Top Picks for Teens and Tweens in Chicago from the Teen Concierge, Four Seasons Chicago

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago debuted the Teen Concierge program last year in an effort to cater to older children and teens who have different expectations for a fun vacation. Cynthia Waldmeir, the Teen Concierge, knows Chitown inside and out: the coolest boutiques in Lincoln Park and the trendiest restaurants in the city. Equipped with iPod fix-it kits, lip balm, and popular DVDs, Cynthia's got her list ready for the Top Picks for visiting teens and tweens:

Where to eat:

1. Best Place to Enjoy Sushi: Kamehachi, 240 East Ontario Street

Cynthia says: "They have a really cool underground atmosphere. It's like you are going into this cave where you sit down to enjoy delicious sushi rolls."

2. Best Sweets in City: Sweet Mandy B's, 1208 West Webster Avenue

Cynthia says: "The vintage cafe is so cute and their cupcakes and sweets are to die for."

3. Best Place for Something Different: L'Appetito, 875 North Michigan Avenue.

Cynthia says: "They have great panini-- but leave room for the gelato, an Italian favorite."

4. Best Place for a Chicago hot dog: Downtown Dogs, 804 North Rush Street

Cynthia says: "A trip to Chicago is not complete without a Chicago hot dog. Downtown Dogs has a great menu and is within walking distance for our guests."

5. Best Place for Chicago-style Pizza: Giordano's, 730 North Rush Street

Cynthia says: "At Giordano's you can place your order while you wait for a table-- which is important for young eaters who are low on patience."

Where to Shop:

1. Best Place for Jeans: The Denim Lounge, 940 N. Rush Street

Cynthia says: "They carry all the popular brands as well as fun T-shirts."

2. Best Place for Sunglasses: Active Endeavors, 935 West Armitage Avenue

Cynthia says: "They have a great selection and carry a lot of trendy, hard-to-find styles."

3. Best Place for CD's and DVD's: Virgin Megastore, 540 North Michigan Avenue

Cynthia says: "They have their own deejay and listening stations-- not to mention three floors of the hottest music, latest movies and even those rare titles you can never find."

4. Best Place for Jewelry and Handbags: Francesca's Collections, 2012 North Halsted Street and 1154 Lill Studio, 904 W. Armitage Avenue

Cynthia says: "Francesca's has a wall-to-wall jewelry collection of fun and sophisticated styles. If you can't find it there, it's not going to happen. At 1154 Lill Studio, you can design your own handbag which is something different and a fun activity for teens and their moms."

5. Best Place for Cosmetics: Sephora, Water Tower Place/Shops at Northbridge

Cynthia says: "They have free samples of just about everything so that you and your girlfriends can give one another makeovers."

Where to Play:

1. Best Scenic Beach Spot: Oak Street Beach

Cynthia says: "Right behind you is Chicago's awesome skyline."

2. Best Recreational Beach Spot: North Avenue Beach

Cynthia says: "Here you can join in a volleyball game or rent a bike for a scenic lakefront tour."

3. Best Cultural Spot: The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue

Cynthia says: "It may not sound like kid-pleaser, but the guys love the Arms and Armor collection and the girls love The Thorne Miniature Rooms. Plus the gift shop has posters of their popular art. Teens will also enjoy the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum and the U-505 Submarine exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry."

4. Best City Park: Millennium Park, 222 North Columbus Drive

Cynthia says: "Where else can you get soaked by interactive fountains of faces that spew water?"

5. Best Snapshot Spot: Outside the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lakeshore Drive

Cynthia says: "It's a picture-perfect spot with a spectacular view of Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan."