Considering a visit to Chicago? There’s so much to experience in this eclectic city – especially with teens. Here are just a few teen approved recommendations from our recent visits to the Windy City!
Go Museum Hopping
The Art Institute of Chicago
I wasn’t 100% sure how this would go over with my teens, but my family was fascinated by every exhibit and we stayed until closing! Grab a map when you enter the Art Institute of Chicago. The back of your map is a guide of what to see in just an hour if you want to hit the highlights. Or, spend a few hours like we did, exploring every nook and cranny of this amazing building.
Museum of Ice Cream
Get your camera ready because the Museum of Ice Cream has all the Instagrammable shots. New to Chicago, the whole family will enjoy sampling fun flavors as you walk through an interactive history of ice cream.
The Museum Campus
The Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum are all nestled near the water on a piece of jutting land that extends out into Lake Michigan known as the Museum Campus. Experience one of the best views of the city from what seems like miles out on the water!
Shedd Aquarium
This summer, we spent a few hours exploring the Shedd Aquarium. Divided by regions of the world, you can experience marine life from everywhere! The sturgeon and sting ray touch pools were a hit for the whole family. Don’t miss the arctic section of the aquarium! Reserve your tickets ahead for easy entry.
Adler Planetarium
Space buffs get ready! A stop at the Adler Planetarium is fun for all ages. We especially loved the Chicago night sky and Mission Moon exhibits. The on-site cafe is a great spot to enjoy lunch with a view of the city.
Go to the Zoo
We highly recommend the Lincoln Park Zoo, this Smithsonian free attraction. Don’t miss the gorillas or the lions! New baby lion cubs were born in early 2023 and were recently displayed to the public.
See a Show
If you’re theater buffs, Chicago is home to numerous theaters. Check out Chicago-Theater.com to get the scoop on current shows and tickets. If you are looking for last minute ticket deals Hot Tix usually has deeply discounted tickets.
Do the Boat Tour
The architecture boat tour takes you on a spin on the Chicago River which runs through the center of the city. The views are spectacular and there is a plethora of unique and quirky architectural history to absorb from your guide.
Take a Spin
There’s a lot to do at Navy Pier! Ride the 200-foot ferris wheel, stop off at the Chicago Children’s Museum, take in a show at The Shakespeare Theatre, shop, eat or take a spin on one of the speed boat tours.
This year we discovered the Lake Stage near the Navy Pier with free shows including a Joffrey Ballet performance. Find out what’s scheduled.
Be a Beach Bum
Oak Street Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunshine and dip your toes into Lake Michigan’s crystal blue waters or play a game of volleyball.
Divvy bikes are located all around Chicago and the perfect way to get to the beach area with Divvy parking nearby.
Get Active
There are lots of green spaces around the city. One of our favorites is Maggie Daley Park. We took a spin on the skating ribbon and had a chance to climb the rock wall. Younger kids will enjoy the play garden.
Eat Up
Restaurants abound in the West Loop’s restaurant district. Burgers at Au Cheval or a meal at Girl and the Goat will not disappoint. Grab a coffee, food or even a cocktail at the world’s largest Starbucks on Michigan Ave. For desert, we recommend cupcakes at Molly’s Cupcakes!
Read a Book
We love visiting book stores when in Chicago and one of our favorites is Exile to Bookville located in the Fine Arts Buildin. Built in 1887, take a ride up one of the oldest elevators in the US! There’s still an operator who takes you to your floor and you can actually see all of the gears moving as you ride.
Amanda Keefer is a mom and travel junkie having worked in the travel industry for 10 years and jumping at the chance to explore destinations near and far. She can be found at the Healthy Family Project developing recipes and hosting the Healthy Family Project podcast. The perfect marriage of food and travel!
