15 Best Things to do in Chicago with Kids!

Chicago is one of those cities that feels alive in every season. Families traveling here will find endless activities that mix fun, learning, and adventure. From world‑class museums to outdoor parks, interactive exhibits, and family‑friendly attractions, Chicago offers something for every age group. In this guide, we’ll take you through 15 best things to do in Chicago with kids, explaining each experience in detail, what makes the place special, what families can expect, and tips to make the visit easier.

1. Navy Pier

Built in 1916, Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s busiest attractions, stretching more than 3,000 feet into Lake Michigan. Today, the pier covers about 50 acres and is filled with restaurants, shops, museums, and entertainment spaces. One of its biggest highlights is the Centennial Wheel, a 200 foot‑tall Ferris wheel that gives wide views of the city skyline and the lake. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, sightseeing cruises, and speedboat rides that depart from the pier. Seasonal events like fireworks, live music, and art shows bring more energy to the area, making Navy Pier a year‑round destination for locals and tourists.

2. Lincoln Park Zoo

Covering 49 acres, Lincoln Park Zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals from nearly 200 different species, making it a favorite spot for families. Visitors can explore exhibits such as the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, Regenstein African Journey, and Kovler Seal Pool, where wide range of animals can be seen. Families can enjoy seasonal events, guided programs, and hands‑on activities that make learning about animals fun and easy. With interactive exhibits and educational opportunities, the zoo invites kids and adults to connect with nature and understand the importance of caring for wildlife.

3. Shedd Aquarium

Opened in 1930, Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world and is home to about 32,000 animals from nearly 1,500 species. Families can explore exhibits such as Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Abbott Oceanarium, and Wild Reef, each showing different aquatic environments. Kids especially enjoy the interactive areas, including touch pools and animal encounters, where they can get closer to marine life. The aquarium also offers behind‑the‑scenes tours, special events, and educational programs that help visitors learn more about ocean life in fun and engaging ways.

4. Adler Planetarium

Founded in 1930 by Max Adler, Adler Planetarium holds the name of being the first planetarium in the United States. Families visiting here can enjoy interactive exhibits, historic scientific instruments, and immersive sky shows that make learning about planets, stars, and galaxies simple and exciting. One of the highlights is the Gemini 12 space capsule, displayed alongside exhibits that explore deep space, the solar system, and the history of astronomy. The on‑site Doane Observatory gives guests the chance to look through telescopes and see celestial objects up close, offering a real stargazing experience.

5. Brookfield Zoo

Covers 235 acres, Brookfield Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals from a wide range of species. The zoo is well known for its natural‑style exhibits, with popular areas such as Great Bear Wilderness, Habitat Africa! The Forest, The Living Coast, The Swamp, Seven Seas, Tropic World, and Habitat Africa: The Savannah. Since 1934, the zoo took an innovative approach by using moats and ditches instead of cages, creating spaces that feel more natural for the animals. The zoo also holds a special place in history as the first zoo in U.S to feature giant pandas, making it an iconic landmark for wildlife lovers.

6. Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is a long walkway that runs along the south side of the Chicago River, stretching from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. Along the path, visitors will find restaurants, small cafes, and plenty of seating areas to sit back and watch boats move along the water. A special spot on the Riverwalk is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, while families can also enjoy outdoor activities here, including boat rides and kayak rentals, to enjoy the river ride. Each section of the Riverwalk has its own theme, focusing on dining, history, or leisure, so every part of the walk feels different and inviting.

7. Museum of Illusions Chicago

The Museum of Illusions Chicago is an interactive space filled with more than 80 exhibits that challenge the way we see and think. Guests can step into the Vortex Tunnel, which creates the feeling of spinning even while standing still, or explore the Infinity Room, where mirrors reflect endless images in every direction. The Reverse Room changes perception by making furniture look like it hangs from the ceiling, while the Ames Room plays with scale, making people appear much bigger or smaller than they really are. Visitors are encouraged to take photos and interact with the displays, making it a lasting memories.

