Things to see and do with kids in Chicago
The windy city may not at first glance seem like a city that
caters to the little ones, but children on holiday in Chicago will
find there are more than enough attractions and activities to keep
them busy.
On clear days, enjoy the panoramic views over the city form atop
the iconic Sears Tower, which was renamed the 'Willis Tower' on 16
July 2009, or the Hancock Observatory or enjoy a stroll through
Lincoln Park or the Chicago Botanic Gardens on a sunny day. When
it's really hot, head off to one of the many indoor playgrounds or
even the CoCo Key Water Resort where children can splash around for
hours in the massive water park. The Navy Pier is a great place to
walk along the docks and enjoy the spectacular views from the
Ferris wheel or even a ride on the carousel or the funhouse.
When the wind is blowing and the rain bucketing down, take the kids
to the any one of the fascinating and exciting museums Chicago has
to offer. With so many attractions on offer and plenty more lurking
round every corner, children on holiday in Chicago will be just as
enchanted with this city as their parents.
Field Museum
Chicago's awesome Field Museum of Natural History in Lake Shore
Drive is home to 'Sue', the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus
Rex fossil ever found. The dinosaur came to rest here after being
unearthed in South Dakota when the Museum bought her remains...
see full detailsLincoln Park
Lincoln Park, beginning at North Avenue and following the shore
of Lake Michigan northwards for several miles, is Chicago's largest
park. It contains several attractions, bathing beaches, a botanical
conservatory, golf course, grassy meadows, formal gardens and
sports fields. Pride of place is held...
see full detailsSix Flags Great America
Top of the list of attractions for families on holiday in
Chicago, the Six Flags Great America is a must for children of all
ages. Featuring some of the country's most exciting theme park
rides, such as the Dark Knight Coaster, Bedrock Boulder...
see full detailsShedd Aquarium
One of Chicago's best known attractions the Shedd, which opened
in 1930, remains the world's largest indoor aquarium. The octagonal
marble building houses more than 8,000 river, lake and sea
creatures. The main attraction is the Caribbean Coral Reef exhibit
and other marine habitat...
see full detailsNavy Pier
Situated on the lakefront, Navy Pier has developed into one of
the city's main tourist destinations, offering year-round
attractions, events and entertainment for the whole family. Navy
Pier encompasses acres of parks and gardens, shops, restaurants,
and numerous attractions and rides, as well as...
see full detailsSears Tower (Willis Tower)
'You haven't seen Chicago until you've seen it from the Skydeck'
is what many visitors will hear from locals and other tourists in
the city. The iconic Sears Tower was renamed on 16 July 2009 to the
'Willis Tower' and located on its...
see full detailsMillennium Park
Millennium Park is one of Chicago's most popular destinations
and is seen by Chicagoans as the crowning glory of their city. The
award-winning park is famous for its innovative architecture and
landscape design, featuring the work of several prominent artists,
architects and designers. The...
see full detailsAdler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
Located on Lake Michigan, the Adler is America's first
planetarium and is the only museum in the world with two full-size
planetarium theaters. The night sky has been visible from the
historic Sky Theatre since 1930, while the all-digital StarRider
Theatre is the first...
see full detailsHancock Observatory
The John Hancock building is Chicago's third highest skyscraper
with a distinctive x-bracing exterior skin, and its Observatory
competes with the facilities of the Sear's Tower Skydeck across
town in the Financial District. Located on the 94th floor 1,000
feet (305m) above street level,...
see full detailsChicago Children's Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum is a must for kids of all ages.
The museum offers three floors of interactive exhibits offering
plenty of hands-on fun. The main attraction at the museum is
without a doubt the three-storey tall replica of a 1850s Schooner.
The...
see full detailsChicago Botanic Gardens
A great place for families to unwind and relax with a picnic, is
the Chicago Botanic Gardens. With plenty of wide-open space for
kids to run around, the Botanic Gardens is one of Chicago's most
tranquil and beautiful attractions. During the summertime, the...
see full detailsCoCo Key Water Resort
This large indoor water park features 65,000 square-foot (6,038
sq-metre) of rides, slides, pools and tubes for children of all
ages to enjoy. Highlights at the CoCo Key Water resort include the
Coconut Grove Adventure River, Parrot's Perch, Loco's Lagoon Wave
Beach and the...
see full detailsMuseum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is by far one of the best
attractions for children in Chicago. Featuring a plethora if
exciting exhibits, kids will love exploring all the museum has to
offer. With an IMAX Theatre showing new films and educational
documentaries,...
see full details
