Chicago w/ kids this summer - recommendations?

[Hellraiser97 181]

Late change of plans and it looks like we are going to Chicago to visit friends for the last week of July.  I've been to Chicago once for work in January.  That sucked ass.  I'm told Chicago is awesome though, and that either it has beaches or there are beaches reasonably close.  My 6yo and 3yo want a beach as part of the summer vacation, so I'm trying to accommodate.  What does Surly recommend?  (besides drinking heavily, which is a given).

[Brew 3049]

Wrigley, Aquarium, Planetarium, Zoo, the Bean and the Faces and the parks around them, the ferris wheel on Navy Pier, the American Girl Doll Store, and the beaches along Lakeshore Drive are what we did with our kids when they were little. We still do some of those now that they are older but also work in the architectural cruises, Hancock/Sears Tower, Fields Museum, and some of the other museums as well.

[Larry T. Spider 1746]

Brew has a good list. Cubs last day in town is the 26th. I’m an obsessive cubs fan so I’m a bit biased but it’s a must. Wendella architecture cruise is the best and should keep the kids entertained. They serve beer. 

Chicago has great neighborhoods. Pick one that has some kid friendly stuff and go exploring one day. Best summer city in the US imo.

[Helobious 9456]

I believe the Cabrini Row Houses are still standing. Blocks and blocks of an abandoned former housing project surrounded by a trendy hipster neighborhood. From what I heard from a friend it's about as close to a post-apocalyptic lawless cityscape as you can find in any developed country. I'd check it out, how often can you see something like that? 

[Zepol87 9185]

Cabrini green baby

[Chuychanga 133]

The science and technology museum is pretty great for kids. We planned half a day in there and stayed nearly the whole day. 

[jimmyjazz 45880]

Gold Coast beaches are fairly legit.  Water is cold.  

It's a great city to walk -- I used to live in a condo right next to Navy Pier and I would walk up Michigan Avenue to Water Tower Place every other day or so.  It's not like most big cities, the people are very outgoing.  

Definitely hit a museum or two.  Art Institute, Museum of Science & Industry, Field Museum, Contemporary Art, all are world class.

[MNLonghornFUKM 8817]

Chicago's awesome...not sure about age of kids but the architect tour is awesome.

 

 

I probably wouldn't rent a car.

 

[PRONG HORN 3133]

 

 

4 hours ago, Hellraiser97 said:

My 6yo and 3yo want a beach as part of the summer vacation, so I'm trying to accommodate.  What does Surly recommend?  (besides drinking heavily, which is a given).

 

[lemonlime 5503]

If you're really set on beaches (not what I would go to Chicago for), Indiana Dunes are about an hour outside of Chicago. For within the city, North Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach.

 

Also, Brew's list plus the Museum of Science and Industry.

[Stoogey 219]

Chicago hot dog and french fries, Italian beef dipped with giardiniera (although some people prefer green pepper), Chicago deep dish pizza, poutine (which is Canadian but close enough), Green River soda water, smoked chubbs.
 

On 6/6/2018 at 1:09 AM, jimmyjazz said:

Navy Pier ...  Art Institute, Museum of Science & Industry, Field Museum 

Navy Pier fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays through summer. The Miracle Mile, top of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, a river or harbor boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts. (The garage where the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre occurred is long gone.) 

If you do rent a car, Milwaukee's Summerfest. Check out which bands are playing which stage, get there early, park the kids at a picnic table to reserve your place and use the buddy system for food and drinks. Other festivals: https://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/festivals/articles/2018-milwaukee-summer-festival-guide.html?viewall=1

. 

[Stoogey 219]

Better yet. Take the Amtrak Hiawatha.

[MAUFRAIS 6618]

Wiener Circle

[HenryJames 66035]

Go to that place with the hotdogs.

[Stoogey 219]

Greasefreak prefers beefs with green peppers but otherwise he's pretty accurate. http://www.greasefreak.com/

[Don Keibals 113]

I highly recommend leaving them behind.

[jimmyjazz 45880]

55 minutes ago, Stoogey said:

Chicago hot dog and french fries, Italian beef dipped with giardiniera (although some people prefer green pepper), Chicago deep dish pizza, poutine (which is Canadian but close enough), Green River soda water, smoked chubbs.

Hell yes on Italian beef sandwiches.  I make them here at home but kinda roll my own veggies, with a twist.  As good as a Philly, just different.  Now I'm hungry.

[jimmyjazz 45880]

And yeah, Indiana Dunes is cool.  Every time I've been it's been pretty empty, but I don't know if that's always the case.  It's a bit of a drive from downtown, though.

