Visiting Chicago can be fun for the whole family with a little research and planning. The city offers much to see and do, but not everything is feasible or appropriate when traveling with a baby. For instance, it will be difficult to maneuver a stroller through small spaces, and you won't want your baby's crying to cause a disruption in a quiet location. However, Chicago offers many opportunities for the youngest of audiences to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
One place to see with your little one is the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free and offers a wide range of baby-friendly options. In addition to animal exhibits that can be visited easily while toting or pushing a little baby, the zoo also features a "Farm in the Zoo" exhibit, where barnyard animals can be touched and fed. Another great zoo to visit is the Brookfield Chicago Zoo, located outside the city proper. The zoo offers easy walking paths, great for pushing baby in a stroller, and many exhibits to entertain and delight a young child. For instance, the "Birds Around the World" zoo tour features many different bird species, offering vivid colors and sounds. There is a special zoo area just for children, with a petting zoo and farm animals such as pigs, baby chicks and sheep.
The Chicago Children's Museum features a special area, called the Pritzker Playspace, where children up to age five can play. This hands-on exhibit contains different activities that expose babies and young children to a multisensory environment. For example, there is a mirrored floor that a crawling baby can gaze into and move about on. The playspace also features brightly-colored wooden shapes that can be pushed, moved, and spun by a simple touch. The museum has arts and crafts programs designed just for babies and toddlers through age three, and other imaginative playspaces that are sure to capture youngsters' attention.
The Shedd Aquarium features wide-open halls and easy accessibility to the exhibits when pushing a stroller. Furthermore, the aquarium offers a "Tots on Tuesdays" program, which is geared toward young children and toddlers. According to the aquarium's website, the programs includes story times, arts and crafts, animal touch programs, costumed characters, singing, dancing and other interactive activities.
