Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in DuPage County

"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)."

"Probably the most iconic part of Navy Pier is the Centennial Wheel, a large ferris wheel. It’s open year round, weather permitting. Towards the end of the pier, you can also get a really good view of the city. It also holds several free events from time to time, so make sure to check the calendar before you go."

"In any case, there is something magical about having the Ferris wheel or the Pepsi Wave Swinger in the backdrop of a photo, even more so in the evening when the pier is fully lit up. As Chicago’s second-biggest tourist attraction it’s not just an iconic landmark but also full of photo opportunities."

"Located in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Museum is dedicated to expanding knowledge of nature and environmental science. While this might sound advanced for a young child, the museum is actually very toddler-friendly with numerous hands-on exhibits. From an up close visit with critters to an obligatory “burn some energy” play space, the Peggy Notebaert is a gem in the city."

"As buildings continually go up, nature gets pinched, so a visit to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an ideal respite from the concrete landscape. Explore the region's only year-round butterfly sanctuary where as many as 40 species of native and exotic butterflies flutter. Get the news about the ooze at Mysteries of the Marsh."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has the most hands-on activities of any museum in the city. They offer suggested donation days on July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, and August 26."

"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."

"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."

"I think all of Chicago was pumped when the cubs won the World Series (probably more than just Chicago, and pumped is probably an understatement). But other than our beloved Cubbies, Wrigley’s savory snacks make us fly the W. Nachos do taste better in a Cubs hat, actually."

"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."

"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."

"A National Historic Landmark, this South Loop church suffered a devastating fire in 1900, so the congregation hired architects Howard Van Doren Shaw and Frederic Clay Bartlett to rebuild the building in the then-popular Arts and Crafts style. Over the years, the church welcomed many famous Chicago families including the Pullmans, Blackstones, and Armours. Open Saturday, October, 19, from 10 a.m."

"Founded in 1889, the Hull House brought together social reformers from around the country and world. Residents of the Hull House helped pass legislation and shifted public policy on education, health, free speech, immigration, fair labor and countless other social issues. Jane Addams, who founded the house, was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize."

"Chicago's Jane Addams Hull-House Museum was a settlement house founded in 1889 by Ellen Gates Starr and Janes Addams. The Hull House served as a place for European immigrants to call home after landing into the United States. Within 30 years of its opening, the house had expanded to include 13 buildings and a summer camp."

"For free things to do in Chicago with a historic perspective, visit Hull House. Once a settlement house, it is now a memorial to Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She created innovative programs for immigrants."

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"

"Edgewater’s favorite longstanding establishment has been in business since 1960. Breakfast skillets, half-pound burgers, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and Grecian specials like the Kayana — an egg scramble with sautéed onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese — are all on offer here. Like any good neighborhood spot, Alexander’s won’t let patrons down."

"This colorful diner is open around the clock, 365 days a year, making it an excellent choice for early-rising kiddos ready to munch. With fun decor and famously friendly servers, the whole family will feel at home here. They offer a kid’s menu with classic American comfort food, as well as breakfast options all day."

"Restaurants Diners Wicker Park. Does this 25-year-old diner even have locks on its doors?. It certainly doesn't need them: The colorful, retro spot feeds hungry (and, often, drunk) Wicker Parkers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

"Although it’s missing the glitz and glam of Beverly Hills, this Hollywood-themed diner is the late-night star of Wicker Park. Sure, eating jumbo fried shrimp, nachos supreme, or a pulled pork sandwich at 1 a.m. isn’t the healthiest choice, but damn if it isn't difficult to resist."

"Veterans of Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant Moto, chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick founded Soul & Smoke as part of their catering company—but the concept has since taken on a life of its own. Based out of Evanston (with takeout locations in Avondale and the South Loop, as well as a klitchen at Time Out Market Chicago), Soul & Smoke's menu is built around barbecue meats and homestyle sides, including delicate smoked brisket and a supremely creamy mac and cheese. Snag meats by the pound or between two buns—and keep an eye out for the Soul & Smoke food truck, which stops by farmers markets and festivals throughout Chicago and the suburbs."

"Soul & Smoke has a familiar story: a catering business designed for events like graduations and weddings buys a food truck and pivots to takeout and delivery because of the pandemic. But now this outstanding barbecue spot has (along with a food truck) two ghost kitchens in Avondale and the South Loop. And not only is the tender, meaty brisket incredible (currently the best in the city), but the sides (like creamy mac and cheese, cornbread muffins, and spicy baked beans) are all just as great as the meat."