Nowhere other than Chicago can visitors experience more than 45
museums, attend major league sports events, dine at restaurants of every
cuisine, enjoy theater performances and see a panoramic view from the
Western Hemisphere's tallest building. The Chicago Office of Tourism
is pleased to assist families planning their summer vacations with
family activities that engage and delight all ages.
Navy Pier -
Navy Pier is free to the public and is Chicago's most visited tourist
attraction. The Pier features attractions such as a permanent
150-foot-high Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, an old-fashioned swing
ride, remote control boats, daily musical and theatrical performances,
and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Navy Pier is also home to the
Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze, Chicago Children's Museum, and IMAX
Theater at Navy Pier. Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day
through Labor Day, Navy Pier hosts a fireworks display that fills the
sky over Lake Michigan.
Major League Baseball -
Chicago boasts two Major League baseball teams, the Cubs and the White
Sox. No summer trip to Chicago would be complete without a visit to
Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs) or U.S. Cellular Field (home of
the Chicago White Sox). Parents and kids alike will enjoy a history
lesson while at Wrigley Field, the nation's second oldest major league
baseball park. U.S. Cellular field offers family fun with its Pontiac
Fundamentals area where kids can access baseball clinics, batting cages,
and practice pitching areas. Both ballparks are accessible by rapid
transit, which is part of the overall experience. If you miss going to
a game, both parks offer tours at reasonable rates.
Hancock Observatory and Sears Tower Skydeck -
Chicago is home to two of the world's most famous skyscrapers, the
John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower. Guests can see Michigan,
Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois from the top of each structure. Built
in 1973, the Sears Tower is the tallest building in the Western
Hemisphere at 1,450 feet tall. The Hancock Observatory features talking
telescopes, so visitors can hear and see the sights. The Sears Tower
Skydeck features knee-high displays and scavenger hunts for the kids.
Both buildings have skydecks, which are open to visitors daily for a
small entry fee.
Millennium Park -
Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and
features world-class architecture and entertainment year-round.
Children and adults alike will marvel at the Cloud Gate sculpture where
you can see your reflection framed against the city's dramatic
skyline. The park is free to the public and in warmer months, kids of
all ages will love playing in the park's Crown Fountain, which
includes two 50-foot glass towers at each end that project video images
of the faces Chicagoans. Each summer the park features hundreds of free
events including the Great Performers of Illinois and the Family Fun
Festival.
Lincoln Park Zoo -
Lincoln Park Zoo is a world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers
and is free to the public 365 days a year. The zoo includes polar
bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species totaling
nearly 1,250 animals. There are two designated sections of the zoo for
children, the Pritzker Family Children's Zoo and the Farm-in-the-Zoo,
presented by John Deere. In the Children's Zoo kids can observe red
wolves, black bears, river otters, and beavers in a woodsy outdoor
setting, then head inside to play on the Treetop Canaopy Climbing
Adventure. At the Farm-in-the-Zoo, the family can learn the origins of
the food we eat, climb aboard a tractor, and visit with sheep, pigs,
ponies, cows, and chickens.
Chicago lakefront -
Chicago enjoys 26 miles of lakefront offering biking, swimming,
fishing, boating, or walking along Lake Michigan while enjoying
Chicago's stunning skyline views. Make sure to check out the boats
in Monroe Harbor; enjoy the evening light shows at Buckingham Fountain;
play in the water at Oak Street Beach; and enjoy the scenery at
Promontory Point in Hyde Park along the way. There are plenty of
stopping off points to have a picnic, throw a football, or fly a kite.
International Chicago cuisine -
While Chicago has more five-star restaurants than any other city in the
world and is famous for pizza, hotdogs, and popcorn, the city is also
home to a diverse dining scene. The international community in Chicago
is thriving and by trying one of its many restaurants you can give
children a peek into other cultures and traditions. Families can
discover the history and neighborhoods of Chicago by eating their way
through the city. Children can taste food from countries around the
world in any one of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods. Some kid-friendly
favorites are Greek, Thai, Chinese, Polish, Mexican, Italian, and German
cuisines.
Chicago family hotel packages - Chicago hotels have many top-notch
accommodations to fit the needs of the most discriminating traveler.
Several hotels are rolling out the red carpet for children and families!
Hotels such as the Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro, Hotel Monaco, Four
Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Westin Michigan Avenue, and Residence Inn
Chicago Downtown have developed hotel packages that are designed to
please the entire family. Packages include some of the following
amenities: complimentary CityPass admission booklet, free meals and room
service for children, opportunities to create your own pizza or ice
cream sundae, milk and cookies before bed, Nintendo, and a pet fish in
your room.
Chicago Museums - Chicago has a very impressive collection of
world-class museums to call its own, with many that are both interactive
and educational. Adults and children alike will marvel at Chicago's
collections and exhibitions by visiting the Art Institute of Chicago
Kraft Education Center, learning about history at the DuSable Museum of
African-American History, boarding submarines at the Museum of Science
and Industry, looking in on "Sue" the preserved Tyrannosaurus rex at
the Field Museum, checking out the sharks up close at the Shedd
Aquarium, and gazing at the stars at the Adler Planetarium. Along with
such a stellar collection of institutions come two that cater
specifically to children. Families can learn about African-American
history at the Bronzville Children's Museum and take advantage of
three floors of hands-on exhibits at the Chicago Children's Museum.
Visitor Information Resources - Chicago's visitor information centers
are conveniently located in two of the city's most popular areas. Plan
to visit the information centers when you arrive in Chicago and receive
free brochures featuring attractions and special events. Friendly
information representatives will answer your questions and assist your
family in planning an action-packed itinerary. The visitor centers are
located in the Chicago Cultural Center at 77 East Randolph across from
Millennium Park and at the City's historic Water Works pumping station
on Michigan Avenue. Additionally, the Chicago Office of Tourism is home
to the Chicago Greeter program. Chicago Greeter links friendly,
knowledgeable Chicagoans up with visitors looking to see the sights
through the eyes of a local. The Greeter program can tailor their tours
to meet the needs of the entire family.
All photos courtesy of City of Chicago/Graphics and Reproduction
About the Author:
The Chicago Office of Tourism, a division of the Department of Cultural
Affairs, is the official city agency dedicated to promoting Chicago to
domestic and international visitors and to providing innovative visitor
programs and resources. For more information please visit
www.cityofchicago.org/tourism or call 1.877.CHICAGO.
Thanksgiving
The leaves are almost done falling and Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! Whether you are looking for fun crafts, great recipes, or costume ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Chicago lakefront -
Chicago enjoys 26 miles of lakefront offering biking, swimming,
fishing, boating, or walking along Lake Michigan while enjoying
Chicago's stunning skyline views. Make sure to check out the boats
in Monroe Harbor; enjoy the evening light shows at Buckingham Fountain;
play in the water at Oak Street Beach; and enjoy the scenery at
Promontory Point in Hyde Park along the way. There are plenty of
stopping off points to have a picnic, throw a football, or fly a kite.
Chicago family hotel packages - Chicago hotels have many top-notch
accommodations to fit the needs of the most discriminating traveler.
Several hotels are rolling out the red carpet for children and families!
Hotels such as the Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro, Hotel Monaco, Four
Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Westin Michigan Avenue, and Residence Inn
Chicago Downtown have developed hotel packages that are designed to
please the entire family. Packages include some of the following
amenities: complimentary CityPass admission booklet, free meals and room
service for children, opportunities to create your own pizza or ice
cream sundae, milk and cookies before bed, Nintendo, and a pet fish in
your room.
Win Fun Stuff!
Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
