Chicago

We live only 2 1/2 hours from Chicago so we've visited several times.  Here are some of our favorite things to do in the windy city with kids.

#1 Maggie Daily Park 

So this place is free.  It's an absolute blast.  The kids love this inner city park.  It's part of Millennium Park.  So we love seeing the big bean when we come to visit. 

If you visit in the warmer months they have water features in the park too.

Millennium Park 

#2 The Children's Museum at Navy Pier

First of all let's just talk about Navy Pier!  It's fantastic.  They have tons of restaurants, a Ferris Wheel that offers great views of the city, and the Children's Museum is inside.  The museum has several evenings in the month that it is discounted and that's when we visited. It is also reciprocal with certain children museum memberships. There is so much to do there.  Kids can climb, play with water, pretend play and so much more.  It is a great place to visit. 

The Navy Pier Ferris Wheel 

The Ferris wheel gives a great view of the city 

They have a great dino dig area 

The fire station area is great

The kids loved the climbing structure

The building area is a lot of fun too.

The water play area is great

#3 Water Tower Place 

The kids ask every time we go if we can include this on our itinerary.  Because of the American Girl Doll Store and the Lego Store.  They love it.  Even if we don't buy anything they love playing with the legos that are out and seeing all the different American girl dolls.

Water tower 

Lego store 

Lego Store

#4 Shedd Aquarium 

So to be honest Shedd Aquarium did not wow us.  It's expensive and although they have some great exhibits we've seen better aquariums in the country.  It's still a neat place just not our favorite. 

Shedd aquarium 

Shedd Aquarium 

Shedd Aquarium 

#5 The Museum of Science and industry 

We LOVE this museum!  It's an ASTC reciprocal museum.  Which means it's a freebie for us.  They have a great hands on area that's so much fun.  Their weather exhibit is always a favorite.  The kids like playing with the tornado.  They train area has been a favorite of our youngest.  And the German U boat and it's exhibits are super cool.  This is defiantly worth a trip!  They have a great place to indoor picnic your sack lunch to.  I can't say enough good things about this museum.

The hands on play area

The German U boat exhibit

Hands on play area 

The weather exhibit

The train display

#6 The Brooklyn Zoo 

So many people like the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago but the Brookfield Zoo is so much better.  And if you happen to be there in the fall they have free weekdays.  Our favorite thing about this zoo is it's dolphin shows they are really good.  Defiantly better than Shedd's shows.  Their animals are great to. The have a section where you can walk with Emu's and Wallabies. It's a wonderful place.  We did bring our own food in because it's pricy but that's true of all zoos.  

Open enclosures are so cool 

Their amazing dolphin shows

Walking with an Emu

#7 Broadway 

You can get some amazing deals in Chicago on midweek shows.  Every kid should have the opportunity to see a Broadway show.  Or for a mom's getaway weekend.

Hamilton in Chicago with my good friend Angie.  Happy mother's day to us.

#8 Field Museum

The field museum is another freebie if you have an ASTC membership.  And it is a great place to visit.  They have a hands on play area for kids in the basement and as the kids get older they have touch screens and museum employees that will have different things to show the kids on carts.  We love all the rocks and minerals and the walk through geological time.  So many great things to see here.

The main floor

Playing in the kids area 

Caiden enjoying all the super cool fossils 

Hands on fun 

employees engaging with the kids  

This kids love geological time periods 

The native American displays

More hands on fun 

Their ancient Egypt exhibit is pretty amazing.

#9 AT&T store 

One of my favorite things to do in a big city is visit their AT&T store.  They often have themes running in the store.  When I was in the city for my mom's weekend away they were doing a Game of Thrones theme.  It was so much fun.  Just check with the store in advance to see what their theme is.

#10 Oriental Institute Museum

For anyone that loves ancient history this is a MUST!!!  There is not a lot here for younger children.  But some amazing displays that are so worth seeing if you know about ancient cultures.  This museum is by donation and its on the University of Chicago's campus.  If you visit on the weekends word is you can get a free parking spot.  

Lamassu from Assyria 

 

From the Ishtar gates of Babylon

From ancient Persia 

From king Tutu's tomb 

#11 The Signature Room- So this is probably the best tip I can give you.  The observation deck in Chicago is REALLY expensive and usually really crowed.  Let me offer a way better solution.  The Signature Room is close to the same height as the observation deck.  You can order a cheap appetizer and share it as a family and enjoy the lovely view with no line and in a way more relaxing atmosphere.  It's a great way to see the city.

If you want to splurge the tilt 360 is expensive but it is a lot of fun.  It's in the same building as Signature room.  They tilt you down towards the ground.   Our kids did love this one. 

#12 Take public transportation

Of all the fun things you do in the city this may be the thing your kids remember the most.  Ride the bus, take the subway.  Experience the city how most folks who live there experience it. 

Looking out the window of a bus

The kids were so excited to meet a real conductor

#13 Visit the Pilsen neighborhood.  This is the Mexican district and it is rated one of the top ten coolest neighborhoods in the world.  The district is full of colorful murals.  The manhole covers have the Aztec calendar on them. The district is full of art, coffee shops, delicious restaurants, and cool shops. 

Pilsen Neighborhood coffee shop (Jumping Bean)

Manhole covers in Pilsen 

Jumping bean coffee tables

Pilsen art 

#14 Chinatown- My kids love Chinese food and Boba Tea so this is always a fun neighborhood for us to enjoy. Parking is cheap or free.  It's a fun area to explore.  

#15 Chicago style pizza - Our family's favorite is Giordanos.  We love food and eat a lot but trust me this pizza is supper filling.  2 smalls is enough to feed our family.