[Hellraiser97 181]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.  Going to go through them with the wife this weekend.

[G650 14229]

On 6/6/2018 at 12:00 AM, Larry T. Spider said:

Best summer city in the US imo.

Always said Chicago is the greatest city in America*

 

*4 months out of the year.

 

Edit: Also, @Hellraiser97 what's your arrival date? You can watch the parade of boats for the Mac Race from the Navy Pier. They make a big to do about it, grandstands and announcers and such, would be a fun kid thing. We start Saturday July 21st.

Edited June 12, 2018 by G650

[Hellraiser97 181]

We're going to be there July 22nd to 28.

[G650 14229]

13 minutes ago, Hellraiser97 said:

We're going to be there July 22nd to 28.

Well, close but no cigar. Sorry.

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

Most of the best suggestions have already been said, but I'll reiterate the Field Museum and Aquarium.  You can also walk along the water there and take a ferry from the point to the Navy Pier.  If you want to freak your kids out, you can go to Chicago 360/John Hancock Observatory and ride the Tilt (basically a window that you stand on while it leans out 94 stories up) or do the clear floor at Sears (whatever it's called now) Tower.

[mbpcb 55]

everyone has mentioned the touristy things (which have their own unique charm), but as a longtime native of Chicago, what I tell everyone who visits in the summer (and will be abiding by again as my nephew and niece come visit us next month) is to hit up the local street festivals on the weekend of your arrival.  from June-Sept my wife and i take our daughter to a different streetfest on each Saturday that we can find one... gets us out to new neighborhoods for new experiences with new people and there is always beer and wine to purchase.  Summer in Chicago is truly a wonderful experience.  

[irishtexan 11512]

I lived in Chicago for 10 years. All above are great suggestions for family trip with a 6 and 3 y/o. Getting around is gonna be a bitch with a 3 y/o. Public transportation is gonna be your friend. Probably not worth renting a car because parking at most of these touristy locations is gonna be a bitch, and not sure if Uber and Lyft can send cars with car seats. Just something to consider. 

Field Museum, aquarium, museum of science and technology, and lincoln park zoo would be super fun for you and your kids. Millennium Park will be fun to walk through with the bean and the faces (look it up). Architectural boat tour is very very cool but I would worry about a 3y/o on it. If your kid can sit for an hour and a half, then I'd go for it. If your kids need to walk around and will get frustrated being stuck on a boat with a lady talking about architecture, then it might not work. On a similar note, it might be fun to take a water taxi down to china town and walk around there. Plenty of cool shit, and some excellent dim sum. I'd say that the Art Institute is a must-see.

Neighborhood festivals are fun. Looks like Wicker Park fest is going on while you're there. Not sure what kind of music you're into, but they usually have a bunch of great bands. This year Guided by Voices is playing for old indie rock dudes like me! But lots of good fun, street food, vendors, etc.

[G650 14229]

20 minutes ago, mbpcb said:

everyone has mentioned the touristy things (which have their own unique charm), but as a longtime native of Chicago, what I tell everyone who visits in the summer (and will be abiding by again as my nephew and niece come visit us next month) is to hit up the local street festivals on the weekend of your arrival.  from June-Sept my wife and i take our daughter to a different streetfest on each Saturday that we can find one... gets us out to new neighborhoods for new experiences with new people and there is always beer and wine to purchase.  Summer in Chicago is truly a wonderful experience.  

I stumbled into a good one over by Erie Cafe a couple years ago.

I've always maintained that Chicago is the best place to be in the summer because the people really appreciate it. Everyone gets the fuck out and enjoys the good weather.

[jimmyjazz 45880]

One thing I love about Chicago is the way neighborhoods tend to segregate according to nationality, but they're all pretty much welcoming of anyone.  It's a more immersive experience than in most cities (ahem, NYC).  You can find Jewish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, Mexican, whatever and there will be a dozen good places to eat and stores to browse within a few blocks.

[Stunns38 3460]

I 2nd the architectural boat/bus tours.
Check out The Sears Tower(fuck Willis Tower) sky deck with the glass floor.
North Ave or Oak St beaches are decent.
Check out the neighborhood festivals. Awesome in summer.
If the Cubs aren’t in town, go down to Comiskey Park(fuck the new name)for a Sox game.
Museums or aquarium, and planetarium.
Navy Pier is overrated but ok for the kids.
Wife would like Michigan Ave for shopping.
Take the kids for Garrett’s popcorn.


