CONTENTS FEATURES RESOURCES FAMILY FUN IN CHICAGO Chicago is the ultimate family playground, with adventures that await at beautiful parks and world-class attractions. BY AMY BIZZARRI Scan here to discover even more family-friendly ideas. Shedd Aquarium Maggie Daley Park Climbing Wall 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. 26 choosechicago.com LEFT TO RIGHT: ALEJANDRO REYES/SHEDD AQUARIUM; @TEQUILAGRAPHICS
Chicago Visitors Guide 2023: Page 26
