Traveling with kids in Chicago
Chicago is a great city to have fun with your family. Your kids will love it, with the delicious deep-dish pizza and hotdogs, lakefront views, and world-class museums. Here is a guide outlining some of the many places in Chicago that you can take your family to on your next visit:
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 939-2438
A day at an aquarium is always a fun treat for the family. The Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium, holding over 700 aquatic species. Be sure to check out one of the shark feeding sessions, attend a dolphin presentation, or touch various aquatic critters at the Animal Encounters station, as these activities will surely be a hit with your kids! You and your family will be sure to enjoy a day at the aquarium among the many sea creatures.
Chicago Children's Theatre
1464 North Milwaukee Avenue
Second Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60622
(773) 227-0180
Be sure to take your family to the Children's Theatre, which holds many fun productions geared towards children. The plays are fantastic and are enjoyable by kids and adults alike. There are also great plays for children at the Adventure Stage Chicago at the Vittum Theater (1012 North Noble Street, Chicago, Illinois 60642), and the Rascal Children's Theater (5123 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60640773-561-5893). Explore many productions with your kids to give them a good introduction to theater!
Lincoln Park
There are tons of things to do with your family within Lincoln Park. Go for a walk, play in the playground, go for a bike ride or more. There is also a beach, a zoo, a nature museum and a conservatory to explore within Lincoln Park. The zoo is great, with two sections set apart just for kids, including the Pritzer Family Children's Zoo and the Farm-in-a-Zoo, where kids can feed and pet many farm animals. Rent a paddle boat and take a whirl around the Lincoln Park Lagoon! You can also rent a kayak or canoe if you are more adventurous. You could spend multiple days here and not get bored! Your kids will love it!
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60637
(773) 684-1414
The Museum of Science and Industry holds a range of exhibits that are fun for kids. Some of the highlights include a WWII German submarine, a baby-chick hatchery, and Omnimax Theater and a 3,000-square-foot running model railroad. If you have kids interested in outer space, they will be sure to enjoy the Henry Crown Space Center. Your kids will have fun at this museum, but will also learn a lot. What more can you ask for? The Museum also has fun food options at their Brain Food Court and Finnigan's Ice Cream Parlor. Have fun!
Art Institute of Chicago
111 Sout Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 443-3600
Take your kids to the Art Institute to learn about culture and art from over the years. This museum contains one of the largest art collections in the world, with an extensive collection of impressionist, American, and international art. A new Modern Art Wing is currently being added to the museum, which will no doubt prove to be as exquisite as the rest of the museum. The kids will especially enjoy the "touch" gallery where they can use their hands to explore sculptures from artists in different time periods. The museum also holds special classes for children such as the "mini masters" class, where they can learn about artwork and try an art project themselves. The Art Institute gives a great introduction to art for young beginnings!
Funhouse at Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 595-7437
Your kids will love the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze where they can travel through about 4000 square feet of twisty turny maze. It is great fun and makes a great addition to the day!
Read like a Rock Star
2255 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616
(312)-225-9000
Take your kids to a concert series at "Read like a Rock Star." It is very entertaining and is also education for kids of all ages. The music is fantastic!
Adler Planetarium
1300 Sout Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-7827
Another great option to bring the family within Chicago's Museum Campus is the Adler Planetarium. The museum has two planetarium theaters, holds a collection of historical astronomical artifacts, and also boasts several exhibits focused on up-to-date computer technology. The planetarium has the StarRider Theater, with provides a full-dome video projection. Your kids will enjoy wearing the 3-D glasses to view the Milky Way. A day at the planetarium will teach your kids a lot and entertain them!
Field Museum
1400 Sout Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 922-9410
The Field Museum is another exciting and educational museum to take your kids with its vast natural science collections. It boasts exhibits focused on animal biology, bird habitats, gems, African and Eskimo cultures, fossils and more. The kids will particularly love meeting "Sue," the world's largest T-Rex fossil and will also enjoy exploring the Nature Walk. For younger kids there is a Family PlayLab where they can dress up as animals, dig for dinasaur bones or perform in the art studio. They will love their day at the Field Museum!
Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(312) 642-4600
At the Chicago History Museum your kids will have fun while getting to learn about the history of Chicago. Your kids will enjoy walking through an old Chicago train, checking out the historical dioramas of the Chicago fire, listening to some Chicago jazz music, and finally making themselves into a giant hotdog with all the condiments. The Chicago History Museum is a great stop for your family!
You and your family will love visiting Chicago. Take your kids to one of these many great places and they will have a fun and education experience that they will never forget! Have fun!
Check out the following websites to get up-to-date advice on events in Chicago geared towards children:
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region /chicago-il-usa
http://www.chicagokids.com/
http://goc itykids.parentsconnect.com/region/chicago-il-usa
www. chicagotraveler.com/kids-things-to-do.htm