It may be nicknamed the “Second City,” but Chicago is actually the third largest city in the United States after New York and Los Angeles. Over 2.5 million people call Chicago home. Although it’s one of the largest cities in America, Chicago is a very down-to-earth, livable city for families. Many neighborhoods just north of Chicago’s bustling business center are prime spots for young parents settling down to raise their kids. Chicagoans heavily rely on the city’s bus and elevated train systems to get them to and from work and all of their weekly activities and weekend destinations. This also makes it a fantastic city for tourists to visit because it is so easy to get around.
I happen to be a native Chicagoan so, to me, Chicago really is “home sweet home.” We started our family in the Wrigleyville area (near where the Chicago Cubs play baseball) and it is one of our favorite spots in the city to visit with our kids. Our families still live in Chicago which means we have the advantage of visiting Chicago at least twice a year as vacationers. Here are my top recommendations for fun things to do in Chicago with kids:
PARKS & OUTDOORS
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Photo
1. Catch a Baseball Game
Chicago is lucky to have two baseball teams: the Chicago Cubs (on the north side) and the Chicago White Sox (on the south side). I am partial to the Cubs because they play at historic Wrigley Field, which is closer to Chicago’s downtown area. (Wrigley Field, which was built in 1914, is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors behind Boston’s Fenway Park (1912).) However, the White Sox have a great stadium accessible via Chicago’s elevated train system that ventures southward.
2. Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
A cool way to get to know this beautiful city without a lot of effort is to buy tickets to the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s 90 minute River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises. You’ll find out how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world’s largest cities in less than 100 years. It is beautiful and entertaining and the docents (tour guides) really know their stuff. My father is actually one of the boat tour docents, so if you meet “Jim” (above) tell him his daughter Kimberly says hello.
Photo Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo
3. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo – one of the free zoos left in the country – is home to approximately 200 different species of animals, many of which are rare and endangered. Young kids will love the Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure, a 20-foot-high wood-and-fabric tree (encased in soft safety netting) where they can scramble up and down (near the West Gate entrance). Don’t miss the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, which features 48 artisan-crafted wooden animals and two chariots. Photographers (and selfie seekers) love this zoo for the amazing view of the Chicago skyline from the south pond. Admission is free and it’s open every day of the year. Tip: Parking can be tough; walk, bike, uber or bus. There is also a nice park (Cummings Park) for little kids across the street at Dickens/Stockton Dr.
City of Chicago Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
4. Enjoy the Wonders of Millennium Park
There is something happening every day at the 25-acre Millennium Park. Visitors love taking a picture with the Cloud Gate sculpture (‘The Bean’ as we call it in Chicago). Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape. Kids can splash around in the shallow pool of Crown Fountain. (Two 50-foot glass block towers project video of faces of Chicago citizens on LED screens and having water flow through an outlet in the screen to give the illusion of water spouting from their mouths.) It’s also worth taking a stroll through Lurie Garden, a 5-acre urban oasis featuring perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees. Free concerts and workouts are often held in the summer at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, so check the event schedule in advance.
Abel Arciniega Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
5. Slide Around in Maggie Daley Park
“It gets a bit crowded but that’s because it’s awesome,” said one recent visitor to Maggie Daley Park. This 20-acre, $60 million park opened in 2015, making it one of Chicago’s newer green spaces for families. There are age appropriate play areas for all children and rock climbing and mini golf for a fee. In the winter, ice skating is available. The park is connected to Millennium Park by the BP Pedestrian Bridge.
City of Chicago Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
6. Hit The Lakefront and Beaches
Chicago has one of the most gorgeous lakefronts in the United States. It’s Eastern border sits on the edge of Lake Michigan (a very large lake that is 22,300 square miles). The lakefront is quite walkable; it is possible to stroll past parks, beaches, and marinas for about 24 miles (39 km) between the city’s southern and northern limits along the lake 1. If you are interested in hitting the beach with kids in tow, North Avenue Beach may be your best bet. It may be the most crowded (Chicagoans love to get outside in the summer), but also has the best amenities and a rooftop restaurant / bar called Castaways. Oak Street Beach, which is slightly further South, is also a good choice for families staying near the Magnificent Mile.
Ranvestel Photographic Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
7. Walk the 606
The 606 is a three-mile trail connecting four unique neighborhoods: Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. The main path is set above the city streets and is perfect for biking, running, and walking. The trail runs through six city parks and features urban art installations along the way.
Ranvestel Photographic Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
8. Ride the Centennial Ferris Wheel or Carousel at Navy Pier
After visiting Chicago Shakespeare Theater or the Chicago Children’s Museum, take a ride on Chicago’s iconic Centennial Wheel or the carousel at Navy Pier . The panoramic views from atop the wheel include the Chicago Harbor, Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline.
9. Bobby’s Tike Hike: Kid’s Edition Bike Tour
Chicago consistently ranks at the top for both walking and biking because it’s flat and easy to access. Bobby’s Bike Hike Tike Tour rides at a leisurely pace up from Chicago’s Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, stopping at attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo. It perfect for all skill levels (event those under the age of 10). Kid bikes, trailers, child seats, and tagalongs are available to accommodate your family’s specific needs.
OBSERVATION DECKS
Photo Courtesy of John Hancock Observatory
10. Catch The Views from 360 Chicago Observation Deck
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 360 Chicago Observation Deck offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s downtown skyline, Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago Lakefront as far as the eye can see. Interactive touch screens are positioned throughout the floor allowing you to learn about various landmarks visible from the attraction.
11. Thrill Seek at Skydeck Chicago
Journey to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, to arrive at Skydeck Chicago. Thrill seekers can also stand out on ‘The Ledge’ – glass balconies extending 4.3 feet outside the building. Tip: lines can be long (much longer that 360 Chicago Observation Deck), so you can pay a little extra for a “fast pass” which will help you skip some of the lines. Or, you an purchase an “early bird” admission ticket, which lets you visit the tower before it opens to the public in the morning.
