Chicago is famous for it's fickle weather and Woodfield Mega-mall, located 30 miles from downtown, with it's 300 stores under one roof and three levels of shopping just might save your day. For those of you who are power shoppers, this will be an orgasmic event featuring those high quality key stores like Nordstroms, Lord and Taylor, and Marshall Fields. Then there are the currently hip stores like Gap, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostle, and Guess.(My daughter gets that glassy-eyed look whenever we come here!). How about those specialty stores like Jessica McClintock formal wear, Swarovski crystal, and the Rand McNally Travel store? My favorite stores to just wander around are the Discovery Channel Store and the WTTW Store of Knowledge. For the tourists, there is a " Chicago" store too.
As a tourist, I would probably eat at one of the themed restaurants in the mall....the rainforest cafe or Mars 2112.
(opposite ends of the timeline?) The Rainforest Cafe is designed to make you feel as if you have entered the jungle with the canopy above you that has intermittent lightning and rainstorms. Saltwater fish tanks are all over the place with exotic species to watch. Animated animals such as apes and elephants are anchored into the brush, and occasionally roll their eyes and change position! The food is designed with Jungle names and an ecology theme continues. I just love the Portobello mushroom sandwich...it is quite tasty, and the salads are a good bet for the dollar. My daughter says that they make a mean fruit smoothie. Talking about the dollar, you may pay a little more to eat here, but you are paying for the entertainment value of the place.
The next themed restaurant is Mars 2112. You enter thru the gift shop and turn left to take the virtual space ride (at this time a tame affair aimed at all ages.) or turn right to enter the time machine walk made to simulate your passage from Earth to Mars. You will enter a red-rocky place with lights shaped like hot meteors suspended from the ceiling and a really cool laser show overhead. There is an intergalactic game room to keep the attention of all while you are waiting for your meal. The kids menu features 7 entries priced at $ 5.95, while the adult menu ranges from $7.00-$20.00. I haven't eaten here yet, but the Martian Mama's Chicken breast---mango and wild mushroom stuffed chicken breast with tomato basil cream sauce over coconut basmati rice sounds interesting. There are sandwiches and salads too and a full service bar is to your right as you enter.
I'll be honest in saying that I'll go to these places if we have out of town guests but on average you can find us grazing at the 62 item salad bar at John's Garage or across the hall at Vie De France Bakery and Cafe. For more info about Woodfield, they have a toll free number at 800-332-1537.