Things to do with kids in Chicago

109 family-friendly places in Chicago: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 109.

Photo: Photo taken in 1998 by Wikipedia user Soakologist . No rights claimed or…, Public domain

SeeAttractionLoop
The Skydeck
Once the tallest building in the world, the Sears Tower (officially renamed the Willis Tower) now has to settle for second-highest in the Americas alone, behind New York City's One World Trade Center (and even those are after a semantic battle with Toronto and the CN Tower). The Hancock Observatory (see Near North) has a nicer view of the city, but the Sears Tower offers an incredible view of its own from "The Ledge", which lets visitors walk out in a transparent balcony suspended 1,353 feet above the street. To avoid the crowds, visit after 4PM.
Apr-Sep 9AM-10PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-8PM; open every day of the year, including holidays$22, $11 children; express line tickets $30 · Wheelchair accessible
SeeViewpointNear North
360 Chicago
Hancock Observatory
360-degree view from the 94th floor. Not quite as high as the Sears Tower Skydeck, but with a better view, and from January to March, an ice-skating rink! For drinks, see the Signature Room below.
9AM-11PM$22 adults (12 and over), $15 children (3-11) · Wheelchair accessible
SeeNature museumNear South
Field Museum of Natural History
The largest museum on the campus; highlights include SUE, the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the world, and the man-eating Tsavo lions. Part of the collection came directly from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, adding a layer of intrigue to all of those dusty old animals. Another highlight is the great, kid-friendly Egyptian exhibit, and the Hall of Gems will impress, too. Traveling exhibitions tend to be excellent, so this is one place where it's worth shelling out for the extra shows.
9AM-5PM daily, last admission 4PM; closed Dec 25General admission $30 adults, $23 children, $27 students; Admission including some/all special exhibits is $43 adults, $32 children, $38 students · Wheelchair accessible
SeeArt museumLoop
Art Institute of Chicago
One of the premier museums in the U.S. — and with the opening of the sensational new Modern Wing, it's one of the largest, too. Set aside a whole day and arrive early! Iconic pieces on display include "American Gothic" by Grant Wood (the stoic farm couple), "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper (the late-night diner), Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte". The Art Institute also boasts the world's best collection of Impressionist painting outside of France. But there's a lot more to discover, including a great selection of early 20th-century painting, architecture, and photography, as well as archaeological finds covering 5,000 years of art and cultural history.
10:30AM-5PM, Thu to 8PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day$32 adult, $26 children over 13 and seniors, free children 13 and under; free to Illinois residents Th after 5PM
SeeLoop
Millennium Park
Long before it opened, Millennium Park had become notorious for delays and cost-overruns, missing its titular date by a wide margin. However, when it was finally finished in 2004, the biggest shock of all came when it turned out to be quite nice. Aside from plenty of grass and open space, it has modern sculptures in steel and glass, including Chicago's newest must-photo for visitors, The Bean (properly known as Cloud Gate), and the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion for outdoor concerts. Kids will love getting wet in the Crown Fountain (mid-April to the end of summer) at Michigan and Monroe, in which the giant projected faces of Chicago residents spit water into a shallow reflecting pool where everyone is welcome to splash around. Look for tents offering guides to the park near the entrances at Randolph and/or Washington. From mid-November to early March there is an ice skating rink open to the public (weather permitting) on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opens at noon on weekdays and 10AM on Saturdays and Sundays with free admission (skate rental is $12, locker rental is $1).
6AM-11PM dailyFree
DoParkNear South
Soldier Field
Home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, and from 2020 home (again) to Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. If you'd like to see a Bears game, then you have something in common with many Chicagoans; there's no point in listing ticket prices, because they sell out long before the season starts. On the other hand, if you're a soccer fan, you have a much better chance of getting in for a Fire game, even though that team plans on using only the lower seating bowl for most of its games. The original Soldier Field was built in 1924 to honor veterans of the First World War, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. By 2002, the stadium was in dire need of renovations, and the Bears promised to preserve the majestic colonnades of the old stadium. However, when the renovations were complete, what appeared to be a giant spaceship had landed at midfield. The amenities have improved, and it really is a nice facility... on the inside. On the outside, it's hard to say what it is, other than probably the strangest-looking sports venue in America. (It's not a Historic Place any more, having been stripped of that designation in 2006.) Tours are available during the week, M-F 9AM-5PM, by phone appointment; $15 adults, $10 students, $7 seniors, $4 children.