Great food town, so many options.
Lou Malnatis or Giordianos for deep dish though the wait for your pizza could be up to an hour. Not sure if hungry kids would be that patient.
Al’s for Italian beefs
There is a world McDonalds there with McDs food from around the world.
Goose Island Shrimp house for fried artery-clogging seafood.
Chinatown is on the way to the Sox stadium.

PM me for more specifics if need be.

[Hundystick 2]

Maggie Daley Park

Museum of Science and Industry

LP Zoo and lunch at RJ Grunts

Festivals

Montrose Beach (a little more kid friendly)

Wrigley

Portillo’s 

Pequods Pizza

 

Edited June 13, 2018 by Hundystick

[G650 14229]

Cam almost taste the steak at Erie Cafe.

[Buzzrock 14902]

I’m in Chicago now and the weather is spectacular. Had a good time at the Gibsons bar last night.

[G650 14229]

On 7/18/2018 at 11:27 PM, Buzzrock said:

I’m in Chicago now and the weather is spectacular. Had a good time at the Gibsons bar last night.

It was fucking awful right after you posted this.

 

Did finally drop by Three Dots and a Dash though. Great tiki bar.

[HenryJames 66035]

Banana daiquiri ftw.

[Hellraiser97 181]

Well trip was a success.  Thanks for all the ideas.  Wife and kids were there Sunday to Wednesday without me.  Wife went to a cubs game with our friends we were visiting, said it was awesome.  They went to the children's museum too I believe.  Once I was there, we went to Millennium Park, just kid of walked around and enjoyed the nice weather, spent a day at the Museum of Science and Industry, kids really loved that, spent a morning at the Lincoln Park Zoo and the afternoon at one of the beaches nearby.  Overall pretty fun.

[G650 14229]

Good shit man. Glad you enjoyed it. Chicago in the summer is the best.

[midtown 3345]

Bump.  What's the consensus on Chicago for spring break with my kids?   Ages 15 and 12.  They have loved our trips to NYC, Seattle, NOLA, etc.   I realize we could be in for some cold temps but and we could take in a Bulls game.   Do they still run the boat tours etc that time of year.   Still good museums and of course great eating

[tx 3 putt 76868]

Wrigley bleachers. Pre game / eat at Murphy’s across the street 

I’m not a beer guy but my last trip we hit five breweries and each was fun and unique 

[mdmost 42999]

Bumping this thread. Thinking of taking the kids in mid-June as this is the last great American city to check off our list with them. They're 15 and 13 so we don't have to hit younger kid specific stuff but I do want things they'll maybe be interested in. Flying in on a Tuesday and out late on Saturday. I figure 3 full days is a good amount of time. Thinking 1 museum day (Field/Art Institute, Millenium Park), 1 split day with Architecture boat tour/Sears Tower/Inner Loop, Cubs have both night games and a day game while we're there so that's on the agenda. We'll probably stay downtown near a rail line or within walking distance of one. The kids loved riding the NY subway and are good at getting around on one. 

What are some good recommendations for kids that are a little bit older? I mean everything is going to be more boring than Tik Tok for the older one but I'm hoping to get some stuff in that the not yet jaded younger one would like. 

[midtown 3345]

Took my 15 and 13 about a year ago for spring break.  It was bone chilling cold.   My kids love to eat as most teenagers do so.  Took them to Portillos, Gibsons, Au Cheval, Billy Goat Tavern and a pizza place of course. 

In addition to the things you already mentioned.  We did a the Museum of illusions. Small but entertaining. We did a walking tour that had a ghost and murder slant to it.  Kids were entertained by that. There is a small military themed museum.  My 15 son like it.  My daughter not so much.  We also did the TILT

Edited February 26, 2023 by midtown

[Brew 3049]

Take our two (17/15) at least once a year. Things that they have enjoyed are going up in both towers, architecture tour and walk through of their museum, taking the water taxis between locations, walking the river or lakefront/beaches when it’s warm, Fields Museum, Art Institute, walking Millenium to see the fountain/Bean, the aquarium, the planetarium, walking Michigan Ave and the surrounding areas north/south of the river, seeing a show, Wrigley, and who knows what else. They always want to eat at Yolk and then Steak 48 lately.

It’s an easily walkable City, so we rarely take the trains any more. We’ll get an Uber if we are getting outside of downtown, but you can easily cover most everything with water taxi’s and walking. We have stayed at a number of places downtown, you can cover any level and budget you want. We have stayed at the Langham the last 4-5 trips because we like the location and the hotel itself.

