Things to Do in Chicago with Kids.
Interactive fun, hands-on museums, expansive parks, and family favorites.
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Upcoming Events & Happenings
Daley Plaza Farmers Market & Food Truck Rally
Chicago's longest-running outdoor farmers market held in the heart of The Loop beneath the iconic Picasso sculpture, featuring fresh local produce, baked goods, and lunch food trucks.
The Art Institute of Chicago: Thursday Evening Hours
Extended evening hours to explore one of the world's most renowned collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern masterworks in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Green City Market Lincoln Park
Chicago's premier sustainable open-air farmers market connecting local Midwest farmers and artisan food makers with the community beneath Lincoln Park's tree canopy.
Navy Pier Summer Lakefront Fireworks
Award-winning choreographed fireworks lighting up Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline, free to view along the 3,300-foot pier promenade and surrounding lakefront parks.
Logan Square Farmers Market
Vibrant open-air Sunday community market along Milwaukee Avenue offering regional seasonal produce, local honey, artisan pastries, specialty coffees, and live street buskers.
47th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
A celebrated Labor Day weekend Chicago tradition organized by DCASE and the Jazz Institute of Chicago, featuring world-renowned jazz artists and local Chicago legends across Jay Pritzker Pavilion and park lawns.
Hand-Picked Venues & Spots in Chicago
Millennium Park (Cloud Gate)
★ 4.8Chicago's premier civic center featuring Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, and Jay Pritzker Pavilion
A 24.5-acre lakefront park in the Loop home to Anish Kapoor's iconic 'Bean' (Cloud Gate), Jaume Plensa's interactive Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and Frank Gehry's stainless steel Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
The Art Institute of Chicago
★ 4.8World-class art museum housing masterpieces from Impressionism to contemporary art
Consistently ranked among the top museums globally, featuring nearly 300,000 works including Georges Seurat's 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte', Grant Wood's 'American Gothic', and Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks'.
Chicago Riverwalk
★ 4.8Scenic 1.25-mile pedestrian promenade along the main branch of the Chicago River
A dynamic waterfront pedestrian walkway divided into distinct thematic coves lined with alfresco restaurants, wine bars, kayak launches, and unbeatable views of landmark skyscrapers.
Navy Pier
★ 4.6Historic 3,300-foot lakefront landmark with Centennial Wheel, dining, and scenic cruises
Chicago's famous lakefront pier extending into Lake Michigan, featuring the 200-foot Centennial Wheel, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Miller Lite Beer Garden, Lake Michigan boat cruises, and fireworks.
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
★ 4.6Breathtaking 103rd-floor views with glass-floor 'The Ledge' cantilever boxes
Situated on the 103rd floor of the iconic Willis Tower, offering panoramic views reaching four states and 'The Ledge'—all-glass observation boxes that extend 4.3 feet outside the building over Wacker Drive.
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
★ 4.5Panoramic 94th-floor vistas over Lake Michigan and the Mag Mile with TILT thrill ride
Perched 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile at 875 N Michigan Ave, offering 360-degree vistas across four states, the adrenaline-pumping TILT glass lookout, and CloudBar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun things to do with toddlers and kids in Chicago?
Enjoy interactive discovery museums, nature center trails, splash pads, botanical conservatories, and family-friendly dining with outdoor play areas.