkmen, minidisk players, and stereo compo-
nents. The first floor has a 15-foot Chicago diorama with working camcorders
that you can use set up all around it.
663 N. Michigan Ave.
&
312/943-3334.
Subway/El:
Red Line to State/Grand.
TOYS
Dorby Magoo & Co.
What's not to love about a toy store that's laid out
like your own home? Kids feel an immediate welcome as they look for toys in
the bedroom or books in the library. There's even a living room, den, kitchen,
and bathroom. Birthday parties can be scheduled for the dining room and back
yard area (complete with Astroturf “grass” and a ceiling painted to look like the
sky). Each section is labeled with an age range, from infants on up, to make gift
shopping easy, and there's a stellar collection of arts-and-crafts projects. You'll
also find bins of cheap classics like superballs and plastic rings. Gag gifts, like
fake prechewed gum and whoopee cushions, are also in abundance.
2744 N. Lin-
coln Ave. (at W. Diversey St.).
&
773/935-2663.
Subway/El: Brown Line to Diversey.
Galt Toys
This shop offers its own brand of toys, which are known for their
craftsmanship, quality, and design. The staff is especially helpful when you're
desperately seeking, say, a few toys to keep a toddler entertained on your flight
Finds
