Last Updated:March 19, 2025, 08:31 IST

In Chicago, there are endless adventures and experiences for little explorers and adults alike all neatly laid out in this trip for the family.

Summer in Chicago is a special time when the entire family can spend time together discovering interactive museums, outdoor rock climbing, sightseeing cruises, and lakefront amusement parks. There are endless adventures and experiences for little explorers and adults alike all neatly laid out in this trip for the family.

Day 1

Head to Pier Park at Navy Pier for breakfast on the go and old-school thrill rides. Do not miss the famed Centennial Wheel with views of the lakefront and skyline from almost 200 feet up. You will also want to check out the Wave Swinger (which is a whimsical 1920s-inspired carousel) and the Chicago Children’s Museum. Experience Chicago from a whole new perspective with the immersive Flyover, a journey that shares Chicago’s story through stunning visuals and authentic cultural connections culminating in an epic 9-minute journey through the city’s most iconic and remarkable places.

From Navy Pier, take the Shoreline Water Taxi to the Museum Campus, where you will find the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and stunning views of the Chicago skyline. Highlights include joining a shark feeding tour and interacting with stingrays at the Shedd Aquarium and grabbing a selfie with Máximo the Titanosaur (the largest dinosaur known to man) and SUE the T.rex at the Field Museum. At the Museum of Ice Cream, dive into a rainbow sprinkle pool and sample sweet treats in rooms designed for play and imagination. Nearby at SlooMoo Institute, kids can craft their own custom slime creations, mixing colours and textures in a sensory playground that brings out everyone’s inner scientist.

Spend the evening on the Chicago Riverwalk, a scenic stretch of waterfront walkway in the heart of downtown. You will find charming cafes and restaurants, local vendors, public art, green spaces, and more. Make sure to get out on the water, whether your family prefers a seated dinner cruise, an educational architecture tour, or a guided kayak outing, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And do not miss Art on theMART, a spectacular light display that can be viewed at the iconic Merchandise Mart along the Riverwalk after dark.

Day 2

The first part of the day is all about discovering Lincoln Park. Grab breakfast outdoors at Chicago’s most scenic al fresco restaurant and bar, the Patio at Café Brauer, before exploring an ecology haven at the Nature Boardwalk. Kids love spotting birds, fish, insects, and wildlife as they meander the boardwalks surrounding the scenic pond. It is also a great spot to snap a family photo with the skyline as your backdrop.

Continue exploring at Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the nation and one of the few that offers free admission. In addition to lions, tigers, and bears, you will find an old-school carousel here, as well as locomotive rides and the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

While you are there, meet goats and ponies at the charming Farm-in-a-Zoo and discover a hidden garden within the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. You can also soak in the sun at North Avenue Beach or visit the kid-friendly Chicago History Museum, both located nearby.

In the afternoon, head to Maggie Daley Park for roller skating, rock climbing, and mini-golfing. Plus, your kids will love the whimsical play gardens, where they will find an enchanted forest, pirate ship, and more. Then cool off at Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain, splashing in the shallow pool that stands between the interactive fountains. End the evening with views of Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” and a free concert at Millennium Park’s summer concert series.

Day 3

Start your day in Hyde Park at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry where they offer an incredible array of interactive exhibits. Kids can step inside a tornado, view model trains, and explore a real submarine. While you are in the neighbourhood, check out the nearby Garden of the Phoenix, Bronzeville Children’s Museum, and an array of locally owned restaurants.

Then if you want to explore a little further, hop in the car and get ready for a day of outdoor adventures. Drive to the Chicago Botanic Garden, home to millions of plants within 27 spectacular gardens. Walk along the garden’s six miles of lake shoreline, visit the beautifully manicured Japanese Garden and English Walled Garden, and see their renowned bonsai collection. You will also be right by Ravinia Festival, an outdoor amphitheatre with a diverse lineup of live music all summer long.

Also, located within an hour’s drive from Chicago, The Morton Arboretum is an outdoor museum with a mission to appreciate, study, and protect trees. The grounds include 1,700 acres that hold more than 222,000 live plants, a visitors centre, a restaurant, a children’s garden, and 16 miles of trails.