THINGS TO do in CHICAGO WITH A baby OR toddler
Chicago’s reflective bean in Millennium Park | Where to push your stroller in Chicago
We love Chicago. We enlisted the help of lots of rookie moms and dads to put together this wonderful list of things to do in Chicago with a baby or a little kid. Whether you’re spending your whole maternity leave in Chicago or just visiting, we’ve got you covered with fun places to push your stroller in the urban jungle and the natural one.
11+ best places to go with a little one in Chicago
1 Millennium Park
One of our best online buddies, Lisa Hazen, told us that Millennium Park (pictured above) is pretty much her favorite city attraction, and best of all, it’s free. With nearly 25 acres smack dab in the middle of the city, you can spend an entire afternoon wandering the park’s wonders. The interactive Crown Fountain will delight, two fifty-foot glass block upon which hundreds of city residents’ faces are projected. When you least expected, one of these giant city residents will spit water at you, gargoyle-style. The Gehry-designed Pritzker pavilion is a terrific place to picnic, and the “bean” (otherwise known as the Cloud Gate) is an optimal location for a playful family portrait. bonus for train lovers: you can take the Red Line directly here. This outdoor park is free to wander.
2 Nature Retreat
Chicago isn’t all concrete and skyscrapers. just outside the city, the Chicago Botanic Gardens boasts 26 gardens on 365 lush acres. open daily until 9pm, this destination is a terrific retreat all year long””the different exhibits are designed to show off the abundance of each season. before your visit, be sure to check the web site to see what drop-in family-friendly activities are available. and definitely make a point to see the exquisite waterfall gardens during your visit. Admission is FREE.
3 Butterfly Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum boasts a number of wonderful permanent exhibits, including River works (a water play exhibit that demonstrates how Chicago’s waterways work) and the Wilderness walk that allows your family to stroll through recreated environments. but the exhibit that will thrill your kids the most is the Butterfly Haven, which allows you to walk among more than 75 species of nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter about in a 2,700 sq. ft. greenhouse. free for children under three.
4 Navy Pier
Yes, Navy Pier is totally touristy, but your kids will love it (secretly, you will, too). Lisa suggests you start with a boat ride””there are a variety of options based on the age of your kids and their relative attention spans. Older kids will thrill at a ride on the 150-foot ferris wheel, and younger kids will love the musical carousel. There’s a you-can-please-everyone food court, and a variety kid-friendly sit-down restaurants to choose from. Navy Pier is also the location of the Chicago Children’s Museum, which [is worthy of] a day-long check out all its own. If you do end up staying the entire day, don’t miss the fireworks display, Wednesday and Saturday nights through Labor Day.
5 The free Zoo, Lincoln Park
Push your stroller up to the North Side (be sure to deck the little guys out in Cubs gear) for some wild fun at the Lincoln Park Zoo. In addition to highlighting native plants and wildlife, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo offers visitors one of the best skyline views in the city. a melhor parte? free with lots of gorgeous city views and paths for walking. second best part? You get to see tons of animals. free and open each day of the year, Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes 3 million visitors through its gates annually.
6 keep strolling along the Lake
Midwestern dad, Jeff Pfaller, tells us the best part about this town is Lake Michigan in the summer. You can walk along the beach and through parks from Bryn Mawr and Sheridan all the way to Navy Pier. grab a stroller, some sunblock and your best people watching specs.
7 museum of science and Industry
Photo: museum of science & Industry
Sarah Parisi from Toddling around Chicagoland wants to get you excited about Chicago at the museum of science and industry to explore a real plane, train, and submarine. learn about the science of storms, examine the giant miniature fairy castle, and lots more. The little ones will love the idea Factory, an activity area for children up to age 10. plan to spend the day at the museum because there is plenty to explore. Tickets are discounted online and children under three are FREE.
8 LEGO lovers build!
If you have a LEGO-lover in the family (and who doesn’t?), Sarah says you must check out LEGOLAND discovery center in Schaumburg, just 40 minutes from downtown Chicago. At LEGOLAND discovery center you can see all the local Chicago landmarks in Miniland, take a walk through a LEGO jungle, ride a dragon through a castle, ride on a Technocycle, see 4D LEGO movies, and lots more! There’s a cafe inside and plenty of restaurants within walking distance. purchase ticketestá online para economizar dinheiro, crianças menores de três são gratuitas.
Foto do Legoland Discovery Center, ao redor de Chicagoland
Enquanto você estiver na área, pare no Firezone, um ambiente interativo com carros de bombeiros e equipamentos reais com funcionários de bombeiros reais ou vão às compras na IKEA por móveis, acessórios para casa e brinquedos. (Adoramos a IKEA para os pais)
9 Morton Arboretum
Se você ainda está pronto para uma pequena viagem, Sarah quer que você vá para Lisle, a cerca de 25 minutos de Chicago, até o arboreto de Morton. Existem 1.700 acres de árvores e jardins para desfrutar e você pode caminhar, andar de bicicleta ou se perder no jardim do labirinto. O jardim infantil tem um riacho secreto, playground, casas de árvores e muito mais! As quartas -feiras são dias de admissão com desconto. Bebês menores de idade são gratuitos todos os dias.
Foto: Morton Arboretum, ao redor de Chicagoland
10 zoológico de Brookfield (o grande)
ACHECE OS LIONS, TIGERS E URSOS (Oh meu!) No zoológico de Brookfield. Você pode caminhar pelo deserto, pela floresta tropical, no mundo tropical, pela costa viva e no deserto de urso fantástico recentemente atualizado, tudo em um dia. Economize algum tempo no Hamill Family Trope Zoo e The Children’s Zoo e para dar uma volta no carrossel. Existem muitas opções para comida no zoológico (incluindo hambúrgueres de búfalo!), Ou você pode trazer seu próprio almoço de piquenique. Compre ingressos com desconto online. Crianças com menos de três anos são gratuitas.
11 diversão científica prática
As crianças de Sarah amam os Laboratórios de Ciência para Crianças para aulas de ciências divertidas e práticas para crianças de 2 a 12 anos em qualquer um dos quatro locais de Chicagoland. As crianças podem experimentar e resolver problemas da maneira mais bagunçada possível-derramando água e absorvendo-a com uma esponja para aprender sobre a absorção, jogando frutos contra a parede para aprender sobre gravidade e impacto, explodindo garrafas pop para aprender sobre gás e pressão- E você não precisa limpar nada disso! As aulas para crianças jovens são aulas de participação dos pais, enquanto as crianças mais velhas (3 ou mais) comparecem sozinhas.
Os pais podem ficar e aproveitar o Wi-Fi gratuito, ou sair e fazer recados no bairro de Lincoln Park. Ela nos garante, as crianças vão adorar!
12 Pronto, definido, cresça!
Outro favorito da família para Sarah é os trópicos, o deserto e uma lagoa interna como um meio de relaxar após uma semana movimentada. Você pode encontrar tudo no Garfield Park Conservatory. Certifique -se de vestir as camadas para as mudanças de temperatura! Procure um impressionante jardim infantil com um escorregador giratório. O Programa de Diversão em Família de fim de semana com muitas atividades e Make & Take Projects. Traga seu próprio almoço para comer à beira da fonte no Horticulture Hall e verifique os jardins ao ar livre se o tempo estiver bom. A admissão é sempre gratuita, embora seja sugerida uma doação.
Muito obrigado a Sarah e Lisa por nos guiar através de Chicagoland. Dirigiu para Chicago para férias? Não deixe de conferir o site de Sarah para TODLDLEOUNDCHICAGOLAND.COM.