Tips for travel to Chicago with kids

Traveling to Chicago with kids can be a fun and enriching experience!  I have spent a huge amount of time researching and planning our trip for this month, so I thought id share some of the tips and hints I have gleaned form my own research,

1. Kid-Friendly Attractions

Anything I have read about Chicago talks about the amazing selection of  attractions and in particular museums for all ages and interests, making Chicago with kids an ideal holiday destination. Some on our list so far are:

• Shedd Aquarium: A fantastic spot for kids to see marine life, with interactive exhibits and live animal shows.
  

  Pic Credit: Pixabay

• Museum of Science and Industry: Highly engaging for children, with exhibits like a giant heart, a coal mine, and hands-on activities.
• Lincoln Park Zoo: One of the oldest free zoos in the U.S., it’s a great way to spend a day without breaking the budget.
• Navy Pier: With its Ferris wheel, Children’s Museum, and parks, it’s a lively spot kids will enjoy.
• Millennium Park: Kids love the “Bean” (Cloud Gate sculpture), and in summer, the Crown Fountain is a great place for water play.

2. Plan Around Weather

• Summer: Chicago has great outdoor activities, so plan for parks, splash pads, and lakeshore fun.
• Winter: Be ready for cold weather, but you can still enjoy indoor activities like museums, ice skating at Maggie Daley Park, or the Art Institute of Chicago (free for kids under 14).

3. Public Transportation

• The ‘L’ Train: Easy and exciting for kids! They’ll love the elevated view of the city, and it’s a cost-effective way to travel.
• Water Taxi: In the warmer months, this is a fun and unique way to get around and see the city from a different perspective.

4. Food Options

• Kid-Friendly Dining: Chicago has many family-friendly restaurants. Try Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s for deep-dish pizza, or Portillo’s for classic Chicago-style hot dogs.
• Nutella Cafe: Top of my youngest’s list!!
• Healthy Snacks: Pack snacks for long days of exploring, as lines at popular spots can be long.

5. Stay Near the Action

• Stay in neighborhoods like The Loop, Streeterville, or River North to be close to many attractions. Most sites will be within walking distance or a short train ride away. We spent a lot of time researching travel to Chicago with kids and settled on the brand new Riu Plaza Chicago. It looks ideal for us in terms of location, breakfast included, good sized rooms and check out that
  

  Pic Credit: Pixabay

  rooftop bar! The views!!

6. Parks and Playgrounds

• Maggie Daley Park: Offers a large playground, climbing walls, and an ice skating ribbon in winter.
• Grant Park: Large, open spaces to let the kids run around with great views of the city skyline.

7. Safety Tips

• Busy Areas: Be mindful of crowds in popular tourist spots, especially around Navy Pier or Millennium Park. Keep a close eye on kids in busy areas.
• Waterfront: If you’re near Lake Michigan or the Chicago River, ensure kids are safe, as these areas are beautiful but as with any area proximity to water required special care in terms of younger kids especially.

8. Get the CityPASS

If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Chicago with kids, look into the Chicago CityPASS, which gives discounted access to several popular sites, including the Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago. We have already pre booked some of our attractions via the CityPASS app which is so handy. You can amend your booking details in there which again is super helpful when traveling with kids.

Planning ahead and including some downtime will help ensure a fun and less stressful Chicago with kids trip! Do check back next month to see how we got on and what attractions were hit (or miss!)