With museums, theatre and outdoor fun galore, Chicago is a happening destination packed with family attractions for travelers of all ages. Even during the pandemic, things are buzzing safely and with distance. You can also plan a visit at any time of year — it’s never too windy in our book. So even if the Obamas showed you all of their favorite Chicago haunts, read on and you may learn about a few more attractions from us. And don’t forget that discount ticket booklet; you can save 49% on Chicago’s best attractions with CityPASS, and drop the savings while shopping on Miracle Mile. For more general information, contact Choose Chicago Tourism.
Great Fun for the Kids
(Toddler to Age 8)
Model Railroad Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022
847/835-5440
This summer-only display is irresistible, because the “Landmarks of America” exhibition has 18 garden-scale trains traveling on 17 tracks, over 26 bridges, and past 50 miniature landmarks. Come see the Southern Pacific Daylight, the Chicago Northwestern Commuter (known as a fallen flag line), the Union Pacific and every child’s favorite, Thomas the Tank Engine.
Chicago Children’s Museum
700 East Grand Avenue at North Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60611
312/527-1000
Take the kids to this museum and you can all explore. There are a great number of exhibits catering to preschoolers, such as the Waterways playroom and the BIG Backyard (an urban garden with giant insects and interactive flowers). The Dinosaur Expedition is modeled after the 1997 Saharan expedition and features an authentic excavation pit. KidsTown is great for young tots while the Tinkering Lab and Unboxed (which invites kids to create with cardboard) are for slightly older kids. This museum also has permanent exhibits on science, art, and bathrooms filled with facts about local inventions, such as roller skates, the zipper, and Cracker Jacks. If you are in town on Thursdays make sure to take advantage of Free Family Night for all, and on the First Sunday of each month, kids play and explore for free.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
312/742-2000
A welcome respite from bustling downtown, the nation’s oldest zoo rests on 35 acres of parkland in the heart of the city. Besides an animal collection that’s a real treat in nice weather, there is the Lincoln Pritzker Children’s Zoo featuring a Walk in the Woods exhibit recreating the woodlands of North America with native creatures, such as the River Otter and American Beaver. With one of the largest zoo-based Conservation and Science Centers, many exhibits encourage visitors to learn by not only viewing, but by participating. In the Farm-in-the-Zoo, for instance, you can feed and milk the cows, as well as watch the daily milking demonstrations. There is also a farmhouse kitchen where guests can learn where food comes from. Did we mention that admission is always free?
Lifeline Theatre
6912 North Glenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
773/761-4477
Besides the MainStage, The KidSeries are special-for-children productions including a regular schedule of new productions, classic tales or musicals based on children’s books, ranging from “Lyle Lyle Crocodile” to “The Mystery of Priate Ghost” and “The Emperor’s New Threads.”
Fun for Older Children
(Up to Age 18)
Make a bee-line for Museum Campus, a pedestrian-friendly area which is home to the following three renowned museums:
Field Museum of Natural History
1400 South Lake Shore Drive (at Roosevelt Road)
Chicago, IL 60605
312/922-9410
This world-class museum has hands-on exhibits to help kids discover the ancient worlds of dinosaurs (Sue, the largest T-Rex skeleton ever found, is out for restoration until spring 2019) as well as Egyptian mummies, and extinct civilizations. Your family will learn about the power of volcanoes, the habitats of exotic mammals, and different types of birds. Special Family Adventure Tours can be picked up at the Inforamation Desk or downloaded from their web site.There’s so much to see here — don’t try to do it all in one day.
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
312/939-2438
Home to over 32,500 animals, Shedd is the world’s largest indoor aquarium. The Oceanarium recreates a Pacific Northwest coastal habitat for Beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters and harbor seals, all seen through underwater viewing windows. In the main aquarium, habitats from all over the globe are represented. Take your time in the Amazon Rising exhibit and admire nine 3-D sculptural artworks made from beach waste and recycled materials chosen by WashedAshore.org — kids can pause and get their “Sculpture Passport” stamped at each one. The Shedd is much more than fish swimming behind glass; the museum’s exhibits range from dioramas of preserved animals to multimedia presentations, live encounters at touch tanks, exhibits of natural history and marine life, and periodic “Sleep with the Fishes” overnights for families.
