Chicago Attractions for Families

Chicago has no shortage of great options for traveling families, whether a kid's interest lies in seeing the city from 1,000 feet up, seeing sharks up-close, or spending an afternoon at Chicago's festive and kid-friendly Navy Pier.

1 - Navy Pier and Chicago Children's Museum

Navy Pier is so much more than simply a waterfront shopping mall. There is frequently entertainment geared at children inside Navy Pier, such as short and humerous plays. Navy Pier is the setting for fireworks, features a huge ferris wheel with a splendid view of the shoreline, and it's a great place to hop a boat tour. Best of all, it is home to the Chicago Children's Museum. The museum also has a great gift shop for finding unique children's gifts and books.

2 - Millennium Park

In the summertime, it's a constant to see several kids splashing in the not-quite-ankle-deep pool of water spraying from the techno-funky Crown Fountain at Millennium Park. This new park, several blocks long at the start of the Magnificant Mile, gives the kids a chance to run off some energy, while giving parents an opportunity to admire modern art sculpures.

3 - Shedd Aquarium

This is easily one of the best aquariums in the U.S., with extensive aquatic species and exhibits. Shedd Aquarium, nicknamed "the World's Aquarium," houses an impressive 22,000 aquatic creatures in a 422,000 square foot building on Lake Michigan. Don't let the name fool you, however. There aren't just fish here, but also marine birds and lizards. One could easily devote a day to the Shedd alone.

4 - John Hancock Observatory

Chicago is a city packed full of skyscrapers, but a visit to the John Hancock Observatory is quite an experience. Kids will love the Skywalk, the talking telescopes and the chance to get their kitschy "daring picture" as a skyscraper construction worker dangling over the city or as a skyscraper window washer.

5 - The Magnificent Mile

This might not immediately seem like a place for kids, since it's better known as a place to find department stores and boutiques, but there are lots of places for kids of all ages to enjoy on Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile. Little ones will enjoy the massive Disney Store, children will be amazed to find the American Girl store, and teens will dig the high-tech Nike and Apple shops. Take a break to sip hot chocolate at the Ghiradelli Cafe on the northern end of Michigan Avenue.

Also see: Chicago's German Christmas Market | Chicago Museums and the Magnificant Mile | Ferris Beuller Chicago Tour | Visiting Adler Planetarium in Chicago | Navy Pier Chicago

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