If you’re looking for an accessible city to visit for a few days with the whole family, consider Chicago. As one of America’s largest cities, it’s no surprise to find a wide variety of things to see and do while you’re in town, including plenty of activities perfect for kids. From educational museums to outdoor adventures, sports games to shopping, there’s no chance you’ll find yourself bored – instead, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to cut from your itinerary.
Need a little inspiration for your Chicago stay? Here are some of the best kid-friendly Chicago attractions you’ll find today:
Stop by Navy Pier Chicago for a Few Hours of Fun
Perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful summer day. The Pier’s trademark attraction is the Centennial Wheel, a Ferris wheel that takes riders soaring fifteen stories above the ground. You’ll be treated to incredible views and excellent photo ops along the way.
But that’s not all you’ll find to do at the Navy Pier! As one of Chicago’s premier attractions, the Pier is home to a number of other carnival rides and games, which your kids will love, along with some fun shops and tasty restaurants. You can easily spend a few hours – if not a whole day – hanging out here.
Catch a Baseball Game
If you’re in town during baseball season, watching a game together can be a great way to make memories during your trip. Both the Cubs and the White Sox call Chicago home, so as long as you aren’t loyal to either team, you’ll have a couple of options. Either way, you’ll have a ton of fun snacking on popcorn and hotdogs and watching the big game.
Visit the Field Museum
Spending a few hours in a museum can be a great way to break up your day and escape the heat or cold, depending on the season you choose to visit. While Chicago is home to more world-class museums than I can list here, the Field Museum rises above the rest as one of the best. There, you’ll find the best-preserved T-Rex skeleton in the world, along with many engaging exhibits to keep you and your crew busy.
Let ‘Em Shop ‘Til They Drop Along the Magnificent Mile
Chicago is well-known for the Magnificent Mile, a shopping district that offers a vast variety of places to purchase everything from clothes and toys to technology and more. If your daughter loves her American Girl doll, you won’t be able to escape without a stop at the American Girl Palace. You’ll also find the Disney Store here, selling products and toys that celebrate your kiddo’s favorite characters.
Explore One of Chicago’s Two Zoos
Chicago is home to both the Lincoln Park Zoo and Rides and Brookfield Zoo. Brookfield Zoo is the larger of the two and is home to all kinds of critters, from big cats to butterflies. Kids will love the giraffe feeding, penguin encounters, and the Hamill Family Play Zoo, an interactive play area geared towards kids under ten.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is a smaller attraction, but despite its size, it’s still home to an excellent assortment of animals. Your little ones will love watching everything from the larger creatures, like lions and gorillas, to little critters like hedgehogs and geckos.
I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of all the kid-friendly things there are to see and do in Chicago. Still, these are some of my favorite ways to enjoy the city with kids. Add these items to your upcoming itinerary, or do a bit of research and see what else is out there!
