The city of Chicago is situated in the northeast part of Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan. The city is a vibrant, metropolitan mecca and draws millions of visitors a year. Chicago offers an array of activities for parents and kids alike. From numerous museums to amusement parks and bike trails, the city of Chicago has it all.
Biking
Rent bicycles with the kids and explore all Chicago has to offer. Chicago’s lakefront is a biking paradise, featuring 18 miles of safe and well-marked trails. Bike Chicago Rentals and Tours, located at Navy Pier, offers a selection of over 200 bikes for men, women and children and can accommodate individuals to large groups. Helmet and bike lock rentals are free. The company also provides bike rentals at Millenium Park, DuSable Museum, Adler Planetarium and Foster Beach. Guided bike tours depart 10 times a day from their Navy Pier, Millenium Park and DuSable Museum locations and are usually between two to four hours in duration. Bike Chicago Rentals and Tours is open daily from April 1 through October 31.
Ice Skating at the Park
The kids will love to discover the 24.5-acre Millennium Park located in downtown Chicago. The park features interactive public art designs, free classical music presentations by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, numerous fountains and sculptures and is home to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most modern outdoor concert venue in the United States. The park is also home to McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, a 15,910-square-foot outdoor ice rink facility. Located at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, the ice rink is open from mid-November to mid-March. There is no fee for admission but there is a nominal skate rental fee.
Amusement Park
Located on the upper deck of the famed Navy Pier on beautiful Lake Michigan, Pier Park boasts numerous rides including a 150-foot Ferris wheel, a carousel, an 18-hole miniature golf course, an old-fashioned swing ride and remote-controlled boats. Tickets may be purchased individually or at a discount as a family combo special. Navy Pier also offers a variety of restaurants and a food court for your convenience.
Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo, located on North Clark Street in Chicago, is an oasis in the middle of the city. Open daily year-round, the zoo charges no admission fee and is one of the United States' most distinguished zoological facilities. Kids get a chance to come nose-to-nose with apes in the state-of-the-art Regenstein Center for African Apes through its huge glass windows. Hop aboard The “LPZoo Children’s Train Ride,” for kids ages 3 to 12, and take a ride through a section of the zoo. For your convenience, strollers may be rented at the Gateway Pavilion, located just inside the east gate.
Local Food
Take a trip with the kids to the Green City Market, the only farmer's market open year-round in Chicago. The market showcases sustainable practices by local farmers utilizing organic methods that preserve the environment for future generations. The market is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located on the south end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive. The market offers organic baked goods, dairy items, flowers and plants, local organic produce and meat, poultry and fish.
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