SeeAttractionNear North
Navy Pier
Built in 1916, Navy Pier has had many different uses over the years; in 1994, it became a tourist attraction, with more than 50 acres of restaurants, shops, and activities by Lake Michigan. It's an easy place to entertain children. Unless otherwise noted, all of the attractions are open during Navy Pier operating hours. Several buses reach Navy Pier, including #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, and #124 Navy Pier Express from the two Metra stations in the Loop.
Open 10AM daily; closes in summer Sun-Thu 10PM, Fri Sat midnight, fall/spring Sun-Thu 8PM, Fri Sat 10PM, winter Mon-Thu 8PM, Fri Sat 10PM, Sun 7PMParking available $19-23 per day · Wheelchair accessible
SeeLincoln Park-Old Town
Lincoln Park Zoo
Few things in Chicago are finer than the Lincoln Park Zoo. It's world-class, yet admission is free; its winding, expansive grounds have the charm of age, yet its facilities are modern and the animals are healthy, happy, and personable. The brand new Great Ape House is one to see, and the Farm in the Zoo features plenty for kids to do, but everyone has their own favorites (penguins).
Daily 9AM-6PM, winter 9AM-5PM, summer weekends 9AM-7PMFree · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
SeeNear South
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Home to a massive collection of marine life from throughout the world, among the very best you'll ever see. The Pacific Northwest-themed Oceanarium features otters, beluga whales, and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, although you'll need to arrive extremely early for the (free) dolphin show. The terrific new Wild Reef exhibit offers floor-to-ceiling windows for an extraordinary view of a Philippine coral reef environment, complete with dozens of sharks.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 9AM-6PM; July/August 8AM-6PMAdmission from $37.20 adults and $27.95 children, plus extra for special exhibits · Wheelchair accessible
SeePlanetariumNear South
Adler Planetarium
It's the smallest of the three museums, but the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere still packs a lot of fun. There are some interactive exhibits on the second floor, a scale model of the solar system, a few space rocks, and two high-tech dome theaters with nifty "star shows" throughout the day. Adler After Dark, on the third Thursday of each month, runs 6PM-10PM and features cocktails, a DJ, and wild, unfettered use of telescopes.
Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat Sun 10AM-4:30PMGeneral admission $19 adult, $8 children or $35/$28 including shows
SeeHyde Park
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
No tour of Chicago's museums is complete without a visit to this one. Spend hours upon hours looking at really cool stuff you never even knew you didn't know about. So much to do, so little time. You can return for free the following day if you take your ticket to "Will Call" on the way out on your first day. Great for kids, with many hands-on exhibits and the famous Coal Mine; adults will enjoy the display of the German U-boat 'U-505'. The immense, beautiful building was itself built as part of the White City in 1893, and is the last of the grand buildings left in Hyde Park.
9:30AM-4PM daily; some days until 5:30PM, including most of summer; closed 25 Dec$25.95 adult, $14.95 child
SeeHistory museumLincoln Park-Old Town
Chicago History Museum
Chicago Historical Society
A creative urban history museum. Exhibits include The Pioneer, the first railroad locomotive to operate in Chicago, and the bed upon which Abraham Lincoln died; more fun for kids is the Chicago-style Hot Dog showcase, which supplies all the giant plastic ingredients you'll need to turn yourself (or your little brother) into a life-sized hot dog (no ketchup, of course). They also host regular tours of different CTA lines and walking tours of Lincoln Park and Old Town.
Mon-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun noon-5PM$14 adults, children 12 and under are free · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHyde Park
Frederick C. Robie House
This fabulously impractical house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the world's most famous examples of the Midwestern "Prairie School" of architecture, which aimed to create buildings with prominent horizontal lines evocative of the prairie landscape. The interior is bizarre, intended to remind its inhabitants of a ship, and is surrounded by stained art glass windows. You must take an official tour to see the interior, which lasts about an hour. Tours of the surrounding historic neighborhood are offered as well — it is best to make reservations online beforehand. Be sure to take a gander at the University of Chicago's Business School across the street, which was designed to emulate the style of the Robie House in a more modern fashion. It is one of eight buildings by Wright that is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tours Thu-Mon 11AM-3PM every 30 minutes$17, $14 seniors/students/military, children under 4 free
SeeChildren museumNear North
Chicago Children's Museum
Hands-on exhibits for kids, including the popular Dinosaur Expedition.
