Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
28 Best Things to Do in Chicago with Kids for 2021 (Family Fun!)
"The Field Museum encapsulates a variety of exhibits that bring the pages of history to life through works of art, sculptures, artifacts, and interactive activities. Included in CityPASS 4 hours Learn More"
"Head to Field Museum, and snap a selfie with Máximo, the largest titanosaur — stretching 122 feet from head to tail, peeking behind your shoulder."
"More than 400,000-square feet of exhibit space fill this gigantic museum, which explores cultures and environments from around the world."
"Shedd Aquarium is quite possibly one of the coolest aquariums around. The animal collection is diverse and global, the architecture is stunning, and the learning opportunities are boundless. Every member of the family will find their curiosity piqued here."
"Next, head down to Chicago’s Museum Campus and pay a visit to its crown jewel – the Shedd Aquarium. Home to 32,000 fascinating and unique creatures from a range of diverse habitats, Shedd is one of the best (if not the best) aquariums in the country."
"Built in 1930, more than 80 different habitats are represented. There are also live shows featuring dolphins, penguins, and even Beluga whales. Shedd Aquarium offers free days for Illinois residents as well as participating in Museums for All."
"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."
"Built in 1916, Navy Pier was purposed as a mix-used dock for commercial freighters and warehousing, public pleasure cruises and public gatherings. The pier extends 3,300 feet out into Lake Michigan from the Chicago shoreline. Today, Navy Pier is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Chicago."
"When it comes to the best restaurants in Chicago, fancier isn’t always better. This low-key space offers industrial décor to augment its extensive menu of Thai favorites, all available for dine-in or delivery. With group packages available, you can feed the whole crew a delicious spread at prices everyone will love."
"Thai is that kind of food that you and your family go after a long week and just need some bonding time. The food is incredible and the center of the restaurant has cushions on the ground to sit in so you really feel comfortable and quaint. What to order: Pad Thai"
"Wicker ParkSeasonally inspired dishes with a veggie flareClever Rabbit's newly launched menu balances protein dishes with farm-fresh veggie-forward plates, meaning vegetarian and non-vegetarians will be equally satisfied. Start with the housemade hummus or local mushrooms with crispy brun-uusto cheese and charred scallion. Mix and match a variety of veggie-friendly small plates like the fermented and fried Brussels sprouts with smoked tofu, apple and Thai chili, squash blossom tacos, or a cauliflower masala dosa served with coconut chutney."
"Clever Rabbit isn’t an entirely vegetarian restaurant – there are a smattering of meat and fish dishes – but the kitchen focuses on showcasing vegetables away from simply pairing them with a protein. Expect innovative plates such as carrot dumplings brightened with ginger, a crudité platter flush with raw and pickled vegetables, goat cheese and smoked mushroom mousse, and ribbons of pasta swirled with marinated tomatoes and seaweed. The place is rather casual, with a cozy bar and an outdoor patio in the back."
"Clever Rabbit, open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday and for brunch on the weekends, is full of style and pizzazz and the menu here is creative and innovative. Plus, you can order delicious, colorful cocktails to enhance your meal. The dishes here are veggie-forward, yet there are still meat options available should you dine with a carnivore friend or two."
"Thalia Hall is a historic music venue, a massive building along 18th Street in Pilsen, that’s owned by 16” on Center, a company that runs venues like Promontory Hall in Hyde Park and Empty Bottle in Ukrainian Village. The building also houses Punch House, a lower-level ‘70s chic bar where patrons by drinks by the punch bowl. Then there’s Tack Room, a piano bar that dabbles in things like punk rock karaoke."
"The iconic Pilsen hall has punch-filled cocktails in the basement, a beer hall on the main floor, and a music venue upstairs for all your Instagramming glory."
"There is a mini-zoo with farm animals including chickens, goats and llamas in this park on the city's north side. While it also includes a playground, unlike other parks, this one is a big wooden castle with slides, bridges and tunnels so kids of varying ages can really enjoy running around. Flanked by large apartment buildings which may give off a cool feel to the space, the pond with geese and ducks on the grounds and large willow trees providing shade is a beautiful, peaceful respite that transports you from the busy city."
"This park is smaller than the others so far on this list; it occupies a square block in a quiet, residential section of the West Rogers Park neighborhood. But if you visit Indian Boundary Park, you might find some surprises – most notably that Lincoln Park isn’t the only city park with a zoo. Bounded by Estes Avenue on the north, Lunt Avenue on the south and Rockwell Street on the west, Indian Boundary Park includes a small lagoon filled with ducks, a children’s spray pool, and a sandbox."
"Grab lunch at a nearby café and browse the shops in The Loop. Make your way over to Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate (a.ka. the bean). It’s usually busy during the day, but you might get lucky by going early in the morning before other tourists arrive."
"The Field Museum encapsulates a variety of exhibits that bring the pages of history to life through works of art, sculptures, artifacts, and interactive activities. Included in CityPASS 4 hours Learn More"
"Head to Field Museum, and snap a selfie with Máximo, the largest titanosaur — stretching 122 feet from head to tail, peeking behind your shoulder."
"More than 400,000-square feet of exhibit space fill this gigantic museum, which explores cultures and environments from around the world."
"Flub A Dub Chub's Hotdog Emporium is a small, family-owned, good ol' Chicago dog shop. Customers can get fries or tots with their Flubby (100 percent Vienna Beef) or Chubby (quarter-pound grilled Vienna Beef) dog. Not much beats the perfect simplicity of this hole-in-the-wall spot."
"Most Popular: The Flub BLT ($7) or Chicago’s Best BBQ Pulled Pork Hot Dog ($9). Here’s a confession. Flub’s is probably the most overlooked, best-kept secret in all of Chicago."