[txhorns 2409]

Heading to Chicago next week for the marathon.  My 11yo and 9yo will be with us.  We are staying just north of the river so should be walkable to pretty much everything except Wrigley.  We are planning on doing most of the touristy things.  (Millineum Park, Art Institute, Field Museum, Planetarium, Aquarium, Willis Tower)  Two things we have considered but are unsure of if they would be age appropriate for our kids are the Medieval Torture Museum and a gangster tour.  Anyone done either of these and can give a recommendation?  Also looking for kid friendly recommendations in that area?  Anything else we should look into doing?  

[DalTxHornFan 3097]

Our kids loved the Navy Pier, street hot dogs, and riding the CTA from downtown to Wrigley. It's been 15 years since they were kids, so YMMV.

[6th Street 6390]

Aquarium, Planetarium, and Field collectively is overkill. You can do the last two together or do Aquarium. All 3 will be a bit much imo. Personally I'd recommend the Museum of Science and Industry - the most interesting and unique one. Giant u-boat sub, massive model train room, big ass planes, etc. 

I would also recommend a morning or afternoon at North Ave Beach. Great spot for lounging and the water is nice and cool. Can also rent city bikes to cruise down lakeshore. 

[DalTxHornFan 3097]

Ditto on Science and Industry.

[txhorns 2409]

2 hours ago, 6th Street said:

Aquarium, Planetarium, and Field collectively is overkill. You can do the last two together or do Aquarium. All 3 will be a bit much imo. Personally I'd recommend the Museum of Science and Industry - the most interesting and unique one. Giant u-boat sub, massive model train room, big ass planes, etc. 

I would also recommend a morning or afternoon at North Ave Beach. Great spot for lounging and the water is nice and cool. Can also rent city bikes to cruise down lakeshore. 

Hadn’t looked at that museum.   Looks like it’s pretty far south from downtown.  Anything for me to worry about safety wise as we would have to take the train there?

[6th Street 6390]

South side yes but safe and in a nice area next to U Chicago and lakeshore. Why take a train when it's a $15 Uber ride from the loop?

[huge 3793]

13 hours ago, 6th Street said:

South side yes but safe and in a nice area next to U Chicago and lakeshore. Why take a train when it's a $15 Uber ride from the loop?

Because Uber generally sucks?

[mdmost 42999]

A bit nerdy but we enjoyed the McCormick Bridgehouse museum at the Chicago River. You enter down on the riverfront and it takes you through the building starting at the bottom part where the lift mechanism is. It's a quick thing if you're down that way. If you're there on a Bridge Lift day, it's really cool. We did a riverboat architecture tour while they were lifting the bridges and it was cool to see. 

https://www.bridgehousemuseum.org/

https://chicagoloopbridges.com/schedule.html

We took the Metra down to the Aquarium one day from our hotel near Millenium Park and then did an Uber on the way back. It's not as convenient as the L routes since it's the commuter rail. The gap in train times and then the walk to the museums took longer than we expected. When we did the Field Museum on our final morning, we just did an Uber back and forth. The fare wasn't that different than the train and took a lot less time. I'd just do the Uber since you'll have to either walk down to the Millenium Park station and then ride the Metra or take an L down to the station closest to Millenium Park and then jump over. 

There's a fun mini golf course at Maggie Daley Park. Some climbing walls and a roller skating rink if you want to kill some time near Millenium Park. 

Edited October 2 by mdmost

[StassneyHorn 6573]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:43 PM, 6th Street said:

Aquarium, Planetarium, and Field collectively is overkill. You can do the last two together or do Aquarium. All 3 will be a bit much imo. Personally I'd recommend the Museum of Science and Industry - the most interesting and unique one. Giant u-boat sub, massive model train room, big ass planes, etc. 

I would also recommend a morning or afternoon at North Ave Beach. Great spot for lounging and the water is nice and cool. Can also rent city bikes to cruise down lakeshore. 

This is a good post about maybe having too much, kids legs will definitely get tired and might start acting like kids. Museum of Science and Industry is more interactive and kids may enjoy more than Field Museum, but Field Museum will put you closer to all the other stuff in the list. The Hyde Park area where the museum is definitely safe. 

Might want to throw in an Architecture boat tour. You don’t need to be interested in architecture to enjoy, it’s mostly a history tour. Can’t say I’ve done the two you asked about.

Divvy bikes from the loop along lakeshore drive to the north side will see all the beaches and great parks. If you stop at Fullerton Avenue there is a great zoo there that is also free. Also some great views of the skyline from most of the harbors up north (Diversey, Belmont, Montrose)

[StassneyHorn 6573]

Also just a general rule, if you’re taking the L and have children, try to sit in the front car. Less people asking for money, and general riff raff doesn’t go on in the first car.  You don’t need a Ventra card if you’re debit card has the touch or tap feature