Amy Bizzarri 2023-01-12 06:05:05
Chicago is the ultimate family playground, with adventures that await at beautiful parks and world-class attractions. Stare into the eyes of a lion at the new Pepper Family Wildlife Center within the always-free Lincoln Park Zoo. Beautifully landscaped Brookfield Zoo is home to acres of animals from every corner of the world in suburban Brookfield. At Navy Pier, kids can take a spin on the 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel, ride an old-fashioned merry-go-round at Pier Park, catch a family show at Polk Bros Park, or “drive” a CTA bus at the Chicago Children’s Museum. The Pier’s fireworks light up the night sky throughout the summer. Mingle with over 1,000 fluttering butterflies in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Chicago History Museum challenges kids to catch a fly ball at the White Sox’s ballpark or morph into a giant Chicago-style hot dog. Skydeck Chicago whisks families from its new Chicago-themed museum experience to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. Only the brave dare to step onto The Ledge, a set of glass-floored balconies that extend four feet out from the skyscraper. On the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center, the 360 CHICAGO observation deck offers bird’s-eye views of the city. Step onto TILT, a glass ledge that tilts outward, 1,000 feet above Michigan Avenue. Let the kids run free at Maggie Daley Park. Ice skate in the winter or rollerblade in warm weather on the Skating Ribbon. Or let the whole family try different types of rock climbing on the 40-foot Climbing Wall, with beginner and advanced areas. One of the many highlights of The Forge: Lemont Quarries adventure park in suburban Lemont is the 1,000-foot zip line that whizzes across a picturesque quarry lake. The Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park makes learning fun, inviting kids to stand at the epicenter of a tornado or descend into an Illinois coal mine. The lakefront Museum Campus is home to three amazing institutions. At the Field Museum, guests are greeted by Máximo, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. Kids can watch dolphins leap into the air at the Shedd Aquarium. And explore the depths of space at the historic Adler Planetarium. The Bronzeville Children’s Museum brings African American history to life via interactive exhibits designed for children ages 3 – 9. AUTHOR’S TIP Play in the Chicago Cubs’ backyard! The open-air Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field offers a year-round lineup of family-friendly programming, from movies to live music. Scan here to discover even more family-friendly ideas.
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