Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Chicago

We've collected top 10 mentioned kid friendly attractions in Chicago from other articles such as usatales.com, Chicago Magazine, Culture Trip.

Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Chicago

Millennium Park
Millennium Park
4.8 (58155 ratings)4.5 (22489 ratings)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Navy Pier
Navy Pier
4.6 (50660 ratings)4 (13593 ratings)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks.
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Sights & LandmarksAmusement centerCultural centerEvent venuePiers & BoardwalksTheme Parks
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
Chicago Itinerary – 3 Days in Chicago for First Timers
"A few of the highlights of your tour include the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and more. You’ll be able to disembark at most landmarks, so it’s easy to use this your to further your itinerary (although traffic can be a factor, so don’t rely exclusively on this for transportation)."
Mentioned by Tripster Travel Guide
32 Totally Free Things to Do in Chicago
"This iconic Chicago attraction is bursting with attractions. However, many of them charge a fee. Believe it or not, though, there are several free things to do in Chicago at Navy Pier."
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
4.8 (6118 ratings)4.5 (719 ratings)
184-acre park with a swimming pool, fishing lagoon, athletic fields, tennis courts & more.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksBotanical gardenHistoric SitesGardens
Grant Park
Grant Park
4.7 (16394 ratings)4.5 (854 ratings)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
City parkNature & ParksPark
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
4.6 (1427 ratings)4.5 (181 ratings)
Environmental museum with outdoor walkways for observing local wildlife & kid-friendly exhibits.
2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Natural history museumMuseumsChildren's MuseumsSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Red Tricycle
Best Museums for Chicago’s Curious Kids
"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)."
Mentioned by Museum Hack
Museums in Chicago: The Complete List (2020
"Chicago's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is operated by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. The museum highlights Chicago's natural history. It is best known for its live butterfly house, which is both an exhibit for visitors and a laboratory that studies how to best preserve the region's population of butterflies."
Paleteria la michoacana on 35th street
Paleteria la michoacana on 35th street
4.2 (53 ratings)
1850 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609, USA
Ice cream shop
Margie's Candies
Margie's Candies
4.5 (1802 ratings)
Iconic 1920s ice cream parlor & candy counter in a cozy space with nostalgic, time-warp decor.
1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Ice cream shop
Mentioned by Spoon University
The 50 Best Foods to Eat in Chicago
"Sit in the same chair where gangster Al Capone enjoyed homemade ice cream and toppings. Marshmallow is the best addition to any one of Margie’s 13 ice cream flavors. #SpoonTip: Try to avoid going on weekends where wait times can be over an hour."
Mentioned by Spoon University
The 21 Best Ice Cream Shops in Chicago
"This old-fashioned ice cream parlor offers delicious sundaes and ice cream classics. If you’re feeling brave, try the “World’s Largest Sundae."
Kilwins
Kilwins
4.5 (305 ratings)
Old-fashioned confectionery chain selling chocolates, ice cream, handmade sweets & gift baskets.
310 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
Ice cream shop
Mentioned by Time Out Chicago
The 14 best ice cream shops in Chicago
"Shopping Chocolate and candy Hyde Park. This Michigan-based brand might be best known for its decadent slabs of fudge, but you'd be remiss to not check out the tubs of creamy, small-batch ice cream also tucked under its glass display cases. Classic flavors are loaded up with treats like caramel, nuts, chocolate chips and other dreamy confections (yes, including fudge), then piled into house-made waffle cones that you can smell baking from across the block."
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.5 (3616 ratings)4.5 (21 ratings)
Swanky lodging in a 1920s tower, offering a spa, a bar & a rooftop restaurant with river views.
85 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
HotelSights & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
Mentioned by Honeymoon Always
10 Romantic Chicago Hotels & Honeymoon Planning Tips (2021)
"Once the iconic London Guarantee & Accident headquarters, LondonHouse is now in the 1923 building renowned as one of the “Big Four” skyscrapers walking distance from Millennium Park and Magnificent Mile shopping. Enjoy Chicago’s only three-level rooftop bar with amazing views of the river and cityscape. Additionally, Land & Lake Kitchen provides an upscale take on authentic midwestern comfort food."
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Chicago
"Located at the start of the Magnificent Mile, LondonHouse Chicago offers modern chic rooms with full amenities. Some rooms have floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river. Don’t forget to check out the lobby bar or rooftop restaurant with views of the river."
Mentioned by Dymabroad
53 Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago: Photo spots in Chicago
"The rooftop of LondonHouse Chicago is one of the most beautiful photo spots in Chicago. From here, you have a wonderful view of the buildings and the water in Chicago. What's great about this spot is that there is a glass railing that you can stand in front of."
Chicago Loop Synagogue
Chicago Loop Synagogue
4.8 (41 ratings)5 (10 ratings)
16 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
SynagogueSights & LandmarksSacred & Religious Sites
Mentioned by Curbed Chicago
The best churches, temples, synagogues to see at Open House Chicago
"The current building was designed by Loebl, Schlossman and Bennett in 1957, although the Chicago Loop Synagogue was founded in 1929 for Jewish workers downtown and visitors. A must-see here is a wall of stained glass crafted by Abraham Rattner. Open Sunday, October 20, from noon to 5 p.m."