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2403
312/922-7827
When the Adler reopens with safety protocols in place, you’ll once again journey into space through display galleries. Our favorite? Look for the astronaut potty. Take in some of the nine different shows in the planetarium. “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” is, as you can imagine, a universal hit with the Pre-K crowd. Don’t miss the telescope out back; docents are there to explain just how much you can see in broad daylight.
Museum of Science + Industry
5700 Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street
Chicago, IL 60637-1414
773/684-1414
A thorough look at how things work, with over 25 exhibits designed for hands-on interaction. Our favorites are the coal mine tour which make you feel as if you are 600-feet below the surface, the chick hatchery where you can actually watch chicks hatch and hop around, and a genetics exhibit explaining the mysteries of DNA and a number of genetically modified creatures (nothing grotesque). The Great Train Story includes interactive exhibits and realistic terrain with trains, structures, bridges and skylines that help visitors explore rail operations on a trip from Chicago to Seattle. The remarkable YOU! the Experience permanent installation allows families to explore all aspects of the body in depth by using state-of-the-art multi-media. Plan on catching some of the fascinating traveling shows as well.
Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust and Oak Park Tours
951 Chicago Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
312/994-4000
If there’s a budding architect in your family, don’t miss the birthplace of Prairie Style architecture at sites in and near Chicago. First, tour the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in nearby Oak Park. This was Wright’s architectural laboratory from 1898 to 1909, where he lived, worked and designed more than 150 buildings. The Trust’s Oak Park Tour is for architecture buffs who want to combine fresh air with their house tour. Given only between April and October on fair weather days, the bike tours cover about 4 miles of pretty Oak Park in two hours, stopping outside several homes. Now worth several million dollars each, the homes were built by affluent and forward-thinking Chicagoans between 1893 and the Great Depression, becoming the world’s greatest showcase of Wright’s work. Back in town, the 1909 Frederick C. Robie House, located on the campus of the University of Chicago, and described by Wright as “the cornerstone of modern architecture,” is open limited hours for touring.
Fun for the Whole Family
Touring Chicago by Boat and Land
Visit the city between April and November, and you’ll be able to appreciate the stunning skyline from down below, on cruises along the Chicago River. Volunteer guides narrate the 90-minute Chicago Architecture Foundation cruises run by the family-owned First Lady Cruise Company. They depart several times daily from Riverwalk just below the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Unlike competitors’ more general interest cruises, knowledgeable guides talk in depth about architects, building styles and engineering accomplishments which will enthrall the Bob-the-Builders in the family and possibly bore others. Another boating option is the Chicago’s Mercury Canine Cruise, a pooch-oriented, water-borne look — with your pet – -at the city’s dog parks, favorite runs, pet stores and more. Be sure to pick up a free River Cruise Map & Guide brochure to use as you sightsee around the city.
Land tours include a D-I-Y tour on one of the city bikes, or a guided bike tours offered by rental companies at various locations in the parks and on the waterfront. Magic Carpet Glide Segway Tours, urban touring on brilliant, two-wheeled personal mobility devices, provide a novel and fun way to see a city, especially for folks with walking limitations. Children must be at least 12. Frank Lloyd Wright fans need to head out of the city to the suburb of Oak Park (accessible by train) for a guided bike or walking tour of his many early works. A real treat.
360 Chicago
875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312/751-3680, 888/875-VIEW
One of most stunning urban views around, particularly at night, 360 Chicago is the Observatory of John Hancock Center. Telescopes enable you to see Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin on a clear day. For an extra thrill from 1,000 feet above the ground, get tickets to Tilt, an 8-person attraction in a glass alcove that extends out from the building facade and tilts down, so you can ‘float’ over the view.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
312/443-3600
The huge, influential collection dating back to 3000 B.C., plus its special blockbuster shows, make this a worthwhile stop on almost any visit. The museum houses 5,000 paintings and 4,000 sculptures from America, Europe, Africa and Asia, plus photography, prints and drawings, textiles and exhibits on architecture and design. Younger kids will ogle the Thorne Miniature Rooms (68 model rooms with impeccable tiny reproductions), the collection of Arms and Armor, and the Picture Book Gallery which presents original art from children’s literature. The add-on modern wing has made this museum more comprehensive and given visitors a reason to return a second day. Be sure to enquire about the Touch Gallery, designed for the blind, plus family activities running daily in the Family Center on the ground floor.
Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312/595-PIER, 800/595-PIER
Recently celebrating its 100th anniversary as a shipping and recreational facility, Navy Pier has undergone renovations and reimaginings. With the addition of the chic Sable Hotel, it’s transitioning to a new role. Located on Lake Michigan, the “pier” encompasses more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, the fabulous Children’s Museum (described above), and the 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, together welcoming 9 million visitors a year. Stop by for a special event, to see a performance, visit the food court, enjoy the breezes off Lake Michigan, use your phone for an audio “chat” with a bronze celebrity statue seated outside, or study the many environmental provisions that are transforming the shoreline. The Polk Bros Park, with its outdoor water play fountains, is a treat for all ages.
Loop “The Loop” Elevated Trains
312/922-3432
Since November of 1897, trains on the Inner Loop have been transporting both Chicagoans and tourists on elevated tracks above Wabash, Van Buren, Wells and Lake Streets. You can always board an elevated train on your own, but we like the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s tours. Downtown by “L” and Chicago’s South Side by “L” provide commentary on the architectural treasures seen en route, as well as a brief history of this public transportation marvel.
Grant Park
331 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
312/742-7648
Another enticing way to take a breather in the busy city, this expansive green space, the principal downtown park, contains tennis courts and softball fields. The dramatic Buckingham Fountain is worth a look. Large-scale public events, such as the summer Blues Festival, occasionally bring the bustle into the park. The north side of Grant Park expands into the pretty, contemporary Millenium Park, complete with an ice rink, a theater, an outdoor music pavilion and Anish Kapoor’s signature “Cloudgate,” a silver sculpture fondly known as “The Bean”. A footbridge designed by Frank Gehry connects the two parks.
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Sky Deck at The Willis Tower
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
312/875-9447
At 110 floors, 1,450 feet high, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Building) is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere. Its observation deck allows families the chance to see the best of Chicago from all angles. On a clear day, the Sky Deck, at 1,353-feet-high offers a view 40-50 miles away, which means Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois are all visible as long as you walk around the deck. The Sky Deck tour includes a scavenger hunt for kids in which they can use binoculars and try to locate different sites in the Chicago area. The Ledge is a plexiglas box jutting four feet out from the building, in which you can stand and look straight down a quarter-mile above the pavement. There are three of these and they’re wildly popular for photo-ops but only if you dare…
Tour Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs
1060 West Addison
Chicago, IL 60613
800-THE-CUBS
The Wrigley Field Tour is a fun, two-hour love affair with the Chicago Cubs baseball team, who won the World Series for the first time in 107 years in 2016. (Chicagoans actually don’t think it counted because the winning game was an away one, not played at Wrigley Field.) There’s much more to learn here, hundreds of portraits of baseball greats, memorabilia, and local guides like Zachary — his anecdotes of the Bleacher Bums who sat through years of losing games is priceless.
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Dr. Artinian, thank you so much for posting that memory. How exciting it must have been, to share the skies with Apollo 11. I agree that today it seems like a remarkable achievement but of course we have not worked together, so hard for so long, on other projects that really need to be addressed. Education is one place to start!
The Lunar Landings
As I was landing in the northern desert of Saudi Arabia in a DC3 plane on July 20, 1969, the Americans were landing on the moon. That evening, the staff of Badana Base Hospital, that belonged to the Trans Arabian Pipeline Company (Tapline), were listening to the news, (Television was not available in the desert). They welcomed me as the new Internist at the hospital.
Soon I learned that the Saudis found it hard to believe that human beings could defile the moon by landing on it, which could have initiated the moon landing conspiracy theories, that persist today.
Now, 50 years later, the lunar landings were, and remain, the greatest achievement of humanity since the birth of intelligence on earth!
Boghos L. Artinian MD
Great information while traveling with children. Children safety first.
I want to do a car trip with my infant child and wife. But, I was afraid how can I travel with my infant child. After reading your blog I got some courage. Thanks for sharing such information. Thanks a lot.