MUSEUMS
Shedd Aquarium Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
12. Explore the Waters at the Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium has many terrific exhibits highlighting a wide variety of ecosystems and is home to 32,000 animals representing more than 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world. Some kid favorites include the penguins, piranhas, sharks and beluga whales. In the summer, the stingray touchpool is a hit with kids. Some exhibits cost a little bit more than the standard entry pass. The museum campus around the Shedd Aquarium offers some of the best views of the city, so prepared with your camera! The Shedd Aquarium website recommends purchasing tickets online and in advance in order to expedite your entry into the aquarium.
13. Meet Old Friends at the Field Museum
The Field Museum houses 40 million artifacts and specimens and is home to Sue, the largest, best-preserved T-Rex on the planet. Collections include the full range of existing biodiversity, gems, meteorites, fossils, as well as rich anthropological collections and cultural artifacts from around the globe. (Note: Sue will come down from her current mount in February 2018, and she’ll be unveiled in her new home in the spring of 2019. In Sue’s place, the museum will display a cast of the biggest dinosaur ever discovered, thanks to a $16.5 million gift from the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund, one of the largest private contributions ever to a Chicago museum.)
Alder Planetarium Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
14. Look Up at the Starts at The Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is a public museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics. It is the third museum on Chicago’s museum campus which includes the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. Visitors love the museum’s sky shows which are played in the museum’s high-resolution central dome theater. “The goal is to make you feel like you’re on the observation deck of a space station,” chief technology officer Doug Roberts says.3
15. Tinker at Chicago Children’s Museum
Located on Navy Pier since 1995, the Chicago Children’s Museum is now one of the city’s top cultural attractions and the second most visited children’s museum in the country.3 Some of the popular exhibits include The Tinkering Lab (a DIY maker-space), WaterWays (a sensory-rich world of water), Kids Town (and urban neighborhood with a mini grocery store and car wash), and Dinosaur Expedition (excavation pit). There is also an area dedicated to babies and toddlers.
Photo Courtesy of Chicago History Museum
16. Explore the City at the Chicago History Museum
Many of the exhibits about Chicago in this often overlooked museum are geared toward children. The Sensing Chicago exhibit allow kids to use sight, smell, and sound to experience Chicago history. The “Chicago: Crossroads of America” includes the first elevated train car and locomotive operated in Chicago; a replica of a jazz club; and fashions from historic Marshall Field’s on State Street. This museum will have you appreciating Chicago’s rich history in no time. Illinois Resident Children under 18 are free and non-Illinois resident children 12 and under are free.
17. Fly Over to Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
In a family friendly location in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is geared toward children. One of the most popular exhibits is the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, home to more than 1,000 butterflies. There are many interactive exhibits about the environment, planet and animals for kids to explore. Although you could spend a morning or afternoon here, this museum is smaller and generally less crowded than the other Chicago museums. Lincoln Park Zoo is also a short distance away if you are in the neighborhood.
Photo Courtesy of the Museum of Science+Industry Chicago
18. Discover it all at The Museum of Science and Industry
Situated south of Chicago’s downtown area, the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the largest science museums in the world. Designed for all ages, it is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. Popular exhibits include the coal mine ride, the U-505 submarine, the baby chick hatchery, Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle and Yesterday’s Main Street.
THEATER
Photo Courtesy Chicago Shakespeare Theater
19. Take in a Show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
If you plan to visit Navy Pier on your trip to Chicago, you may also want to check the schedule for children’s theater performances at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (also located on the Pier). In 2017, my 3- and 6-year old saw Madagascar and loved it! They still talk about the musical they saw in Chicago. In 2018, the theater is performing Peter Pan. Buy ticket in advance.
SHOPPING
20. Shop ‘Til You Drop Down Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place
Considered one of the world’s premier shopping districts, Chicago’s Michigan Avenue is often referred to as the “Magnificent Mile” or “Mag Mile.” Along the north end of Michigan Avenue lies Water Tower Place, a seven floor, vertical mall. The mall houses a variety of shops (Macys), but a very specific draw for young girls is American Girl Place. There is a well stocked food court on one of the lower levels to suit everyone’s tastes.
LIVE LIKE THE LOCALS
Green City Market Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
22. Explore Green City Market
Chicago’s Green City Market is the city’s largest year-round all-local farmers market. The Edible Garden, located in the Farm-in-the-Zoo and planted and maintained by Chicago’s Green City Market, lets kids experience hands-on lessons on the origins of food.
22. Walk and Shop the Southport Corridor
Heavily frequented by families and young professionals, Southport Avenue has developed over the past decade to include great restaurants, as well as brand name retailers (i.e. Free People, Anthropologie, Lululemon and Gap) and boutique shops. Enjoy breakfast at Southport Grocery (try the cupcake pancakes) or dine out for lunch or dinner at Crosby’s Kitchen (try the chicken dip sandwich).
23. Mini Golf at Diversey Driving Range
Still somewhat of a secret, this charming mini-golf spot has 18 holes with footbridges and waterfalls. Snap family photos as you work your way through the course (it’s suitable for all ages), then venture over to the adjacent Diversey Driving Range to hit a bucket of balls. The Chicago Lakefront path also cuts through the area, so you can walk in either direction for some awesome views of the city and/or lake.
Do you have any recommendations for fun things to do in Chicago with kids? If so, leave me a note in the comments! Looking for a place to Chicago? Read here to find out my favorite hotel in the Windy City.
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Editor’s Sources:
1: Wikipedia
2: Time Out Chicago
3: Chicago Children’s Museum
