Mentioned by Leisure Pass Group
15+ Things to Do in Chicago with Kids for an Amazing Trip
"The Museum of Contemporary Art provides free museum days in Chicago every single Tuesday for Illinois residents. Always free for those under 18, MCA members, or who are members of the military, police, or fire department. And here’s a secret: year-round general admission is suggested."
"Museum of Contemporary Art With an ever-changing set of temporary exhibitions, you never really know what you’re going to get at this museum. It’s good for modern art lovers but sometimes verges on just being weird."
"At Peggy Notebaert, Children are connected to nature and science through the museum’s hands-on exhibits, family events and education programming. Learn about the specimen and archival collections: birds, eggs and nests; mammals; amphibians and reptiles; insects and spiders; fossils and more. You'll find an indoor treehouse that can be climbed on and in to learn about animal habitats (there’s even a crow’s nest at the top)."
"Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is one of the top things to do in Chicago with kids. Located in Lincoln Park museum, this is a great museum that creates hands-on experiences for the kids to enjoy themselves as well as learn something along the way. The museum is an informative curation of Illinois’ natural history and ecology."
"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."
"Washington ParkCelebrate the achievements of African-Americans in the past and present Named for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian who is credited for establishing Chicago in 1779, the DuSable Museum of African-American History celebrates African-American history, culture, and art through world-class exhibits and programming, including permanent exhibits highlighting African-Americans in the military and telling the story of the African-American experience, from the Transatlantic Slave Trade through Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, and the US’s first black president. What to know before you go: The DuSable Museum of African-American History is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $3 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and younger, with discounts for Chicago residents and free admission every Tuesday."
"Every Tuesday throughout the year, The DuSable Museum of African American History offers free admission to its Chicago museum. Children under 5 and DuSable members are also free."
"Finish your ride at the waterfront behind the Alder Planetarium, for your very last photography stop. With dreamy views of the skyline framed by the glittering lake, it’s considered one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset and makes for the perfect ending to a whirlwind Chicago getaway."
"The Adler Planetarium has a lot to offer curious visitors. With nine special exhibits, multiple theaters, and the historic Atwood Sphere experience, you’ll enjoy a plethora of things to do, whether you’re traveling with kids or a group of adults."
"Taking you on a journey through the stars to unlock the mysteries of our galaxy and beyond, the Adler tells amazing stories of space…"
"If you’re still trying to diet in this pandemic, well you should definitely avoid following Stan’s Donuts & Coffee’s Instagram, because one look at their photos will completely override any self discipline you thought you had. More importantly, Stan’s has the flavor to back it up. Featured flavors include: Biscoff Banana Pockets, Glazed Pretzels, Lemon-Pistachio Old Fashioneds, and their new Caramel Marshmallow Pockets."
"We like going to Stan’s when we want a lot of variety or a donut that sounds like it was created by an eight-year-old. For example, they have a caramel marshmallow, Cap’n crunch, and our personal favorite, the biscoff (a.k.a. cookie butter-filled) pocket. If you don’t feel like feeding your inner child, consider ordering something like their pretzel-glazed or the pistachio old fashioned."
"The Goat team decided that having 84 great West Loop restaurants wasn’t good enough, so they opened Sugargoat in the space next to Little Goat Diner. It’s a dessert shop specializing in treats with fun flavor combinations. So you can get things like pickled raisin oatmeal cookies, a gjetost apple pie, or Cheez-it cake filled with cheddar caramel and topped with strawberry Nesquik buttercream and peanut butter and chocolate-covered Cheez-its."
"Who hasn't been quarantine baking and snarfing more sweets than ever?. That includes Chicago Chef Stephanie Izard and Pastry Chef Faith Taheny who launched Sugargoat, a walk up bakery and sweets shop inside of Little Goat Diner in late 2020. Sugargoat stocks luscious items to-go (and national delivery), including cakes, pies, cookies and cupcakes, as well as muffins, bagels, scones, and croissants in the morning."
"ChinatownLearn how one of the country’s oldest Chinatowns developed Chinatown is a favorite stop among visitors to Chicago, and the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is a must-see of the neighborhood. With a permanent exhibit that tells the story of Chinese immigration to the Midwest, plus rotating exhibits on things like Chinese clothing, art, and more, this museum is sure to teach visitors something new about an important culture that has been rooted in Chicago's community for more than 100 years. What to know before you go: The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday-Friday."
"The Chinese American Museum of Chicago opened in 2005 in Chicago's Chinatown. Three years after its opening, the museum suffered a fire and lost a considerable amount of its collection. Today, the museum is a hotbed of cultural artifacts from the Chinese culture and hosts a popular Chinese New Year celebration in the city each year."
"238 W 23rd StHours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am-1:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pmSuggested donation: $5. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."
"The Wooden Pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond is a fantastic way to frame Chicago’s skyline around the John Hancock Center. Additionally the structure itself is fun to photograph and a fun spot for portraits. South Pond on Google Maps"