Mentioned by Chicago Parent
38 Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once
"Get a little bold and adventurous at the Museum of Contemporary Art, located just one block east of historic Water Tower Placeon The Magnificent Mile. Browse the museum’s permanent collection, which includes more than 2,500 works, displayed in rotation, spanning media and movements from the 1920s to the present. Over the summer, Tuesdays on the Terrace brings you free, live jazz in the museum gardens, while morning visitors are greeted with weekly farmer’s markets at the museum’s monumental front steps."
"When this museum opened in its new aluminum-lined facility in 1996, it became the country's largest museum of contemporary art. Featured works go far beyond two dimensions and include such diverse media as sculpture, photography, dance, performance and music. Three large exhibition floors showcase more than 7000 objects, including pieces by Sol LeWitt, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and Rene Magritte."
"The National Museum of Mexican Art, southwest of the Loop, is dedicated to stimulating and preserving knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture. It is one of the largest collections of Latino art in the nation, and it is also the only Latino institution to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. The current collection includes more than 5,500 objects."
"This fun nature museum is located in the heart of Lincoln Park just north of downtown Chicago. As you walk up to the museum, you will immediately be immersed in nature with their beautiful walking trails and paths. Once inside, you can visit an amazing butterfly sanctuary, explore the wetlands, learn how the Chicago River lock systems work, learn about local animal life and more."
"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has been a Chicago staple for more than 160 years!. Located in Lincoln Park, the museum is dedicated to educating visitors about our natural world, conservation, preservation, and restoration through hands-on fun. Toddlers love exhibits and museum areas such as:"
"Children under 3, active-duty military, veterans, and Illinois K-12 teachers are always free. Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents. Meet the fish at the Shedd Aquarium."
"Just beyond the aquarium is the Adler Planetarium, which when constructed in 1930 became America's first planetarium. The building is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. Each year half a million visitors experience the museum's interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on educational programs, and world-class collections."
"Art Institute of Chicago* – Fast PassOR Adler Planetarium* – VIP Entry *Your CityPASS tickets include the option for you to choose between two attractions. There’s no need to decide upfront where you’d like to visit. You can choose when you get there."
"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."
"The Smart Museum is small, free, an easy and engaging place to museums in Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transit and there is a parking garage nearby. Exhibitions, which rotate, are really tremendous, tending towards the avant-garde but including the historical and always celebrating the vast diversity of the art world."
"If you want to see masterpieces but don't want to spend a long day wandering around one of the major art museums, the Smart may be just…"
"The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before."
"Allyu Spa delivers medicinal massage and bodywork, superior skincare and elegance tools in a relaxing and lavish mood. Their aspiration is habitually to anticipate for your wellness needs in your individual and accurate way. Their gift inside their society would be a competent distance, higher treatments and services and products to promote health insurance and wellbeing."
"With its dramatic white draperies and warm uplighting, Allyu is the kind of place we’re tempted to loiter. So it’s a good thing that loitering, lingering and general lounging are encouraged for all spa guests. After your hot stone massage or chakra balancing, curl up in an armchair with an herbal tea and take it all in."
"A post shared by Allyu Spa (@allyuspa) on Nov 22, 2016 at 10:18am PST. With an aim to ensure your well, the Allyu Spa is known for its therapeutic massages and treatments. They offer special massages and treatments for expecting mothers as well as couple massages and services."
"A gorgeous brick warehouse with garage doors that open in the summertime, Spiteful Brewing is anything but. In fact, they’re more likely benevolent to their loyal customers, producing a delicious, new beer every season. Communal seating rounds out the welcoming atmosphere that comes with a visit to Spiteful Brewing."
"Bars Breweries Portage Park. While you're munching on shishito peppers and charcuterie, the kids will be tucking into crispy chicken tenders, a cheeseburger or buttered noodles at this Irving Park brewery. All kids' meals are just $8 and include a drink and your choice of fries or fresh fruit."
"The food is often very kid-friendly, and parents can kick back with a few craft beers. Old Irving is no exception. It’s bright and spacious with plenty of room for squirmy little ones."
"Indoor seating is available at Old Irving, stop by and grab a burger and brew, or snag a growler to-go!. Place an order for pick-up."
"The newest restaurant from 4 Star Restaurant Group and Finch Beer Co., The Perch hits Wicker Park with a new outdoor patio and sculpture garden. While the inside will be closed for the meantime, that’s no problem since we’d rather enjoy the great outdoors while sipping on those Finch beers. Delivery and carryout details are unclear at this time, but we imagine we’ll hear more soon!"
"Just discovered it about two months ago and have already been three times!. Every server I've had has…”more. Offers takeout and delivery"
"Restaurants Contemporary American Lincoln Square. Chicago has a few far-flung places where chefs have carved out personal enclaves for high-level fine dining. But perhaps none were born with the maturity and finesse of this 34-seat, off-the-beaten-path BYOB from husband and wife Chris and Nina Nugent."
"Goosefoot puts the pairings for its French-inspired tasting menus in your hands with its BYOB option, but you can visit Goosefoot Food & Wine nextdoor for excellent wine opions. The dining room is open and accepting reservations."
"Cafe Marie-Jeanne does double duty, serving as a candle-lit setting for first Tinder dates and 10th-anniversary dinners by night, and opening up to locals in search of excellent coffee and French pastries by day. Chef Michael Simmons' zero-fuss approach to fine dining works in both occasions—but for brunch, you can't go wrong with smoked and cured fish or (if it's available) the Chicago-style lobster roll, a cheeky take on the city's hot dog. After stuffing a brioche bun with wood-smoked lobster coated with a paprika-and-coriander spiced aioli, Simmons "drags it through the garden," adding his take on the iconic toppings: shishito peppers, yellow mustard, diced onion, pickled cucumber spears."