10AM-5PM; Thu to 8PMAdmission $8, free Thursday after 5PM, free for children on the first Monday of every month · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistory museumWicker Park
The Polish Museum of America
Library and exhibitions on Polish heritage, both in Chicago and in Poland. It is home to the largest collection of memorabilia relating to Ignace Paderewski, and the museum is purportedly haunted by the once famous pianist.
Fri-Wed 11AM-4PM$5 adults, $4 children
SeeNature museumLincoln Park-Old Town
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Carefully positioned within walking distance of the Lincoln Park Zoo in hopes of being parents' second stop while they're in the area, the Notebaert Nature Museum is... okay. Exhibits are geared toward kids and are sometimes hands-on. The only consistent must-see is the butterfly haven.
Mon-Fri 9AM-4:30PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PMAdults $9, children 3-12 $6, Th free · Entry 9 USD
SeeHistory museumNear North
Illinois Holocaust Museum Presents Experience360
The Skokie-based museum has a temporary exhibit here while its main building is under renovation.
10 am-5 pm$12 adults, $8 seniors and students, $6 children 5-11. Free on the last Wednesday of the month.
SeeMuseumNear South
The Glessner House Museum
A stately Arts & Crafts mansion from 1887, now fully restored and refurnished to its original Gilded Age atmosphere. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Tours Wed-Sun 1PM & 3PM$10 adults, $9 students/senior, $6 children; add $5 to visit the Clarke House as well. Wednesdays free
SeeGardenLincoln Park-Old Town
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Built 1890-1895, the conservatory is right next to the zoo. Even though they're overshadowed by the animals next door, the plants receive an equal amount of care, and there are usually some eye-popping floral displays in the spring. Volunteer-led tours are sometimes available at no cost.
9AM-5PMFree
SeeHistory museumNear South
The Clarke House Museum
Built in 1836, this unassuming little white house is the oldest surviving structure in Chicago. Tours are available through the Glessner House, but it's free to walk around the lovely Women's Park & Gardens that surround it.
Tours Wed-Sun noon & 2PM$10 adults, $9 students/senior, $5 children; add $5 to visit the Glessner House as well. Wednesdays free
SeeGardenLincoln Park-Old Town
Oz Park
Young children might enjoy this Wizard of Oz-themed park with statues and playlots.
Free
DoArts centreLoop
Goodman Theater
Non-profit theater company in an extremely expensive space; they pride themselves on new works, but are better known for revivals of plays from the American theater canon. Post-show discussions with the cast are held after Wednesday and Thursday night performances.
Box office noon-5PM dailyTickets vary by show, generally starting from $30, $17 children
DoBeachBronzeville
31st St Beach
Margaret Burroughs Beach
While small, 31st St Beach is one of the nicest places for a swim on the South Side. It's family-friendly, never crowded, and always has stunning views of the Chicago skyline.
Summers: 9AM-9:30PM
SeeBronzeville
DuSable Museum of African-American History
Chicago's museum of African-American history is named after the first settler of Chicago, a Haitian named Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. The museum often has excellent and moving temporary exhibits.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM$10, $7 students/seniors, $3 children 6-11, free for children under 6; free for everyone on Su
DoParkPilsen
Harrison Park
If you have kids in tow and they have been patient through the National Museum of Mexican Art (or they need to burn off some energy before going in), you might reward them with some monkey time right next door at Harrison Park, which has a big play-lot with swings, slides, jungle gyms and more.
SeeLoop
Spertus Institute
A museum dedicated to Jewish culture and learning, in a dramatic, newly remodeled facility. There's a children's center, which promises hands-on exhibits, and a regular slate of exhibits and events on Jewish art, culture, and social issues, with points given for range that includes the Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour and lectures on Jewish-Catholic relations. The Asher Library, also on-site, keeps different hours (Su-Th afternoons).
