Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Chicago, Illinois, where the historic Route 66 begins, ranks as the third-largest city in the United States. World-class cultural offerings exist throughout the city, which is also home to the oldest public zoo in the country. In Chicago’s downtown area, nicknamed “The Loop,” visitors will find museums with displays and activities that appeal to arts and cultural enthusiasts of all ages.
The Art Institute of Chicago houses the third-largest permanent collection in the United States, with more than 260,000 works of art and artifacts that encompass 5,000 years of creativity from cultures around the world. The museum boasts particularly strong collections of world-famous French Impressionist paintings and drawings, as well as early 20th century European painting and sculpture, Chinese jades, contemporary art, Japanese prints and photography.
Art-making activities, exhibitions, self-guides, games and more allow families to explore, discover and enjoy art together. The museum welcomes groups, and has three on-site restaurants -- The Garden Café, Terzo Piano and Cafè Moderno. The Modern Wing of the museum connects to Chicago’s iconic Millennium Park.
The Museum of Contemporary Art presents diverse mediums of art through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Talks, discussions and live performances occur throughout the year in the museum's 300-seat theater. Family Days and Summer Outdoor Creation Stations are free for families with children under 12. The museum has a gift store, bookstore and a terraced sculpture garden, and its on-site restaurant, Puck's, features cuisine from chef Wolfgang Puck. The museum offers free public tours daily for individual visitors, but guided tours and group visits must be scheduled in advance.
The Field Museum holds over 26 million artifacts of biological and anthropological specimens, complemented by a natural history library. Meet Sue, the largest, most complete T. rex ever found. Explore an ancient Egyptian tomb and see the natural beauty of the Earth’s gems and how they transform into jewelry.
In the Ancient Americas Hall, you can explore the Aztec empire and its island capital Tenochtitlan, as well as artifacts from the Hopewell tradition, the Maya, the Inca, the mammoth hunters of North America and many others. Children will enjoy some of the museum’s most exciting treasures including dinosaur hall. An on-site McDonald’s and the Corner Bakery sell snacks and meals, with vending machines and picnic seating also available.
The Chicago Children’s Museum caters to children from birth through fifth grade and their families. Age-appropriate displays focus on science, math, literacy, the arts and diverse cultures. An authentic excavation pit in the interactive Dinosaur Expedition allows kids to learn first-hand what it’s like to be a member of the expedition team. Play It Safe encourages children and families to step into the boots of a firefighter and explore fire safety through play. Get wet at WaterWays, climb to the crow's nest on the Kovler Family Climbing Schooner, or visit the Treehouse Trails, designed for children under 5. Visitors can also explore diverse art forms in daily Kraft Artabounds Studio workshops.