Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Illinois
"Situated next to Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park sits on over 20 acres next to the waterfront in downtown Chicago. The park's most popular kids' attraction is a mini-golf course, which has a series of the city's most iconic buildings and landmarks at each hole. The Play Garden is a big hit with younger kids, where they can play pirate on a huge land-bound ship complete with rope bridges and plenty of room to imagine."
"Maggie Daley Park is also located in the Loop and is home to the city’s only outdoor climbing park. You can also go ice skating during the winter months on the famous ‘skating ribbon’. The park also has spots to picnic in with the family and a tennis court to enjoy a game."
"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”."
"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."
"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."
"Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court."
"Located inside the serene Waldorf Astoria hotel, the spa was designed like a Greco-Roman European Spa. It's spacious (14,000 sq. ft) and includes a state-of-the-art fitness facility, impressive lap pool and separate men's and women's locker rooms, each with a Eucalyptus Steam Room, Dry Sauna, Jacuzzi and relaxation lounge. You're bound to find something appealing among the wellness offerings and experiences are tailored for each guest's needs: customized facials, men's services, treatments for hands and feet and even eyelash extensions."
"Until teleportation is possible, we’ll take a shortcut to Turkey through the Waldorf Astoria Spa. Their signature cleanse includes a coffee, olive stone and lemon scrub, followed by a rhassoul clay wrap, for a full hammam experience in 120 minutes. Afterward, we like to relax in the elegant lounge, but you’re also welcome to use the state-of-the-art fitness center."
"The Waldorf Astoria Spa is probably the most indulgent spa on this list. This 14,000 sq ft Greek-inspired spa offers an array of attractive treatment options. From salons to pools and even a health club, this spa has got you covered."
"This hotel is sophisticated ode to design and feels like the residence of a Mad Men character, with its mid-century-esque furnishings, mural-splashed walls and clean lines throughout. Room service from the on-site David Burke’s Primehouse draws in repeat guests."
"Exhale Spa earns their place on our most expensive spa map for their Power Facial with Ultrasonic Peel for $280. Additionally, exhale offers acupuncture and energetic therapies as well as specialty therapies like LED Core Contouring by SlimStation and a head to toe wash followed by a heated hammam stone two-step exfoliation."
"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"
"If you’re looking for a traditional museum experience, check out the Field Museum, one of the largest museums of natural history in the world. It features almost 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, so don’t expect to see everything in one visit. Explore its extensive collection of mummy artifacts, Native American pottery, dinosaur bones, and traveling exhibits."
"We walked to the Field Museum from the RV park we were staying at and had a couple of hours to explore. We love how the museum pass gives us the opportunity to do this!. Since we get in for free."
"Children under 3, K-12 teachers, and active-duty military are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required."
"Another way to enjoy some family fun in Chicago is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This might seem like an odd recommendation for a holiday with kids, but the showcases put up at this theater also include several kid-friendly productions. There are special abridged versions of the classic plays for the younger ones and students to enjoy."
"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."
"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."