Your Guide to Visiting Chicago, Illinois with Kids
Chicago Illinois with Kids
Experience the Windy City’s endless excitement with your kids! There are multiple family-friendly attractions from Millennium Park to a Chicago Cubs baseball game. The city’s iconic skyline can be seen throughout the area as you drive or fly in or enjoy a leisurely stroll along Navy Pier. We finally took our family to Chicago in 2023 as we knew seeing a Chicago Cubs game was on our bucket list for many years as my husband and I both grew up cheering for the Cubs and we wanted this experience for our kids also. With so many things to do, Chicago is the perfect destination for a memorable family vacation.
Chicago Cubs Baseball at Wrigley Field
Stepping into this iconic stadium built in 1914, Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, brought back some amazing memories. Seeing where legends were made and memories that are etched in the heart of fans, gave it a surreal experience. Revel in the ivy-covered walls to the timeless marquee that is still manually operated and brings a nostalgic feel that captivates visitors.
This stadium is full of rich history and incredible ballpark fare, and the dedication of their fans that keeps visitors coming back year after year to celebrate America’s favorite pastime. So, grab a hotdog, popcorn, pick up a souvenir and get ready for some baseball!
Address: 1060 W Addison Street, Chicago
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Portillo’s Hotdogs
When in Chicago, make sure to stop into Portillo’s Hotdogs for their famous sausage hotdogs. There are multiple dogs to choose from, but their most famous dog is the Portillo’s Beef Hotdogs. And do not even think about putting ketchup on this dog, it is offensive ;-) Eat it as is and you won’t be disappointed. They sell more hotdogs than McDonald’s sells hamburgers!
Inside the restaurant it provides a glimpse of times past with their old-time cars and gas pumps, to their other eclectic decor. Find a spot upstairs by the window, where you can eat your hotdog while admiring Chicago’s city view.
Address: 100 W Ontario St, Chicago
Two other locations in Chicago include: 100 W Lake St, Addison and 520 W Taylor St, Chicago
Hours: 10:00am to 1:00am daily
Chicago River
The Chicago River winds through the heart of the city, weaving past iconic landmarks and bustling neighborhoods. the river offers breathtaking views of the towering skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. Stop by during their St. Patrick’s Day celebration as they dye the river green, adding a touch of whimsy. Multiple water activities are available on the river to include kayaking, boat tours or strolling along the Riverwalk. The Chicago River is the perfect backdrop for this vibrant Windy City.
Shopping Magnificent Mile
Don’t forget to stroll along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a well-known stretch of North Michigan Avenue, filled with upscale boutiques and luxury retailers. This iconic mile stands between skyscraper buildings, offering the shopper a memorable shopping experience. You will find high end stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Macy’s and more!
Arlo Chicago Hotel
Arlo Chicago Hotel, formerly Hotel Julian, is a beautiful hotel located in the heart of Chicago and within walking distance to Millennium Park. With modern features and top amenities, you will feel the luxury of this hotel from the moment you step inside. You will be able to walk to the Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain, two iconic staples within downtown Chicago. Voted as one of the top favorite hotels in Chicago in 2023, you get to experience the energy of this Windy City hotel up close.
Spend some time at the gym before you explore the city or enjoy a drink and a good meal at their gastropub, About Last Knife. Arlo Chicago Hotel is also pet friendly, allowing up to two cats or dogs at a time with a $20 fee per pet plus tax.
About Last Knife gastropub located inside the Arlo hotel. Fixing American tapas and cocktails and beer. Hours: Breakfast 7:00am to 11:00am daily, Lunch 11:00am to 4:00pm daily, Dinner 4:00pm to 10:00pm daily. Brunch 7:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday and Sundays.
Address: 168 North Michigan Ave, Chicago
Stay at any ARLO HOTEL across the US and use my promo code for discounts: ADOPTINGLIFES
Parking: There is no parking on site, but you can use the enclosed parking garages at 20 East Randolph Street at $40 a night with no in and out privileges. Due to us having our high-top campervan, we had to park in an open lot at 430 North Rush St, Chicago. This was about a 10 minutes’ walk to the hotel.
Safety: The hotel does lock its front doors at night, but you have access using your room key. There is a doorbell if you come in later in the day and do not have your room key. Call ahead if you plan to show up later at night as I am not sure how long someone will open the door.
Our hotel room was clean and spacious. The bathroom was clean, and I always love it when they provide the soap/shampoo/conditioner in those bottles in the shower. Beds were comfortable and we were able to sleep well with little noise, despite being in a big city. Such a fun and unique signature piece as they leave cute fortune cookies on the nightstand for its guests.
