Trip to Chicago this weekend?

I hope that you and your family have a fun time here in the city.
If you want to avoid paying extra tolls from Michigan City then avoid the Skyway (I-90) into Chicago if you can. Whenever I am coming back to Chicago from Ohio I take I-80/I-94 instead of I-90W to avoid the additional toll roads.  The distance is about the same but sometimes I-80 can get a bit of traffic due to trucks/construction.  But then again I-94 might too.
Anyways I agree that I would hit Barrington first and then Aurora since you'll be heading back home by that time.  If you ski/snowboard at all then there is a nice Spyder outlet in Aurora.

I don't think that there is much going on downtown that should affect you too much. Although they are closing down parts of Michigan Ave starting Sunday night for the Oprah show.

Parking can get pretty expensive downtown.  How far do you want to walk?
Here is a link for American girl parking validation:http://www.americangirl.com/stores/popups/travel_tips.php?location=CHI

Personally I would disagree 100% about the skyway.  I think that although the skyway costs some money it save ALOT of time as the traffic is usually not too bad, plus there.  I hate sitting in traffic so for me the 5 dollars to use the skyway is VERY worth it.

I would recommend taking the skyway from michigan city, even with the high toll costs.  There is usually much less traffic and it is a shorter trip.  Be aware - Michigan City to downtown chicago to Barrington to Aurora is a lot of driving with LOTS of traffic.  Going to Barrington first would be best as this way you will avoid I-88, which is under construction from the Cook County line all the way to Kane county, maybe 20 miles.
For parking, choose any garage, they are all over the place.  Anything near Michigan Ave where the shops are will be expensive - expect to spend more than $20 on parking.  Street parking (if you can even find it) is now MORE expensive than a garage - it runs almost $6/hr. 
There are always things going on downtown, but this weekend nothing super huge other than it being a holiday weekend - just mentally prepare yourself for traffic. 
While you are in downtown chicago, you might want to walk (or take a cab) a bit south to Millenium Park and check out The Bean (you will know it when you see it).  With the nice weather this weekend, it should be pretty cool to see.

Agreed on the tollway. It's the best $6 or $8 or whatever you'll spend on this trip. As for parking -- just bite the bullet and pay, otherwise you'll have to deal with public transit, which for a family of four would be $9 each way, or a cab, which will cost you as much if not more monetarily, but also in frayed nerves and `life-flashing-before-your-eyes syndrome' ... trust me on this one!

Ok, maybe the wife makes me take I-80 because we like eat at Abuelos off of I-65

FYI...recently I went to the Pearl Izumi Outlet before it moved from Aurora to Barrington and was not impressed. Not a big selection and the price reduction wasn't that great. I find better bargains on the net. Maybe since they reopened in Barrington things have changed but I haven't been there yet. Hope you have a great trip.

I'm going to agree with Steve on this one...and I HAVE been to their new Barrington store.  My husband always managed to find a few bargains at the old Aurora store...perhaps because he's a size Medium in just about everything.  But I never really found much at either of their locations.  Since it's quite a distance from my house, I'm not sure I'd bother to go back.  Maybe now that they are settled into the Barrington location, there may be more deals to be had...we did happen to visit the new store when they were still "in transition" during the move from the Aurora store, so that might explain why they didn't have much.   

Thanks for all the great tips, we ended up cancelling our reservation in Michigan City we did hit the outlet mall there and then driving on to Chicago. Stayed at the Westin on Michigan av. nice place good service, valet parking was $53 ouch. Next day took our daughter to American girl she had a great time. Rode out to Barrington got a good deal on some new shoes, some winter mits, and some shorts for my son. Drove down 59 to catch 88 over to Aurora, that outlet mall was packed. Drove back home lastnight about 400 miles very tired, layed around the pool today.

I have to ask do you pay occupational taxes, I about died when I saw the 10.25% sales tax, tolls I think hit us for about $20 all told. I guess all these taxes and tolls get you the finest facilities around.

Gotta love good 'ol Cook County.  Highest sales tax in the country.

Crap, I wish I would have seen this before your trip - I could have saved you 50 miles.

As an FYI, the same outlets that are in Aurora are also in Huntley just off 94.  It's only about a 20-25 minute drive from Barrington.  Prime Outlets.

Yep..thats why I bought my new blackberry in Ohio while visiting my parents!  might as well make it as cheap as possible!