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CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, NEW YORK
The Corning Museum of Glass – the world’s largest collection of glass – is showing “Journey to the Moon: How Glass Got Us There” and actual glassy pieces of moon meteorites to touch and see. For scavenger buffs, visitors to the museum can test their super-sleuthing skills and see if they can find the glass-tronaut hidden amongst the galleries.
Awesome Article!
Thanks for sharing..
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON TO TEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH IN SPACE OVEN
In a partnership with Zero G Kitchen which is supplying a prototype space oven, and NanoRacks, a commercial space station company, Hilton’s DoubleTree brand is aiding efforts to bring freshly cooked food to the International Space Station. Some time in late 2019, their cookie dough hopes to be the source of the first fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie in space. Here’s more info about this and a cool student competition sponsored by Scholastic.
ok, thanks for the reply!
Thanks for sharing this! you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people.
Indeed, a good list. Everyday. At home or on the road.
hi Heather,
Thanks for your comment. We checked on those images and you’re right, that one with the pirate ship in the pool is not from the Bahia Resort. We removed it and checked the others, and the Bahia still has their famous Moorish style pool and pretty beachfront. Hope you have a great trip there.
Thank you Lisa d. So glad that Laura’s review of both Fairmont resorts helped you to make a choice, especially since you can’t really go wrong in Bermuda.
thank you I have been deciding between the two properties and your post was very helpful in my decision.
One of the pictures with a slide doesn’t look like the pool I remember seeing at the bahia. Did they add a new pool?
Dubai is an amazing destination for tourists from across the world. The city tour, desert safari and dhow cruise are among the most famous things to do in Dubai.
Thank you for sharing a really useful and informative article. The way you have detailed and described is really helpful. Hope to see more amazing articles like this. Keep it up to the good work!
Spring Break in Dubai is more exciting with Adventure Plus Desert Safari Dubai tours in Dubai
Great suggestions! The only action item Id say “Oh Hayyllll Nawww” to would be horse-drawn carriage rides. Check out the internet and youll see whats going on with those poor horses. But your other ideas for educational and just-plain fun – really excited to try them out with the family! Thank again.
Hello Omar and Katie,
The Scholasrship Submission form is working again, please revisit the page: https://myfamilytravels.com/Teen_travel_writing to apply for the 2019 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship.
Thanks and good luck!
I would love to participate but I keep getting page not found
Hello Omar, thank you for your note. We have noted this error and our web development team is working to fix it right away. We will let you know when it’s working again. Good luck!
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I am very interested in participating in this scholarship opportunity. However, every time I click on the essay submission form, it takes me to a ‘Page not found’ link and says that there is an error with the link. Is there another link that I could possibly submit my essay and photos?
I had a travel blog in the past. But I was going through a rough phase so I shut it down. This article has inspired me to start once again.
SCHLITTERBAHN OPENS INFINITY RACERS, A MAJOR SPACE-THEMED WATERSLIDE
June 7, Colonel Terry Virts, a U.S. Air Force test/fighter pilot and NASA veteran of two spaceflights, will dedicate the newest, only one of its kind, 8-story-tall waterslide at Schlitterbahn Galveston. Infinity Racers is a pair of space-themed, racing head-first mat slides that race through enclosed colorful tubes as long as three space stations.
Nice Post. Thanks for Sharing with us……
Right?? It’s like a dream. I really didn’t believe them at all when I heard that, but looked it up, and sure enough, it’s really that sunny! I can’t wait to head back to the area.
I’m not sure as the rates tend to vary depending on the season. It’s probably best to contact them directly – (727) 363-5100. If you’re curious about their overall rates, I would ask if the rate changes depending on the season, and when their high and low season is. Hope that helps!
I remember visiting KSC during my school days with my friends where we got to learn a lot of interesting things related to space and comsos.
My husband and I are actually scheduled to stay at the Sirata Resort, in just a few days. I was wondering, if you happened to know the cost for the Private Cabana Rentals, you mentioned in your article?? Thank You!!
great useful info you have shared , being a traveler i need it most and it’s really helpful for the first time travelers. thanks for sharing.
I think curious teens would love this road trip. If you schedule enough time for Santa Cruz — which has a great amusement park and places to take surf lessons, that could be a 2-3 day stay for you. Going south, the Hearst Castle with all its tales of intrigue and the story of William Randolph Hearst’s life… it’s pretty fun as house tours go.
