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Places I Recommend Going With Kids When Visiting Chicago
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items Planning a family trip to Chicago? Here’s a curated list of the best kid-friendly attractions, restaurants, and hidden gems that make exploring the Windy City easy and fun for the whole family. From iconic spots like the Skydeck and Lincoln Park Zoo ...
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Places To Visit
🍕 Family-Friendly Food Spots in Chicago
Places To Visit
The Chicago Children’s Museum, located at Navy Pier, is one of the best family-friendly attractions in the city. Designed for hands-on learning and endless fun, it offers interactive exhibits where kids can build, climb, explore, and create. From the...
Chicago Children's Museum
Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most iconic lakefront destinations, offering stunning skyline views, dining, shopping, and entertainment all in one place. From the Centennial Ferris Wheel to the seasonal fireworks and family-friendly attractions, there...
Chicago's Waterfront Destination | Navy Pier
The Shedd Aquarium is one of Chicago’s top kid-friendly attractions, bringing the wonders of the ocean to life through hands-on exhibits and incredible marine shows. Kids can get up close with dolphins, penguins, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fi...
Shedd Aquarium
The Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower is a must-visit for families who want a fun thrill and unbeatable city views. Kids will love stepping onto The Ledge — a glass balcony that lets you stand 1,353 feet above the city! It’s an exciting, picture-perfec...
Skydeck
Free admission, great for younger kids, close to the city, lots of animals and easy walking trails.
Wildlife Experience in the Heart of Chicago | Lincoln Park Zoo
This massive Chicago science museum turns learning into pure fun. Kids can walk through a real submarine, explore space in the planetarium, and experiment in hands-on science labs. It’s one of the most interactive museums in the city — perfect for cu...
Museum of Science and Industry
At the Adler Planetarium, your kids can reach for the stars — literally! From immersive sky shows to real astronaut gear, it’s an incredible experience for future space lovers. Plus, the lakefront views of Chicago are unmatched.
Adler Planetarium
This butterfly museum in Chicago is a hidden gem for families. Kids can walk through a tropical butterfly haven, explore nature-themed play zones, and learn about wildlife through hands-on exhibits. It’s calm, educational, and great for toddlers.
Inspiring Nature Champions
The Maggie Daley Park Play Garden is one of Chicago’s most creative playgrounds — and it’s huge! Kids can climb, swing, and explore for hours while parents enjoy skyline views. In winter, the Ice Ribbon turns it into a fun skating spot for the whole ...
Maggie Daley Park
FlyOver Chicago is a brand-new flying-theater experience at Navy Pier that takes you on a simulated flight across Chicago’s most iconic landmarks. Kids feel like they’re soaring over the city — it’s thrilling, safe, and totally unique.
Flyover in Chicago
🍕 Family-Friendly Food Spots in Chicago
A Chicago classic! Portillo’s is a must-try for families visiting the city. Kids love the hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and famous chocolate cake shakes, all in a fun, fast-casual setting.
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
The go-to spot for authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza. Families love the cozy vibe, huge portions, and buttery crust that made Lou’s famous. It’s an essential stop on any Chicago family trip.
Lou's Rewards
Start your day at Wildberry, one of Chicago’s most loved breakfast spots. The pancakes, crepes, and omelets are perfect for families, and the kids’ menu never disappoints.
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
Located near Lincoln Park Zoo, this retro-style diner is fun for families with kids. They’ve got burgers, mac & cheese, and milkshakes, plus, the salad bar is a Chicago legend.
R.J. Grunts
Treat the kids (and yourself) to Chicago’s most colorful ice cream cone! Layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio, and orange sherbet, it’s a sweet tradition since 1926.
The Original Rainbow Cone - Chicago's Favorite Ice Cream
If your kids love over-the-top milkshakes, this place is a dream. JoJo’s serves giant, candy-covered shakes that double as a full dessert experience — and the 90s-style decor makes it extra fun.
JoJo's Shake BAR
Ed Debevic’s is one of Chicago’s most entertaining family restaurants — part diner, part show! The 1950s-style spot serves up burgers, fries, and milkshakes with a side of sass (literally — the servers dance on tables and crack jokes while you eat). ...
50s Chicago Diner with Snarky Servers | Ed Debevic's