My first experience in Chicago involved a car rental, a blizzard, and the loss of my driver side windshield wiper. Since then, I’ve been to Chicago multiple times with the family and with each new experience, I always wish that I had more time to stay and play.
Chicago is filled with an endless number of fabulous attractions both in the heart of the city as well as into the rest of Chicagoland. Here’s Trekaroo’s hot list of places to take kids in Chicago.
Baby Beluga at the Shedd Aquarium. Photo Credit: Flickr/the-o
#1 Place to take Kids in Chicago – Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is not only the most popular places to take kids in Chicago, but also the top rated place to see animals. “They offer live shows with shark feeding, dolphin behavior and have the most beautiful beluga whales, the canaries of the sea!”
Best Museum for Kids under 3 – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
This museum is made for kids to learn about nature. They can hold a butterfly in the Butterly Haven, learn about having a eco-friendly lifestyle in the Extreme Green House, make their own dams and waterways in the Riverworks waterplay area and more.
Sue the T-rex at the Field Museum. Credit: Flickr/cjmaru
Best Museum for Kids – The Field Museum
The Field Museum is home to Sue, the largest T-Rex fossil yet. If your kids don’t know Sue yet, be sure to read The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue by Jan Wahl for kids ages 4-8. “This museum is big, and some areas are great for kids, most like the dinosaurs, mummies, taxidermy animals, bugs, and miniature house and gems.” The rest of the museum is probably better for teenagers and adults.
Doll Heaven – American Girl Place
Literally. Where else can your little girl treat her favorite doll to clothes shopping, a hair treatment (wash and style), visit the Doll Doctor for any chronic issues and visit their homes (ie. Kirsten’s log cabin or Samantha Victorian’s parlor). If your daughter loves her American Girl, you can’t miss this spot.
Best View in Chicago – Willis Tower Skydeck (formerly the Sears Tower)
103 floors up, your kids can enjoy panoramic views of the Windy City from the Willis Tower. The Ledge is such a fun and unique experience for kids of all ages. Hear is first hand from some of the kids who were there this past summer.
Fountain fun at Millennium Park. Credit: Flickr/mpwillis
Best outdoor attraction in Chicago – Millennium Park
“Here’s a place downtown that doesn’t cost anything to get into, a place where the kidlets can run around in open spaces and the older folks can rest their weary feet, a place where contentment prevails. Younger children adore the two towering rectangular fountains in the southeast corner of Millennium Park. These fountains stand 50 feet tall, spaced far enough apart on a black granite slab to create a reflecting pool between them, and the water cascades down their sides with varying intensity.” The other favorite hotspot is the Bean. Don’t forget your camera.
Which Hotels came up at the top? Best Kid-friendly Hotels in Chicago
Other Resources for Chicago:
- Fun in Chicago with Young Kids
- Family-friendly Tips from a Local Mom for Exploring Chicago
- Free and Cheap Entertainment in the Suburbs of Chicago
- Best FREE attractions in and around Chicago
- Free Museum Days in Chicago
- Places to cool off the Kiddos in the Chi-town Area by asmpman
- Kraft Great Kids Museum Passes in Chicago
- Saving Money on Chicago Kids Museums – Museum Adventure Pass
Esther Lee is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL
Heading to Chicago for the Holidays and looking for a kid-friendly hotel? These are the hotels in Chicago that Trekaroo families were raving about in 2009.
Best Kid-Friendly Hotel in Chicago (Parent’s Choice)
Park Hyatt Chicago
Park Hyatt combines both relative affordability with excellent service. CheerioFamily can’t say enough good things about their “superb service”. Momofthreeboys thinks it’s “location is excellent. Right on Michigan avenue, across from Water Tower. There are plenty of shops everywhere. Also a nice playground within walking distance.” asmpman loved the kids “welcome packages with cameras and coloring books”. Families will appreciate the indoor pool and laundry facilities. If you have an American Girl fan, then you’ve got to get the American Girl package – cookies and milk, beds for your daughter’s doll, bathrobes, slippers and even more. Wow! What little girl would not be in heaven!
What’s to love
- Location (near Michigan Ave and Water Tower and a nice playground)
- Kid-friendly staff and service
- Complimentary breakfast and manager’s reception
- American Girl Package
What’s not to love
- Very few suites
Read the full reviews from families on Park Hyatt Chicago | Check Availability and Deals at Park Hyatt
Best Value Kid-friendly Hotel in Chicago
Homeward Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown
Families love this hotel because of it’s spotless rooms and spacious suites that are perfect for families. Couple that with a kitchen and complimentary breakfast and dinners, the value that the Homeward Suites offers is hard to beat. Although this is not a luxury hotel, the rooms and beds are very comfortable. It is also located within walking distance to good public transportation. To check availability and deals. Rates start as low as $110/night at select times of the year.
