Family Living


Downtown Chicago Must-Dos: A Summer Bucket List for Families

Family Living | May 26, 2023
girl with helmet playing at Chicago Children's Museum

Downtown Chicago offers families many ways to enjoy the warm sun or escape inside when an unexpected rain shower pops up. Pack your bags with plenty of snacks and sunscreen for these fun-filled urban adventures. You and your child will make summer memories taking in the stars, creating art, cheering on baseball teams, and learning about animals. For most outings on this list, you can even be home by nap time!

Adler Planetarium

Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, America’s first planetarium, is perfect for inspiring future space explorers. As a public museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics, Adler Planetarium offers multiple activities for families and is a fun way to explore science with your child. Children can blast off to Planet X as a Planet Explorer, play their way across the universe in the Community Playlab, or learn about the moon in the iconic dome theater. Discounts, specials, and free days are available. 

Art Institute of Chicago

Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Named Chicago’s #1 museum on TripAdvisor, families will be wowed by beautiful art exhibitions. Young artists can get hands-on experience in the Ryan Learning Center, where they can create an art project, explore the Multisensory Gallery, make a custom museum tour with JourneyMaker, and more. Admission is always free for children under 14.

Baseball Games

Boasting two Major League Baseball teams, Chicago is certainly a sports-friendly town. Family members of all ages will enjoy a day spent cheering on the Chicago Cubs or rooting for the Chicago White Sox. The Chicago Cubs, the 2016 World Series champions, play at the famous Wrigley Field, while the Chicago White Sox call Guaranteed Rate Field home. Both offer a fun, family-friendly atmosphere and unique programs for children. Cubs fans can check out the Cubs Kids club and White Sox fans can sign up for White Sox Kids for special perks and benefits.

Chicago Children’s Museum

The Chicago Children’s Museum is where learning and play meet. Toddlers and younger preschoolers can actively explore Treehouse Trails, Kids Town, and the daily playgroup at Pritzker Playspace. Older preschoolers and school-aged siblings may spend the day digging for dinosaur “bones,” tinkering with real tools, and tapping into their inner artist. Located at Navy Pier, The museum is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is always free for children under 12.

girl with helmet playing at Chicago Children's Museum
Photo Courtesy of Chicago Children’s Museum

The Field Museum

Founded 130 years ago in 1893, the Field Museum is one of the world’s great natural history museums. Children and families can explore dinosaurs, mummies, and exclusive special exhibitions. The museum makes learning about science accessible for children through free admission days, ongoing storytime in partnership with the Chicago Public Library, and inviting exhibits like the Rice Native Garden, the Grainger Science Hub, and multiple summer camps. 

visitors at the Field Museum in Chicago
Photo by Lucy Hewett, (c) Field Museum

Lincoln Park Zoo

One of the nation’s oldest zoos, Lincoln Park Zoo provides an inclusive and welcoming experience that connects people with nature. Children can explore the sights, smells, and textures of nature at farm-in-the-zoo or investigate the natural world as part of a LEAP class. At the children’s zoo, preschoolers can climb in a treehouse and cool off in the splash pad. The zoo is open 365 days a year, and general admission is free for all ages.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
Photo Courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a lively, spectacular gathering spot located in the heart of the city with free concerts and public art exhibits. It’s a great place for a family picnic, so pack a lunch or purchase food when you arrive. You can enjoy some quality time in the park’s beautiful atmosphere. Be sure to snap a family photo in front of Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean, a stainless steel structure that has become a signature Chicago landmark. Millennium Park is open daily, and admission is free.

families listening to music at Millennium Park
Photo Courtesy of The City of Chicago Millennium Park

Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere. Here, science comes to life for visitors of all ages. Preschoolers and their families can get in touch with their inner scientist by learning about storms, discovering how the body works, and splashing, stacking, and spinning up new discoveries in the Idea Factory. Beginning June 17, the museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Special rates are available for members and groups.

Museum of Science and Industry building in Chicago
Photo by Heidi Peters, Museum of Science and Industry

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long Chicago landmark. Situated on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan, the pier is a place where all ages can play, shop, eat, and enjoy entertainment. Children can climb aboard the carousel, spin in the teacups, and get a bird’s eye view of the city from the Centennial Wheel. Staying up late? Take in one of Navy Pier’s summer firework shows on Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The pier opens daily at 11:00 a.m. While admission is free, some rides may have additional charges.

Shedd Aquarium

Spend the day under the sea without losing your land legs at Shedd Aquarium. Home to saltwater and freshwater fish, penguins, corals, crustaceans, beluga whales, jellies, dolphins, sea lions, and more, aquatic life abounds in 12 thoughtfully crafted exhibits. Preschoolers can encounter starfish, sturgeons, and stingrays, and the aquarium offers discounts, free days, and plan-ahead pricing.

child exploring Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Photo Courtesy of Shedd Aquarium

The Gardner School Encourages Learning All Year

The Gardner School provides an engaging curriculum, caring teachers, and educational spaces for children and infants. To learn more about our Chicago preschools, contact us to set up a tour. 

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