Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and the largest in the Midwest. It is located on Lake Michigan, and many know the Windy City for sports teams like the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs, or the ever-popular Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. But the city is more than just sports and pizza. Downtown Chicago is actually a great place for families and kids looking for a quick getaway or a week-long vacation.
Amusement
You might not expect to see a huge Ferris wheel in the middle of a major metropolitan area, but that's exactly what you'll find at Navy Pier. Located right on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier was built in 1916 and has been used by freighters and the U.S. Navy, and as a college campus. Since the mid-1990s, the facility has been a convention center and tourist attraction. Navy Pier boasts multiple kid-friendly attractions, including a 150-foot Ferris wheel, an 18-hole miniature golf course, climbing wall, Fun House maze, an IMax theater and a regular movie theater.
Museums
For almost 100 years, a mainstay tourist attraction in Chicago for all ages has been the Museum of Science and Industry. Located downtown, the Museum of Science and Industry boasts multiple exhibits that will appeal to children, including a World War II German submarine, a 3,000-square-foot model railroad, a baby chicken hatchery and the Apollo 8 Spacecraft. For dinosaur lovers, the Field Museum of Natural History cannot be missed. The Field Museum's claim to fame is Sue, the world's best preserved, largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex. Other exhibits focus on birds, Eskimos, sea mammals and early American culture. The Chicago Children's Museum is another great destination for families. The three-story facility is located on Navy Pier and offers kids several different types of hands-on, educational play.
Zoos
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of downtown Chicago's premier attractions. Since 1868, the Zoo has been giving children an up-close and personal experience with animals from around the globe. The Lincoln Park Zoo includes multiple bird exhibits, a lion house, giraffes, zebras and antelope, to name a few. The Zoo also offers hands-on animal experiences in the children's zoo section.
Aquarium
For kids interested in learning more about life under the sea, look no further than Chicago. The Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago is the world's largest indoor aquarium and houses more than 8,000 aquatic animals. A Caribbean reef, divers hand-feeding sharks, habitat presentations and animal encounters are just a few of the experiences available at the Shedd Aquarium.
Parks and Beaches
Chicago is located right on Lake Michigan, which makes for great swimming in the summer. Within the city of Chicago, there are 15 public beaches, including one near Navy Pier and another one close to the Museum of Science and Industry. Another outdoor option in Chicago is Millennium Park. The 24.5-acre outdoor space in the center of the city includes The Crown Fountain, an interactive splash pad, the McCormick Tribune ice rink for ice skating in the winter, and Cloud Gate, a 66-foot-long stainless-steel sculpture nicknamed "The Jelly Bean."
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