The Garfield Park Conservatory is made up of outdoor gardens, six greenhouses and two exhibition halls that feature all kinds of plant life. It may sound dry, but the Conservatory is a very child-friendly place. There is a children's garden that's part museum and part playground, including a 7-foot-tall seed that children can climb on and a giant bee that demonstrates what pollination is. Children will also enjoy going on a scavenger hunt, using the printable guide on the Conservatory's website. Admission is free, and the Conservatory is open every day of the year.
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60624
312-746-5100
garfield-conservatory.org
Around 32,500 animals live at Shedd Aquarium, including beluga whales and a giant Pacific octopus. Shedd has seven exhibits to explore, including a play zone for young children. The aquarium also offers a variety of "extraordinary experiences," that allow visitors to take a beyond-the-scenes tour, meet beluga whales or penguins up close or even have a sleepover in the aquarium. These experiences have extra fees in addition to the aquarium's admission fees. Adult admission is $26.95 as of October 2010; children under 11 years are $19.95. The aquarium is open daily but closed on major holidays.
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
312-939-2438
sheddaquarium.org
Even the most jaded of teenagers will get a kick out of a ghost tour--but keep in mind that this attraction is not recommended for young children. Chicago Haunting Tours runs bus tours of Chicago's haunted locations and spookiest spots. Guests climb aboard a black Ghost Tour bus and spend two hours learning about the haunted history of Chicago, as experienced guides tell stories about the ghosts and legends of the city. There are several stops where visitors get off the bus to get a closer look at spooky sites--although the company won't tell you in advance what they are to keep an air of mystery. They run a few special tours, but the signature tour runs every night at 7 p.m. and is $28 a person. There are also matinee and late-night tours during the weekend. Tours depart from 600 North Clark Street.
Chicago Haunting Tours
888-446-7891
chicagohauntings.com
Chicago's position next to Lake Michigan means there are plenty of lakeside trails for exploring. Rent a bike from any of Bike and Roll's 10 locations and ride along the 18 miles of lakeside trails. Bike and Roll has bikes for the whole family that can be rented by the hour or the day. An adult bike starts at $30 for a full day, and a child's bike starts at $20 a day. They also rent quadcycles, which are multi-rider bikes that are good for riding with small children. A five-person quadcycle is $28 an hour. An eight-person quadcycle is $38 an hour, as of October 2010. All rentals include helmets and maps.
Bike and Roll Chicago
312-729-1000
bikechicago.com
