On a recent trip to Chicago, my family visited several familiar landmarks and tourist spots but one of the most unexpected pleasures was the time we spent at Legoland Discovery Center.From rides to workshops and countless displays, Legoland kept us entertained for several hours.

All of my kids have been Lego building block fans as kids and I have a 20 year collection of the connectible cubes to prove it. So it was a no-brainer that when we planned our weekend getaway to Chicago, Legoland would be among our stops. What was surprising about it was how much they crammed into that relatively small space and how inspiring it can be to creative imaginations.

You've probably seen pictures on the internet of some of the amazing things that have been built using Legos. At Legoland you can see some of them up close. Animals including lions, hippos and tigers occupy one diorama while a king and queen hold court in the next room. You can see a slideshow of some of these exhibits here.

Legoland has a 4D theater where kids and their families can watch Bob the Builder and his team on an adventure that includes, wind, rain and even snow in the auditorium. We also enjoyed the Lego factory where a technician demonstrated how Lego blocks are actually made, calling volunteers from the group to help operate the mock-factory equipment. Each child was given a souvenir keepsake block with the Legoland logo on it. These blocks can be personalized at the gift shop for just $2.

Dragon Quest is an easy-going ride through a scale version of a medieval Lego castle complete with dungeon, banquet hall and a red dragon. Other areas for youngsters are the Duplo room and the Princess Palace where girls can have fun with pink Legos too.

There is a café where you can enjoy a moderate menu while the kids can play at Lego tables or in a giant coral with sponge Legos bigger than most toddlers.