Chicago may be famous for its shopping on the Magnificent Mile, but it also has a wonderful array of fun things to do for kids and families.
At the top of the fun list is Chicago’s famous Museum of Science and Industry (57th Street and Lake Shore Drive). This is not your typical museum to go and see. It’s hands-on, interactive fun every time. Where else can a child climb aboard a World War II submarine, dive into a working coal mine, or work alongside robots in a toy factory? The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and more than 14 acres of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity (not to mention fun).
What kid doesn’t love a dinosaur? The Field Museum (also known as the Natural History Museum) has one of the most famous dinosaurs, Sue, the fossilized bones of the largest, most complete, and best preserved T. rex fossil ever discovered. As well as a dinosaur room with many more cool dinosaur things. Kids can also wander among ancient mummies and discover what life was like for the Egyptians 5,000 years ago, explore the earth beneath their feet and learn what it takes to live the life of a bug in Underground Adventure, or get an up-close look at their animals. favorites from around the world at the Nature Walk at the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr).
The Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N Clark St) is one of the best zoos in the world and the price is right: it’s free! Favorites at the zoo include the Seal Lion Pool with an underwater view, Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo with sidewalk fountains that randomly spray and squirt visitors, AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, Farm-in-the-Zoo, featuring a variety home demonstrations and freshly grown food, the Regenstein Center for African Apes where chimpanzees and gorillas can be seen exploring their outdoor habitats, the Regenstein Raptor Exhibit featuring a magnificent rescued bald eagle, the House of Kovler Penguins/Seabirds with an Underwater Observation Pool and McCormick Bear Habitat, where the sight of Polar Bears diving deep into their pool at their underwater observation window is always a crowd pleaser. The Lincoln Park Zoo includes several restaurants: Big Cats Café, Café Brauer and the Landmark Café.
For a high-altitude thrill, take the family to the Sears Tower Skydeck (233 S Wacker Dr), Chicago’s tallest observatory, or the Hancock Observatory at the John Hancock Center (875 N Michigan Ave). On a clear day, you can see four different states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin) from the Sears Tower Skywalk (1,353 feet) or the Hancock Observatory Skywalk (1,000 feet above the street). Or virtually travel through the heavens at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum (1300 South Lake Shore Dr), home to two full-size planetarium theaters, including the world’s first all-digital projection StarRider Theater, plus one of the most important ancient instruments in the world. collections
Dive (virtually) into the Shedd Aquarium (1200 S Lake Shore Dr), the world’s largest indoor aquarium. Enjoy a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community, spot dolphins and beluga whales, spot more than two dozen sharks in a 400,000-gallon habitat, or take an exotic trip to the Amazon, on an 8,600-foot flooded tour. square feet. forest that is home to 250 species, including a giant snake, poisonous ants, and 73 types of catfish.
For a kid-friendly tour of the Windy City, try the Chicago Trolley Tour (various locations), where you can enjoy a tour of the city’s highlights on a Chicago Trolley or Chicago Double Decker bus and hop on or Hop off any Trolley or Double Decker at scheduled stops to eat, shop, and see the sites. See the city from the water on the Wacky Pirate Cruise (400 N Michigan Ave), an hour of maritime fun complete with swashbuckling tales and songs. Seadog Speedboat Cruises (Navy Pier) offers a 30-minute speedboat lake tour and a 75-minute river and lake architecture tour.
Do you want to eat and have fun? There are many options in Chicago. Navy Pier (600 East Grand Ave) is one of the most popular. It offers a 15-story Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, the Children’s Museum of Chicago, lake cruises (Seadog speedboat cruises depart from the pier), and performances on the Pepsi Skyline Stage. Navy Pier has eight restaurants, as well as a large food court and many shops with everything from bikes to books and souvenirs to sunglasses. ESPN Zone (43 E Ohio St) is a sports, entertainment and dining venue featuring a Sports Arena for interactive sports and a Screening Room for viewing sporting events. Dave & Buster’s (1030 N. Clark) is a restaurant, bar and indoor playground with more than 200 games to choose from, from the classics to the latest and greatest interactive and video games.
Other family-friendly restaurants in Chicago include the Rainforest Café (605 N. Clark St), where a jungle theme includes sounds of waterfalls, thunder and lightning, and wild animals; Ed Debevic’s (640 N. Wells St), an ode to the diner with excellent burgers and shakes, plus waitresses who will (jokingly) insult; Wishbone (1001 W Washington Blvd), a southern-style restaurant with a children’s menu and an in-house picture book, “Floop the Fly” by the owner’s parents; Gino’s East (633 N. Wells St), Chicago’s famous pizzeria; Maggiano’s Little Italy (516 N Clark St), with hearty pasta dishes served family-style; Hot Doug’s (3324 N California) with the best hot dogs and sausages in town; or Harry Caray’s restaurant (33 W Kinzie St), named after the late Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster, almost a sports museum, replete with photographs, artwork, and autographed bats and balls.