Cost for 1 room with 2 queen beds in July was $286.25 for the room with a total of $359.54 after taxes and a $20 Urban fee. The Urban fee provides you 2 free waters upon check-in, 10% off their restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a $10 credit on DIVVY bike rentals. I wouldn’t normally pay this high of a price for a hotel but the convivence of being in close proximity to the sites was important. (2023 prices)
Take a guided tour to explore multiple landmarks in Chicago. Prices start at $69.34 per person.
Cloud Gate (The Bean)
The Bean, also known as Cloud Gate, is an iconic sculpture located in Millennium Park, in Chicago. The sculpture was designed by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor in 2004 and is a modern piece made of stainless steel that reflects the city’s skyline. This dramatic piece draws visitors from all over as they try and capture a photo of this giant bean with its mirrored surface, admiring it from all angels. This is a must-see destination that captures the spirit of Chicago.
This photo was taken around 8:00am. To get a better picture without people, it is recommended you go by 6:00am.
Address: 201 E Randolph Street, Chicago
Hours: 8am to 9pm
Free to visit
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain is located in Grant Park in Chicago. This centerpiece captivates visitors with its beauty and is inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles in France. Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world and borders Lake Michigan. The views of the Chicago skyline provide a stunning view of the city as a backdrop to the fountain. At dusk, there is a beautiful display of lights, music and a water show every hour for 20 minutes.
Address: 301 S Colombus Drive, Chicago
Hours: Fountain operates May to mid-October from 8am to 11pm daily.
Visit the Skydeck in Chicago for an exhilarating experience as you take in panoramic views of Chicago from the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.
Largest Starbucks in the World - Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Can you believe the largest Starbucks in the world is located in Chicago? This four floor Starbucks Reserve Roastery located along the Magnificent Mile is bursting full of coffee, beer, souvenirs, and food. This store opened in 2019 and is a prominent coffee destination with its intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted beans. This Starbucks doesn’t have your typical refreshers, but it does have multiple drinks to choose from such as specialty coffee, spritzers, beer and more. You can purchase food items from their extensive menu that you cannot find at your typical Starbucks from pizzas, sandwiches, salads and pastries. You will find four floors and 35,000 square feet of industrial design, creating a fun atmosphere where visitors can explore the craft of coffee making at its finest.
Head to the top floor for a balcony view of the surrounding area as you sip your premium coffee at this unforgettable destination for any coffee addict.
Address: 646 North Michigan Ave, Chicago
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 8:00pm, Friday to Sunday from 8:00am to 9:30pm.
Chicago CTA Subway
Taking the CTA subway from Michigan Avenue to Chinatown was quite the experience but easy to figure out with a little planning. Starting at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, you will go to Grand Station (an 8-minute walk) where you will get on the Red Line going toward the 95th/Dan Ryan location and stop at the Cermak-Chinatown stop which is about a 10-minute ride and will be the 6th stop. Then walk west on W Cermak Rd toward Chinatown, about a 2-minute walk where you will start sampling the delicious food on S Wentworth Ave where you will see the Chinatown Gate, as shown below.
There are several ways to pay for your subway ticket to and from Chinatown.
You can download the Ventura Chicago Transit app. I highly recommend you download this app before you plan to take the subway. We tried to download it once inside the Grand Station and could not figure it out, therefore couldn’t use it.
Use the Ventra Vending Box on location at each station to pay for your ticket
Use a Ventra Cards which can be purchased at the Ventra Vending Box
If you have trouble figuring it out, there are clerks at the window to help you. The guy we met who was working for the subway was unable to help us with the
Ventura app when we could not figure it out, so it was rather difficult, and he just let us on without paying. Again, plan this out ahead of time so you can easily access the CTA.
Cost: $2.50 per person per ride without a CTA/Pace pass.
Grand Station timetable
Below is the Grand Station Red Line timetable. The left pic with the large word GRAND, is the top page and the second picture goes right below it. Hopefully this helps.
Chinatown Chicago
Take a journey through the bustling streets of Chinatown in Chicago. Immerse yourself in a cultural experience full of delicious cuisines and colorful storefronts. This iconic neighborhood is filled with tantalizing aromas from authentic eateries on every corner of Chinatown that invite you in to discover their rich heritage and charm. Follow with me as we sample delicious dim sum, boba tea, and some hidden gems that make this a must see while in the Chicago area.
When you see the Chinatown Gate, seen below, you will know you are in the right place.