Sun-Thu 10AM-5PMFree
EatPizza restaurantLoop
Pizano's
Deep dish pizza that has roots in the family that produced UNO's and Lou Malnati's, but will serve a worthy thin-crust, too.
Sun-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 11AM-3AM$12-20 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumNear South
National Veterans Art Museum
A collection of over 500 evocative pieces of art, created by artists who served in Vietnam. The museum also holds exhibitions on the Iraq war.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM$10 adults, $7 children
DrinkLoop
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
Family-friendly pub with pizza and ribs, under the L tracks and covered in Chicago memorabilia.
Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun Noon-9PM
EatCosta rican restaurantLogan-Bucktown
Irazu
A family-owned neighborhood spot offering Costa Rican food since 1990. Casual atmosphere with seriously good food. Try the oatmeal shake.
Tue-Sat 11AM–9PM$20-30
DrinkCaféPilsen
Kristoffer's Cafe and Bakery
A warm, large space with a range of sandwiches, drinks, and baked goods. (They call their seven varieties of tres leches cakes a family specialty.) You will find free Wi-Fi and flyers for every art opening in the area.
Mon 7:30AM-3PM, Tue-Fri 7:30AM-5PM, Sat Sun 8AM-4PMLunch $5-8
EatBakeryPilsen
Panaderia Tortilleria Nuevo Leon Bakery
Tasty bakery run by the Nuevo León family, who run the fine restaurant a block down. They serve Mexican bread, pastries, coffee, and other early morning essentials under the watchful eye of a 1986-87 Chicago Bears team poster.
Mon-Fri 5:30AM-9PM, Sat Sun 6AM-9PM$1-4
EatThai restaurantUptown
Siam Noodle and Rice
Excellent family-owned homestyle Thai cafe; an Uptown favorite.
Tue-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri 11AM-9:30PM, Sat 11:30AM-9:30PM, Sun 11:30AM-8PM, Mon closed$6-9
DoTheatreLakeview-North Center
The Playground
The Playground has a few things going for it: the perfect location for beginning or ending the night with a show, a BYOB liquor license, and a non-profit co-op structure that makes the performers here some of the most enthusiastic and committed you'll find. Quality will vary by ensemble.
Usually two shows a night, around 8PM/10PM, with occasional midnight shows Fri-Sat$5-10
SeeNear West Side
Saint Ignatius College Prep
Opened in 1869, two years prior to the Chicago Fire, this impressive building is still a working high school. No tours are offered of the interior, but pieces of famous Chicago buildings from the past have been installed around the campus, including murals from the old Chicago Stadium and intriguing ornament from lost Adler & Sullivan and Burnham & Root masterworks. (Next door, Holy Family Church dates from 1857.)
Free, though you might call ahead if school is in session
EatMexican restaurantWicker Park
La Pasadita
Gradual expansion over the past thirty years has led to the curious appearance of two (there used to be three!) identically named establishments within the same half-block of Ashland. Both are family-owned and make tasty Mexican tacos and burritos, with slight variations in the menus. The newest location at 1132 N Ashland is somewhat Americanized compared to the other two.
9AM-3AM daily$3-6
SeeChatham-South Shore
Bronzeville Children's Museum
The only African American children's museum in the country is named after the Bronzeville neighborhood even though it is much further south.
Tue-Sat 10AM-2PM$5
SeeUptown Not mapped
Swedish American Museum Center
Celebrates Swedish-American heritage and Swedish immigration in all its forms, including Buzz Aldrin's temporary immigration to the moon.
Tue-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM$4 adults, $3 kids
EatMexican restaurantPilsen
Carnitas Uruapan
Some of the best carnitas (stewed pork) around. (Kids will love the cartoon pigs on the wall as long as they don't connect them to what they're eating.) The cactus salad comes highly recommended, too, but runs out early in the day. As for the rest of the menu, well, you either want a big sheet of fried pork rinds or you don't, and nothing this guide tells you is going to change your mind one way or the other.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 7AM-6PM$10
SeeAttractionNear North
Pier Park
Includes the signature Ferris Wheel, a mini-golf course, remote-controlled boats, and more.
Sun-Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri Sat 10AM-10PMEach attraction $5, Ferris Wheel $18

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.