There is the Museum of Ice Cream on Michigan Avenue which includes ice cream, but it is a little pricey for just killing time. Also in the loop is Hanabusa Cafe - delicious Japanese pancakes that might be good for your Sunday time slot.

The nutella restaurant or Ann Sather's, which is a Swedish pancake place that has great cinnamon rolls. Might be a good option in the morning/midday.

Eataly is great! They have a cannoli bar, gelato, pastry, and espresso downstairs. There is also pizza and pasta upstairs, plus a store to wander around. I recommend it! If you need to pass more time, the river boat architecture tour leaves from nearby and is about 45min.

Cool dessert place, hmmm. Nothing comes to mind but you could just amble through Randolph st and find different places to eat and drink. There's a place in south loop called Decadent Dessert Bar but not sure you'd spend 2-3 hours there. There's Eataly, which also exists in NYC and Vegas and a few other places (Maybe DC)? I think you really could pick any neighborhood in Chicago and just walk around for a while. Wicker Park, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Downtown/lakefront, etc.

Travelling with my 2 tweens, in and out for a somber event relating to family members. I am seeking to find something interesting to experience - like a cool dessert place or something - downtown/uptown works. I just need to kill 2-3 hrs late afternoon on a Friday and 2-3 hours early afternoon on a Sunday. We will have plans in the evenings and are out Sunday. Trying to lay off the museums as we are back for over August - I am actually from Chicago but this is more a not for fun trip - I just need suggestions from locals on a couple cool sights.

Thank you for any suggestions!!!