Chicago boasts some of the top ranking museums in the world. Among these include the Field Museum of Natural History, John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). The museums, with the exception of MSI, are conveniently located near one another on Chicago's Museum Camus south of Grant Park. Each museum provides exhibits and hands-on learning activities for children. Most have "free days" that can be found on the museum's websites.
The Field Museum of Natural History
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-9410
fieldmuseum.org
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
312-939-2438
sheddaquarium.org
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-STAR
adlerplanetarium.org
Museum of Science and Industry
57th St. and Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
msichicago.org
Chicago offers great outdoor places for children and families to enjoy the windy city. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy festivals in Grant Park or a peaceful stroll along the lakefront. Even the brutal Chicago winters provide something for everyone to enjoy. The most notable features of Chicago winters are ice skating at Millennium Park or Navy Pier, Zoo Lights in Lincoln Park Zoo, Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and shopping along the Magnificent Mile.
Christkindlmarket - Daley Plaza
118 North Clark St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 644-2662
christkindlmarket.com
Grant Park
337 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 747-2474
chicagoparkdistrict.com
Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Dr.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
lpzoo.com
Magnificent Mile Shopping
Michigan Ave. between Chicago River and Oak St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-327-2300
themagnificentmile.com
Millennium Park
55 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 742-5222
millenniumpark.org
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-PIER
navypier.com
One of the most outstanding attractions in Chicago is the architecture. A city once completely destroyed by a fire rebuilt itself to become the host of the 1893 World's Fair and the skyscraper capital of the world. Though it is best to participate in an architectural tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, must see sites include the Sears Tower, the Hancock Observatory and Buckingham Fountain.
Buckingham Fountain
500 South Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 742-7648
Chicago Architecture Foundation
224 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 922-3432
caf.architecture.org
John Hancock Observatory
875 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 751-3675
hancockobservatory.com
Sears Tower Skydeck
233 S. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 875-9696
theskydeck.com