8. Chicago Children’s Museum

Located at Navy Pier, Chicago Children’s Museum is a playful and interactive space designed for kids of all ages to learn through hands‑on experiences. WaterWays lets children experiment with how water moves and flows, while the Tree house Trails, kids can enjoy a nature‑inspired play area, climbing and exploring like they’re outdoors. The Dinosaur Expedition recreates a fossil dig site where young explorers can uncover bones and learn more about prehistoric life. Another highlight is the Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures, which displays small objects that spark curiosity and discovery.

9. Maggie Daley Park

The Maggie Daley Park is a 20 acres public park in downtown, linked to Millennium Park by the BP Pedestrian Bridge. Named after Maggie Daley, the city’s former First Lady, it opened in 2014 and one of its main attractions is the Skating Ribbon, which transforms with the seasons — used for ice skating in winter and rollerblading during warmer months. The Play Garden is another highlight, filled with slides, climbing structures, and interactive play zones designed for children. The park also offers a climbing wall, a mini golf course, picnic groves, and tennis courts, giving people plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

10. The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile is a lively stretch of Michigan Avenue in Chicago, running from the Chicago River up to Oak Street. The name “Magnificent Mile” was first used in 1947 by developer Arthur Rubloff, it’s one of the busiest parts of the city, filled with shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions that bring visitors year‑round. Today, it’s home to more than 460 stores, ranging from luxury brands like Gucci and Burberry to department stores and small boutiques. Walking tours are popular here, giving people a chance to admire the architecture and learn about history of the district while enjoying the energy.

11. Millennium Park

The Millennium Park is one of the most popular attractions in downtown, bringing together art, entertainment, and outdoor fun in one space. Its most famous feature is Cloud Gate, often called “The Bean,” which reflects the city skyline, making it a favorite photo spot. Nearby, the Crown Fountain shows digital faces on tall glass towers with water flowing down, and in summer it becomes a playful area where kids enjoy splashing around. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is another highlight, hosting free concerts and performances on a wide open lawn where visitors gather to enjoy music in the fresh air.

12. Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park

The Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park offers a treetop adventure filled with rope bridges, climbing challenges, and exciting zip lines. The main course includes five zip lines, high platforms, and crossings that test balance and coordination. The park runs from spring through fall, and reservations are a good idea, particularly on weekends when it gets busy. Beyond ziplining, visitors can try axe throwing or explore treetop nets for a different way to enjoy the forest setting. Riding the zip lines gives guests a thrilling glide through the trees, combining outdoor fun with a rush of excitement.

13. James M. Nederlander Theatre

Opened in 1926, James M. Nederlander Theatre is a historic Chicago venue designed by George and Cornelius Rapp as a grand movie palace and vaudeville stage. Over the decades, it welcomed legendary performers such as Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, and The Three Stooges. With seating for 2,253 guests, the theatre is now managed by Broadway In Chicago and regularly hosts touring Broadway productions along with special performances throughout the year. It remains an important part of Chicago’s theater scene, giving audiences the chance to enjoy world‑class shows in a well-preserved historic setting.

14. Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Opened in 2004, Jay Pritzker Pavilion is an outdoor concert space in Millennium Park, designed by architect Frank Gehry. It serves as a central spot for free concerts, festivals, and cultural programs throughout the year. The pavilion is known for its striking 120‑foot stainless steel structure and can hold about 11,000 people, with 4,000 fixed seats and room for 7,000 more on the Great Lawn. It is the home of the Grant Park Music Festival, and during summer, the pavilion also hosts jazz, blues, and world music shows, drawing large crowds and creating a lively atmosphere in the heart of Chicago.

15. Kohl Children’s Museum

Opened in 1985, Kohl Children’s Museum creates a playful learning environment where kids can discover and explore through hands‑on exhibits. With 16 different areas focused on early childhood growth, the museum encourages imagination, problem‑solving, and creativity. In Water Works, children experiment with how water flows, while The Build It! exhibit introduces simple engineering concepts through fun building activities. Beyond the indoor spaces, the museum also features an outdoor area that connects children with natural outdoor, offering opportunities for fresh‑air learning.

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