Best Shopping Malls in Chicago Area

Block 37
Block 37
4.3 (4433 ratings)3.5 (25 ratings)
Modern mall with trendy shops & restaurants, plus indoor rock climbing & a movie theater.
108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Shopping mallShopping
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
4.4 (11825 ratings)
Bi-level enclosed outlet mall with designer goods, custom interactive visual arts & restaurants.
5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA
Shopping mallRestaurantClothing store
Brickyard Mall
Brickyard Mall
4.3 (4410 ratings)
Shopping mall offering big-box department stores, electronics & wireless resources & a food court.
2600 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, USA
Shopping mall
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Shopping Malls In Chicago, Illinois
"It was very popular during the ‘80s and locals are still loyal to it. It is easy on the eye, with lawns and trees, and brick walls. Nowadays, it still attracts people and offers plenty of parking space, with security, and convenient shopping."

Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Chicago

Hub 51
Hub 51
4.3 (1418 ratings)
This dark & intimate late-night lounge features banquette seating & bottle service with DJ tunes.
51 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
American restaurantBarRestaurant
Mentioned by OpenTable
Discover Trending Restaurants in Chicago
"River North is full of trendy restaurants and bars, so how does one stand out?. By keeping the décor simple and the menu diverse, which is exactly how HUB 51 have achieved the statu..."
Mentioned by OpenTable
The Best Restaurants with Vegan Options in Chicago
"HUB 51 is the River North creation of the Lettuce Entertain You organization. They are one of the best vegan restaurants in Illinois, featuring a perfect blend of entertainment, ni..."
Blue Door Farm Stand
Blue Door Farm Stand
4.3 (495 ratings)
Homey farm-to-table cafe with American eats & cold-pressed juice as well as home & pantry items.
2010 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
American restaurantBrunch restaurantCafeCoffee shopLunch restaurant
Mentioned by Condé Nast Traveler
16 Best Brunches in Chicago
"You'll feel instantly uplifted upon entering Blue Door Farm Stand, a bright, two-story Lincoln Park restaurant outfitted with modern-meets-rustic touches like iron chandeliers, exposed wooden beams, plush seating, and a long marble bar. A local and seasonal approach drives the menu here, with a compilation of classic brunch plates that take some contemporary twists. Try the flavor-packed bell pepper and bacon Benedict (with chèvre, heirloom tomatoes, and spring onion), or go lighter with the veggie burger."
Mentioned by Eater Chicago
15 Top Fancy and Healthy Fast Food Restaurants in Chicago
"As the name suggests, farm-to-table is the game at this rustic restaurant that pulls produce and other ingredients from nearby farms. For those whose resolutions are still intact, order the smoked chicken salad on multigrain bread. If not, opt for the apple pie and bacon grilled cheese."
Leone Beach Park
Leone Beach Park
4.5 (442 ratings)
A sandy, lakefront spot for sunbathing, with an adjacent playground, athletic fields & kayak launch.
1222 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
ParkPublic beach

Best Pastries in Chicago

Alliance Bakery
Alliance Bakery
4.4 (354 ratings)
Bakery for playfully decorated cupcakes, specialty cakes & European pastries, plus an outdoor cafe.
1736 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
BakeryCake shopCoffee shopPastry shopWedding bakery
Mentioned by UrbanMatter
6 Best Bakeries in Chicago to Order Cake
"If you’re looking for the perfect wedding cake, consider Alliance Bakery & Cafe in Chicago. Their team will work with you to select the ideal combination of fillings, flavors, and designs to suit your specific wedding vision. In addition to (or in lieu of) a wedding cake, they offer a variety of mini desserts, French and American, to create a mouthwatering sweet table."
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Cakes in Chicago
"Alliance Bakery is a French-inspired bakery served with a modern twist. The chef, Peter Rios, has extensive experience working as a pastry chef at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago and Sofitel Hotel Chicago. He has won numerous awards in cake competitions around the country."
Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Best Bakeries in Chicago
"Alliance Bakery specialises in French pastries|Courtesy of Alliance Bakery. Wicker Park’s Alliance Bakery has become a mainstay on the Northwest side. Offering mostly French pastries, Alliance’s own Chef Peter Rios studied in Paris for several years."
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
4.4 (1393 ratings)
Stylish spot supplying gourmet donuts, milkshakes, hot coffee drinks & cold brew on tap.
181 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Donut shopBagel shopBakeryCafeCoffee shopDessert shopPastry shop
Mentioned by Ambitious Kitchen
The Best Donuts in Chicago
"Stan’s Donuts originated in Los Angeles, and has only showed up on the Chicago donut scene a few years ago. Regardless, they continue to open new locations and rarely run out of donuts unlike other shops in the city. The great perk about Stan’s isn’t just that you can actually sit down at any time of day and enjoy a donut and coffee, it’s also that they have endless donut options available that make choosing one nearly impossible."
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Best Desserts in Chicago | Donuts, Cheesecake, Ice Cream & Cookies
"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"
Mentioned by Loop Chicago
Where to order takeout and delivery in the Loop
"Stan's Donuts has quickly become a Chicago icon with decadent flavored donuts, cookies and delicious beverages. They are currently open every day for takeout and delivery."
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
4.5 (254 ratings)
Quaint bakery/cafe offering specialty cakes, cookies & breads, plus sweet & savory pastries.
1114 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Pastry shopBakeryBreakfast restaurantCafeGift shopWedding bakeryWholesale bakery

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Chicago

3.8 (841 reviews)
Chicago Parthenon Hostel
Hostel
$26 /night
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Parkline apartments
Apartment
$259 /night
View deal
4.3 (68 reviews)
Hyatt House Chicago Medical/University District
Hotel
$160 /night
View deal
* The displayed nightly rate may be estimated based on a future travel date. Narrow down your search with checkin and checkout dates to see the exact price.