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Of the wealthy enclaves both north and south of the Chicago River that grew up following the Great Fire of 1871, Prairie Avenue was the most fashionable – and Chicago’s ritziest. Only a few of its mansions remain today, of which two are open to the public (by tour only): the imposing, Romanesque-Revival 1887 Glessner House, and Chicago’s oldest remaining building – Clarke House – built in 1836 in the Greek-Revival style by New York emigré Henry B. Clarke.

Upon arrival, head straight for the Oceanarium to watch the thrilling dolphin and beluga whale show. Staff trainers frequently choose children in the audience to help them reward the marine mammals with a snack after each trick. At the daily Tide Pool Touch and reptilian Animal Encounters kids can indulge their urge to lay hands on the critters (see John G. Shedd Aquarium).

Vendor of dolls with educational aims, American Girl Place feeds its fantasy world, literally, in a café where dolls are welcome in clip-to-the-table chairs. Lunch leans to simple crowd-pleasers like tomato soup, while dinner supplies standards like chicken potpie. In between, the imaginative tea proffers chocolate pudding in a flowerpot or heart-shaped sandwiches. Reservations recommended.

Topped by flying buttresses, this Gothic-style building was completed in 1925. Its faux historic design had won a competition organized by Colonel Robert McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune , the newspaper whose offices still occupy the building. Look closely at the facade, which is embedded with over 120 stones collected by correspondents from famed sights. There’s a rock hailing from each of the 50 states, as well as fragments from international monuments such as Greece’s Parthenon, India’s Taj Mahal, and The Great Wall of China.

The eclectic Uptown neighborhood is nicknamed the United Nations for its ethnic diversity. Along Argyle Street, it’s called Little Saigon for its predominantly Vietnamese flavor. Inexpensive restaurants serve thinly sliced beef, tangy soups, and shrimp crêpes. Though the area is absolutely fascinating to explore, it’s really not advisable to walk through Uptown late at night.

Level 3 of this tony Michigan Avenue mall is primarily devoted to children’s retailers including clothiers Oilily Children, Benetton Kids, The Children’s Place, and Hello Kitty! specialist, Sanrio. Across the hall from the Lego store, the Lego Construction Zone sets out Lego bricks for play. The fourth floor food court sells kid-favored foods like hot dogs and pizza.

A baseball lover’s park, Wrigley is a small and intimate stadium that’s far less intimidating for children than many larger stadia. A ticket to anywhere in the grandstand allows you to walk around and get to the rooftop terrace with its great views: the outfield stands can get rowdy, but a neighboring family section bans the beer that fuels the “bleacher bums.”

Built in 1914, this is the USA’s oldest National League baseball park. Home team, the Chicago Cubs, haven’t won a World Series championship since 1908 (before the field even existed), but that doesn’t stop Northsiders from being behind them every step of the way. In season (March– September), spending an afternoon cheering on the “Cubbies” in this marvelous stadium, with its ivy-clad walls, is a quintessential Chicago experience.