fun things to do with kids in chicago - family travel    
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Chicago, the “Windy City,” is also called the “Wild Onion” (the name Chicago comes from the Native American word shikaakwa), or “Second City,” the city rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871. In Chicago, kids can go up Willis (Sears) Tower, the tallest skyscraper in North America, check out dinosaurs and Impressionist paintings in the museums, soar on a giant ferris wheel or ride the elevated train in the Loop.
Tip: Don't miss our top picks for children's books on Chicago, recommended by the staff of Travel for Kids, see below.
    Grant Park - Art Institute of Chicago
    Navy Pier
    Magnificent Mile
    Lincoln Park
    The Loop
    Museum Campus - Field Museum
    Hyde Park
    Ride the free trolleys – Chicago has four different free trolleys, with stops at places you’ll want to explore. The red, yellow and green trolleys go from the Willis Tower to the Field Museum, Water Tower and Navy Pier, daily in summer, weekends the rest of the year. The blue trolley goes in a loop from N. Michigan Ave. to Navy Pier, daily year round.
    Go to a baseball gameWrigley Field, an old-fashioned open air ball park, is a wonderful place to see a baseball game. Built in 1914 and the second oldest in America, the field hosts the Chicago Cubs baseball team. April through September, there are beind the scenes tours of this historic ball park. Click here for the schedule.
   

Fun food

   

Chicago style hot dogs - load up your hot dogs with all the toppings, mustard, onion, relish, pickle, celery salt (ketchup is a special request). Chicago is also famous for its deep dish pizza, so sample pizza around the city. Caramel popcorn was practically invented in Chicago, kids will enjoy a bag full. For a dessert, there's Eli’s cheesecake.

     

Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) department store on State St. has long been a popular family destination for lunch (chicken pot pie and desserts) in the Walnut Room. The Tiffany ceiling, chandeliers and dark wood paneling are a glimpse into a previous century, and in December, the Christmas tree.

family hotels chicago

Travel for Kids has so many fun things to do with kids in Chicago, but you'll need a fun place to stay.

Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels in Chicago, all styles and price ranges, in neighborhoods that are comfortable for families, and near to places you'll want to explore

Chicago family hotels
travel tools chicago

Buy a Go Chicago Card for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 day pass for discounts on museums and fun things to do - the Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Willis Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier Ferris wheel and rides, plus a lake cruise, and more. Savings for the whole family, and no waiting in ticket lines:

Go Chicago Card
Visiting the museums in Chicago? This pass has great discounts on the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Hancock Observatory:
Chicago CityPass
kids books Chicago
     
Journey Around Chicago - kids books Chicago  

Charming tour of Chicago, past and present, with richly detailed illustrations, from art and bridges to sports teams, museums, buildings, food, and music. (Picture book)

 

     
The Sixty Eight Rooms
Marianne Malone, Greg Call

While visiting the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago, Ruthie and Jack discover a magic talisman that allows them to shrink, small enough to step into all the miniature rooms. (Chapter book)

 

 
     
Oliver's Game - kids books Chicago  
Oliver's Game
Matt Tavares

It’s 1941, and young teen gets a chance to bat for the Chicago Cubs, but his career is cut short. Years later, Oliver takes his grandson to his favorite place in the world, Wrigley Field. Beautifully illustrated. (Picture book)

 

     
The Wright 3
Blue Balliett, Brett Helquist

The Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright is about to be torn down, but there’s strange goings on in the house. Three friends search for ghosts, discover a glass man, and fight to save the house. A super Chicago mystery adventure! (Chapter book)

 

 
The Wright 3 - kids books Chicago
     
Fair Weather  
Fair Weather
Richard Peck

Summer 1893. The World's Columbian Exposition is in full swing. The Beckett kids and rascally Granddad are transformed by Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, Turkish tea and German sauerbraten, and a ride on the great Ferris wheel. High above the fair, sparkling with diamonds of electric light, everything is possible. (Chapter book)

 

     
Magician in the Trunk (Time Spies)
Candice Ransom

Kids travel back in time to the 1893 Columbian Exposition, where they help Harry Houdini, take the "World's Greatest Ride," try Cracker Jacks for the first time, and catch a thief who's stolen a lock of Thomas Jefferson's hair from one of the exhibits. (Chaper book)

 

 
     
Chicago History for Kids - kids books Chicago  

Illustrated history of Chicago over centuries – ecology and important events, explorers, Native Americans, politicians, immigrants, musicians, gangsters, athletes, plus 21 activities, build a model ferris wheel, make a stained glass window, recipes for caramel corn and Chicago-style hot dogs, write a blues song, and more. Good for older kids. (Chapter book)

 

     
Good Night Chicago
Adam Gamble, Joe Veno

A day in Chicago, from morning to night – Lake Michigan and Chicago River, the zoo and aquarium, model trains and dinosaur bones at the museums, jazz and art. (Board book)

 

 
Good Night Chicago - kids books Chicago
     
Junior Jetsetters Guide to Chicago  
Junior Jetsetters Guide to Chicago
Pedro Marcelino, Slawko Waschuk

Explore Chicago from a kid's eye view – Field Museum, Wrigely Field, Navy Pier, Robie House, parks, museums, skyscrapers, music, festivals, and more. (Guidebook)

 

(More children's books on other Chicago pages)