The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful, too, if you think your son would enjoy that. At many points, he can look out and see surfers! Towns like San Luis Obispo (now hip enough that locals call it SLO) have become destinations for wine and craft beers, so there are lots of cafes with young people that are fun, even if you’re not drinking.
The whole California coast is special, so ask your son to do some research and pick out spots that interest him, then incorporate them into your itinerary. That way, he’ll have a vested interest in making sure the trip is fun.
Do you think a 13 yr old would like this trip?
MALDIVES AND THE MOON FOR OUR PACIFIC FRIENDS
This just in from the Maldives:
Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives has the largest telescope and observatory in the Indian Ocean so it’s slated as one of the best places in the southern hemisphere to observe and study the stars, planets and the moon. And it’s the moon that is taking centre stage for festivities on July 20th as Anantara Kihavah commemorates the 50th anniversary of man’s landing on the moon. To celebrate, Anantara guests are invited to join Shameem, the islands’ resident Star Guru for a ‘Star Gazing’ breakfast. Lay back to gaze at the stars that glitter overhead, and be regaled by Shameem’s knowledge as he takes you on an intergalactic journey before taking a look through the powerful telescope at the craters on the moon that still amaze people 50 years after the first landing.
For guests who like a later start to the day the SKY Bartenders at Kihavah have created a complimentary cocktail for all guests to mark the occasion – The ‘Buzz’ Aldrin ……
Dubai is an awesome place to spend a great time with the loved one or alone be experiencing the local attractions. Thanks for the details, i have missed the dinner night which i will surely book this time and experience it. Keep posting!
I would definitely go for JURASSIC DINOSAUR DIG. Thanks for suggestions
So many good suggestions! It will be hard to choose but surely through these we will have the most beautiful memories in this summer vacation!
361 days of sunshine a year? Wow! It looks like it’s a perfect destination for families! I’ll be more interested in this place!
Glad that you have a great time and a better idea of Vietnam. If you came back, consider visiting Ninh Binh
We are a family who likes to travel and volunteer where possible. We give gifts of time and service. We find that finding small grass roots organisations when on the ground or at your destination creates the best win-win for all concerned. For example we taught English in a small village in Indonesia – https://sabretoothedchickenstour.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/it-takes-a-village/
In the end it is not the actual work you do as a volunteer that is of the greatest impact but the stereotypes you breakdown and the connections made 🙂
Camping holidays in France are extremely popular and you’ll find some fantastic family friendly campsites with a whole host of activities including some brilliant swimming pools.
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE SUMMER MOON FESTIVAL
We’ve just heard that the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a summer filled with flight and space-themed exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, installations and a new film. The celebration kicks off on May 17 with Apollo 11: First Steps Edition, a film with never-before-seen footage and audio recordings of the historic mission. Other highlights include NYSCI’s summer exhibition, Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition, and Apollo, A Party!, an evening event celebrating the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Check out their schedule for tons of workshops and special family events and go in to see a real Saturn V rocket like the one that took Apollo to the moon.
Man on the Moon in Zurich
The art exhibition “Fly Me to the Moon: The Moon Landing 50 Years On” will be featured at Kunsthaus Zurich in Switzerland, from May 4-June 30. The art show examines how the moon landing, and seeing images of the Earth from far away, changed man’s perception of his place in his environment and the universe. Look for moon works by artists John Russell, Rene Burri, Rene Magritte, Andy Warhol and many more.
Moon Walk Celebration in Ohio!
In southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills region, the John Glenn Astronomy Park (JGAP) is celebrating its first birthday, while marking the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. The observatory has 12 telescopes that offer dark sky views due to a lack of light pollution, allowing visitors to discover a distinct view of the moons, planets, stars and galaxies at each visit. The #Apollo50 events begin at 4 p.m. EDT July 20, 2019 and end at 1 a.m. July 21, 2019.
Nice post. I am traveler and I like adventure trips. Its really amazing. I wish to go there one by one. Thanks for sharing about these parks.
Thank you for useful information. It is very detailed.
Traveling with kids is fun but also very tired as we have to take care of them and don’t have much time for ourselves. Sometime I prefer traveling alone.