Other kid-friendly hotels in Chicago
Known for treating kids as well as they do adults, this hotel is luxurious but wonderfully welcoming to families. Book now and get $125 off “while stocks last”. Rates start at $445/night. Check availability and current rates at Four Seasons Chicago
You wouldn’t expect this boutique hotel to be kid-friendly but it is. Besides having sheek rooms, they also have board games and cards, snacks, and free tickets to Navy Pier. It is located just 1 mile from Magnificent Mile where there is lots of shopping and restaurants. Book now. Average nightly rate starts at $230.
This is a good bargain hotel with suites, indoor pool and a decent location. Book early and save 15%. Nightly rates start at $145.
Hotels with pools
Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile (Rates start at $88/night)
The Palmer House Hilton ( Rates start at $95/night)
Best Western River North Hotel ($109/night)
Omni Chicago Hotel (Rates start at $199/night)
Which activities turned up at the top? Hot List of Best Places to take Kids in Chicago
Other Chicago Resources:
- Fun in Chicago with Young Kids
- Family-friendly Tips from a Local Mom for Exploring Chicago
- Free and Cheap Entertainment in the Suburbs of Chicago
- Best FREE attractions in and around Chicago
- Free Museum Days in Chicago
- Places to cool off the Kiddos in the Chi-town Area by asmpman
- Kraft Great Kids Museum Passes in Chicago
- Saving Money on Chicago Kids Museums – Museum Adventure Pass
LiLing Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL
Just yesterday, at the playground our 3 year old who normally would be clambering across the tree house playground was lethargically sitting on my lap in the shade. 
With beads of sweat trickling down his little face he sighed, “I’m roasted like a marshmallow!” One of the best things about summer is finding fun places to cool off our kids close to home or a road trip away.
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/23826464@N04/3479116232
Beach Bumpkins
Kids and beaches are a winning combination. Tidepooling is a fun and educational way to cool off and explore the beach.
Kid-Friendly Tidepools Along the California Coast
Trekaroo families know which beaches are best for kids. Read their reviews:
Kid-friendly Beaches in Miami & Palm Beach, Florida
Kid-friendly Beaches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Kid-friendly Beaches in South Carolina
Kid-friendly Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Fun Escapes into Cool Museums
Not in the mood for getting wet? Escape to an air-conditioned museum instead! Get cool and develop new interests. Lydie Thomas tells us How to Make a Trip to a Museum With a Kid a Pleasant Experience.
Ready? Start exploring kid-friendly museum exhibits for summer 2009 Across the US | San Francisco Bay Area
Museum Free Days in the San Francisco Bay Area – GrandmaDot
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/emeryjl/1317616335
Wonderful Water Parks
River Head, NY: Splish Splash Water Park
Martap112 loves it because it has “a lot of rides to choose from”.
Denver, CO: Water World
One of the largest water parks in the nation with more for young kids than most.
Lydie Thomas reminds us to play hard, but stay safe:
Kid Safety TIps at a Water Park or Public Pool
Water Parks in Florida
Water Parks near San Francisco
Water Park in Washington
Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/papalamour/206475271
Livin’ it up at a Lake
Yosemite, CA: Lake Tanaya
Escape the crowds at this lake with it’s “stunning views, large beach and shallow waters” according to TravelPangs.
Oakland, CA: Lake Temescal
A neighborhood swimming lake that’s a “great place for kids” according to mitchguez.
Jim Thorpe, PA: Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Christine O’Toole recommends it because it “offers more than a vacation’s worth of activities”.
Photo by: Brennan Pang
Splash Pads, Fountains and Pools
Chicago: Splash at Millennium Park
asmpman says, “This whole park is fabulous!”.
San Francisco Bay Area Public Pools
The City | Peninsula | East Bay
San Francisco Bay Area Splash Parks
Peninsula | East Bay
Photo by:www.flickr.com/photos/brian-m/233359192
Unexpected Places to Cool Off
Jacksonville (Florida) Zoo & Gardens:
Splash Ground is a “perfect midday break” from walking around the zoo - BarnesFam
California: Universal Studios
Yes, there’s a splash park! Gretchen “took along swimsuits and watershoes and hung out in the splash park” with her kids all summer.
More Lists for Cooling Off By Trekaroo Familes:
• Places to Cool Off in Texas by romar
• Places to Cool Off in the Chi-town Area by asmpman
• Fun Summer Activities in the Tri-State Area by michipo
(This is an excerpt from our July 2009 Trekaroo Newsletter – Don’t miss any issues: SUBSCRIBE to the Trekarooo Newsletter)
Trekaroo is a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
