When traveling with kids to Chicago, the largest city in the state of Illinois, plan to meet dinosaurs, dolls, and dolphins, gaze at giant fountains and skyscrapers, and maybe even catch a foul ball at a Major League park. With kids, Chicago is one of the most exciting, entertaining, and educational travel destinations in the Midwest. The diversely cultural city offers families several venues, attractions, and fun-spots to explore all within the limits of a city populated by people who love their Chicago and sharing it with visitors.
Museums
Art Institute of Chicago (www.artic.edu) Free day: Tuesday
111 S. Michigan Avenue, 60603 * (312) 443-3600
Families with children can enjoy “Fantasy, Facts, & Furry Friends” with 40 original illustrations from Caldecott Medal of Honor Award books. Kids won’t want to miss a visit to the Kraft Education Center where they can make and take home their own crafts.
Chicago’s History Museum (www.chicagohistory.org) Free day: Monday
1601 N. Clark Street, 60614 * (312) 642-4600
Children, teens, and grownups alike will thrill to the Great Chicago Fire exhibit and the Sensing Chicago experience.
Field Museum of Natural History (www.fieldmuseum.org) Free day: Wednesday
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, 60605 * (312) 922-9410
Dinosaurs, mummies, fossils, and more, the Field Museum is home to the world’s largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton. Young children can have their own special experience as they dig in and play scientist in the
Crown Family PlayLab.
Museum of Science & Industry (www.msichicago.org) Free day: Thursday
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 60637 * (773) 684-1414
In addition to exhibits that include the U-505 submarine, the world’s largest pinball machine and the interactive communications and technology centers, this museum is home to the Idea Factory. The Idea Factory, designed specifically for children, infant to age 10, with each play and discovery area age specific. Kids can play, learn, and laugh with water wheels, big blocks, and more. For moms, a nursing room is available within the Idea Factory as well as a family bathroom.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (www.chias.org) Free day: Thursday
2430 N. Cannon Drive, 60614 * (773) 755-5100
A hands-on nature experience, this museum houses a collection of nearly 250,000 specimens including reptiles, mammals, fossils, minerals, insects, and birds. Children can touch live native Illinois animals, walk through the colorful butterfly exhibit, and play in the learning areas.
Aquariums, Wildlife and Nature
Adler Planetarium (www.adlerplanetarium.org) Free day: Tuesday
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, 60605 * (312) 922-7827 (STAR)
Its shows are “out of this world!” Family-fun workshops run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. for children ages 3 – 7 with accompanying adult.
Garfield Park Conservatory (www.garfield-conservatory.org)
300 N. Central Park Avenue, 60624 * (312) 746-5100
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden will delight all nature lovers. The Conservatory offers Morning Glories for Families a program for preschoolers plus parent on Monday mornings, year round. A $1 donation is requested. Free family programs include Exploration Stations and Family Make & Take on Saturdays and Sundays as well as Discovery Dig Wednesdays, January through April.
Lincoln Park Zoo (www.lpzoo.com)
2001 N. Clark Street, 60614 * (312) 742-2000
From penguins to lions to reptiles and zebras, the zoo is clean and family friendly and always free. Visit the Children’s Petting Zoo and the polar bears’ underwater viewing window.
Millennium Park (www.millenniumpark.org)
201 E. Randolph Street, 60601 (Welcome Center) * (312) 742-1168
Free, fun, and outdoors, the 24.5 acre park’s Welcome Center is in the northwest Exelon Pavilion.
Shedd Aquarium (www.sheddaquarium.org) Free day: Monday
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, 60605 * (312) 939-2438
The world’s largest indoor aquarium with more than 8,000 aquatic animals and Tots on Tuesdays: story-time, crafts, sing-a-longs and more for preschoolers ages 3 to 5.
Navy Pier plus attractions:
Navy Pier (www.navypier.com)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (312) 595-PIER or (800) 595-PIER
Historic Navy Pier is home to more than a dozen rides and attractions plus multi-cultural dining experiences and even fireworks. On Toddlin’ Thursdays, discount coupons can be found online for children.