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
Our first stop in Chinatown was at the Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum restaurant. All ingredients are made fresh daily, and they have over 100 different bakery products available at a time. We enjoyed this meal with the variety of bakery options, and I would recommend stopping here for a sweet and savory treat. We ordered BBQ Pork Buns, sticky rice, and steamed buns.
Address: 2253 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago
Hours: 7am to 10pm daily
Chinatown Square
After we ate at Chiu Quon, we turned around and walked back to the main road as we made our way to Chinatown Square.
Korean Red Ginseng Store
This store brand has been around for 120 years and is in over 40 countries. It is clear to see they have created a go-to store with many different health and well-being products and only sell top quality products. We stopped at the Store to look at their many unique food options. Staff in this store were friendly and willing to help you understand some of the items you find on the shelves including their dried fish. Find many different herbal supplements, ginseng, and other medicinal provisions.
Address: 247 West Cermak Road, Chicago
AJ Houseware and Gifts
If you get overstimulated easily, this store might not be for you. The space is tight and every square inch is full of stuff. Lots of souvenirs can be purchased here from keychains, dishes, backpacks, trinkets, Hello Kitty items, swords, and so much more. Prices are decent, giving you the option to purchase multiple items.
Address: 2125 South China Place, Chicago
Hours: 10:00am to 7:00pm daily.
Hing Kee Restaurant
Hing Kee is a family-owned restaurant in Chinatown bringing some of the best dumplings and soups around. This busy restaurant was about a 30-minute wait. There is indoor and outdoor seating at this location. This is a full sit-down restaurant with some really great oriental food.
Address: 2140 S Archer Ave, Chicago
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00am to 9:30pm, Friday to Sunday 11:00am to 10:00pm
Chicken and sweet corn soup (so good!), large $8.99, pork dumplings ($9.99 to $11.99).
Kung Fu Tea
Explore Kung Fu Tea that creates incredible bubble tea combinations. Their mission is to not only make good tea, but delicious tea that keeps people coming back for more. Founded in Queen’s New York in 2010, being one of the largest tea brands across the US. Tea varieties include:
classic tea
milk tea’s
punch
espresso
slush
yogurt
seasonal
Toppings include: jelly, pudding, tapioca, popping bubbles, red beans
Hours: Monday to Thursday 12pm to 12am, Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am, Sunday 11am to 12am
Address: 2126B South Archer Ave, Chicago
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is another iconic stop within Chicago and is full of entertainment, culture, and recreational activities and spans out along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. You will find amusement rides, dining opportunities, and shopping. This area is family friendly and boasts many thrilling rides from the Centennial Wheel to the Carousal painted with 36 animals and Children’s Museum, providing multiple interactive exhibits for kids and adults of all ages.
Enjoy seasonal events from live music performances to fireworks, visitors will be excited as they spend the day relaxing by the water as they watch the boats sail by or embarking on an unforgettable journey of thrills at Navy Pier.
Address: 600 East Grand Ave, Chicago
Pier Park hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Cost: Centennial Wheel $18 for adults, $15 for children ages 3-11, Light Tower and Carousal $9
Parking: onsite parking in the East and West parking garages. East garage has a clearance of 7’9” and the West garage has a clearance of 6’3”. Parking fee: $18 for less than an hour, $32 for 1-2 hours, $37 for 2-5 hours, $45 for 5-12 hours, $55 for 12-18 hours, $60 for 18-24 hours. (2024 prices)
Other area attractions
While this is a great list of things to do in Chicago, there are far more things to do that it would be impossible to do all of them in just one day. Use my link at booking.com or VRBO.com to find accommodations to stay at so you can continue to check off your favorite excursions while visiting Chicago.
American Girl Place
Shop Magnificent Mile
Crown Fountain
Garrett Popcorn Shops
We had some of the best popcorn from Garrett Popcorn in the shops at Navy Pier in Chicago.
You can experience the vibrant culture, breathtaking skyline, and endless family-friendly activities that Chicago has to offer, creating unforgettable memories for both kids and adults alike. Take your time as you shop along Michigan Avenue, take in the view of the city as sip your favorite Starbucks coffee from the fourth floor, ride to the top of the Ferris wheel, and enjoy some popcorn at Garrett Popcorn where you will find some of the best popcorn around!! 🍿
IF YOU ARE CAMPING WHILE VISITING CHICAGO, CHECK OUT THIS CAMPGROUND
Enjoy the journey,
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Meet the author: Jennifer
I’m just a girl who loves to travel. My favorite travels have been traveling across the US in a campervan, visiting all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, marking National Parks off my list, & many smaller trips. I love to share my adventures to inspire others to travel more. If you can dream it, you can do it! Want the whole story?
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