Kids love Chicago, and the great thing about the city is that there are so many fun places chicago to visit with them! From amazing museums to beautiful parks, there’s always somewhere fun to take your kids in Chicago. Here’s an overview of some of the best family-friendly things to do in Chicago this summer.
Fun places Chicago: Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, and for good reason. With over 2,000 animals from all over the globe, it’s a fun place for kids and adults alike. There’s always something new to see here, with new additions like the African elephants! The zoo has a nice mix of both traditional animal exhibits (like giraffes) as well as more interactive exhibits where you can get up close and personal with smaller animals (like lemurs). Plus, there are plenty of chances for kids to get outside and run around on playgrounds or take a pony ride! Other great options for fun places chicago include the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Art Institute of Chicago.
Millennium Park
Cloud Gate is better known as The Bean because of its shape. This sculpture is made out of steel and aluminum and reflects the skyline off its surface. Crown Fountain has an interactive screen where people can send messages that appear on water droplets that fall into the pool below. If you want to cool off on a hot summer day, there are two fountains at Millennium Park called Lurie Garden Water Wall Fountains that offer some much needed relief from the heat.
One of these fountains provides a mist while the other is a traditional fountain with cascading water. There are also lots of public art pieces around the city that are worth checking out. One example is City Hall which has sculptures, paintings, and metalwork inside by many famous artists such as Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso. And if you love playing board games like Monopoly or Jenga? Make sure to stop by the game room at Navy Pier so you can enjoy them together.
Fun places Chicago: The Field Museum
This summer when you’re looking for some fun places chicago or museums near me, make sure that you put The Field Museum on your list! Children and adults alike can explore the newest exhibitions with interactive displays. One exhibit called Mummies: Death and Beauty in Ancient Egypt allows visitors to get up close and personal with mummy remains. Another exhibition, For the Love of Owls showcases 18 different species of owls from around the world.
It’s not just the exhibitions at The Field Museum that are fun though; there’s also an IMAX theater where you can watch a 3D movie about sharks! There is also an area where children can play hands-on games while parents look at exhibits. There are so many more fun places chicago than just these three, but these are our favorites.
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago has a lot of fun things to do for families, but one of the most popular attractions is Adler Planetarium. The planetarium was founded by Max Adler and opened its doors in 1930. It is one of the oldest public observatories on Earth, and it’s also a great place for school field trips! On top of that, it’s got plenty of hands-on exhibits and activities for kids (and adults) to enjoy when they visit.
There are different shows playing throughout the day and night, so you can always find something fun to watch! You don’t have to worry about getting bored because there are plenty of other interactive experiences at the Shedd Aquarium for you and your family. For example, did you know that there is an area with penguins? Well now you do! And if penguins aren’t enough, make sure to stop by the octopus exhibit too.
Adler Planetarium
One of the most popular attractions in Chicago is the Adler Planetarium. This is a great place for kids of all ages to visit during the summer because it’s a fun, educational experience that’s perfect for families. The Adler has lots of interactive exhibits about space and science, including two theaters with shows about our solar system and other galaxies. It’s also got plenty of hands-on activities like a full-sized model of the sun and moon, a weather station where you can experience different climates around the world, and an IMAX theater.
The planetarium itself is also worth a look from outside, the building looks like a giant telescope. If you’ve never been to the Adler before, check out their website for special events like Night Sky Saturdays and Sunrise Astronomy. They’ll take you on tours of constellations or show you how day turns into night on Earth. All things considered, there are few better ways to spend time outdoors with your family than at one of these fun places Chicago.
Final Thoughts
Chicago is a family-friendly city with so many great museums, parks, and activities for kids. As the summer starts winding down, make sure you take advantage of all the fun things that are happening in the city. Here are some of our favorite fun places chicago There’s so much more than just fun places chicago; I have tons of other posts about Chicago on my blog too! You can read about one of my personal favorites, Midway Airport or also my post about Navy Pier or Lincoln Park Zoo or an update on what happened with Lollapalooza 2018.