Chicago’s Children Museum at Navy Pier (www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (312) 527-1000
An innovative, hands-on, and entertaining museum for kids ages infant through 10 and their family.
Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze at Navy Pier (www.amazingchicago.com)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (888) 893-7300
4,000 square feet of mazes, tunnels, and fun! Appropriate for all ages from baby to teen.
Pier Park at Navy Pier (www.navypier.com)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (312)595-PIER or (800) 595-PIER
Even baby can ride with a parent on the musical carousel in Pier Park. All ages can enjoy the 18-hole mini-golf course and remote control boats.
Free Entertainment on the Family Pavilion Stage at Navy Pier (www.navypier.com)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (312) 595-PIER or (800) 595-PIER
Catch performances by The Buccaneers and Patch the Navy Pier Mascot plus jugglers, magicians, and more for kids, teens and adults. Show times will vary.
Bike and Roll Chicago at Navy Pier (www.bikeand roll.com)
600 E. Grand Avenue, 60611 * (312) 729-1000
Families can rent carriage bikes, tandem bikes and even in-line skates for an energetic roll around the pier.
City Attractions
Buckingham Fountain (www.cpdit01.com)
Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park
(312) 742-PLAY (Chicago Park District)
Open 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., the fountain has 143 water jets and more than 800 lights.
Chinatown (www.chicago-chinatown.com)
Located between Canal Street & Lakeshore Drive from the Stevenson Expressway north to Santa Fe railroad yards. Several blocks of restaurants, trinket shops, bookstores, and bakeries with a little something for every family member.
Crown Fountain at Millennium Park (www.millenniumpark.org)
Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street and Monroe, 60601 * (312) 742-1168
A great place for the kids to frolic in the cascading waters on a hot city day.
Hancock Observatory (www.hancock-observatory.com)
875 N. Michigan Avenue, 60611 * (888)875-VIEW
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, kids and their families can use the Soundscope Talking Telescopes to check out the Magnificent Mile.
Sears Tower Skydeck (www.searstower.com) or (www.theskydeck.com)
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3530, 60606, Skydeck entrance is on Jackson Blvd.
(312) 875-9447
Chicago’s largest building at 1,450 feet, offers a kid-level display that extends around the entire Skydeck.
Places to Play
Bike Chicago at Millennium Park (www.chicagobikestation.com)
239 East Randolph Street, 60601 * (888) 245-3929
The best place in the park to rent tandem bikes, wagons, tag-a-longs, baby seats, kid bikes or inline skates.
McFetridge Sports Center (California Park) (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com)
3843 N. California Avenue, 60618 * (773) 478-2609
Chicago’s only indoor ice rink. Open skate is only $4 for kids 12 and under plus $3 skate rental. A perfect afternoon activity for the toddlers, teens, and moms and dads.
Room2Play (www.room2playchicago.com)
2255 S. Michigan Avenue, 60616 * (312) 225-9000
Learning and play center for infants, toddlers, and elementary school age children. Single-use passes are $12 but children under one are free. Reservations not required for open play.
12th Street Beach
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, 60605 * (312) 742-5121
A great family beach near the Adler Planetarium with a new beach house, nature center, and conservatory.
Family Friendly Dining
American Girl Place (www.americangirl.com)
835 N. Michigan Avenue, 60611 * (877) 247-5223
Shop and then enjoy a meal at the American Girl Cafe. Bring your doll!
Ed Debevic’s (www.eddebevics.com)
640 N. Wells Street, 60610 * (312) 664-1707
50’s style diner with burgers, laughs, and sass!
Uno’s (www.unos.com)
619 N. Wabash Avenue, 60611 and 29 E. Ohio Avenue, 60611
(312) 943-2400 (Wabash) and (312) 321-1000 (Ohio)
World-famous Chicago deep-dish pizza.
It’s easy to keep kids of all ages entertained and happy when traveling to a diverse city like Chicago. Don’t forget to stroll the miles of Lake Michigan beaches or take in a game at Wrigley Field or U.S. Cellular Stadium. Play, laugh, learn, and love the city on the lake, the Windy City, Chicago.
