* Downtown Chicago: Attractions, Sports & Entertainment

by Kari on October 2nd, 2023 at 12:00 PM

If you need to escape for a few days but don’t want to travel hundreds of miles, consider spending a weekend in The Windy City – Chicago! With Chicago being the third largest city in the United States, there are countless opportunities for fun activities, shopping and delicious food! Plus, it is only an Amtrak ride away. Below are some suggestions for attractions, entertainment and sports options in the downtown area.

ATTRACTION DISCOUNTS

Visit the fun Chicago Kids website for a list of FREE admission dates for the major Chicago museums. Please note, a lot of these free days are weekdays.
Purchase a “CityPass,” which will give you admission to the most popular of the downtown Chicago attractions. If you’re planning to go to all of the attractions, it can be very cost-effective.
If you don’t purchase the City Pass, consider purchasing your attraction tickets on the attraction’s website, as a number of them offer online purchase discounts. Also, the age range for kid’s tickets at most of the attractions below is 12 and up – be sure to confirm before you go.
Note that Parking fees are high at many of these locations, consider Ubers or taxis to and from your sites to avoid hefty parking fees at each location.

ATTRACTIONS

Museum of Science and Industry – Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, this massive museum will take you through interactive exhibits, tours and demonstrations. From a submarine tour, to a fairy castle, to exhibits where visitors can learn more about their bodies – there is something at this museum for everyone!
Shedd Aquarium – This aquarium is located at 1200 South Lake Shore Drive. From rivers to oceans, this aquarium features animals from the very large variety (think whales and dolphins) to teeny tiny (jellyfish). sheddaquarium.org
Adler Planetarium – This planetarium is located at 1300 South Lake Shore Drive. The planetarium features many interactive exhibits, observatories with telescopes and much more.
The Art Institute of Chicago – Located on Michigan Avenue, next to the famous Millennium Park. Families can explore, discover and enjoy art together at the Art Institute through art-making activities, exhibitions, self-guides, games and more. Family classes available.
Willis Tower – Formerly called Sears Tower, located at 233 South Wacker Drive. Voted one of seven “wonders” by the Chicago Tribune, the Skydeck at Willis Tower allows you to have a birds eye view of the Windy City. The tower is the largest building in the western hemisphere, at 1,353 feet in the air! There are interactive displays as well as children’s activities. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out The Ledge, which is a glass box that extends 4.3 feet from the sky deck and gives you a look straight down. willistower.com
Millennium Park – Located in the heart of downtown, Millennium Park is home to art (The Bean), music and many other events. The Bean is one of Chicago’s most popular and photographed attractions! It has 24.5 acres located within Grant Park. There are many sculptures, a fountain that kids can play in, beautiful landscaping and much more.
Museum of Contemporary Art – Located at 220 East Chicago, this museum is in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Visitors to the museum can take in all of the traveling and permanent exhibits, from current artists to artists from years past. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for students, teachers and seniors. Illinois residents receive free admission on Tuesdays, and visitors with disabilities and their caregivers always receive free admission.
Lincoln Park Zoo – Located in the shadows of Chicago’s huge skyscrapers, this zoo is an oasis for animal lovers. Visitors can enjoy the children’s zoo, learning about farms, African exhibits, animal shows and much more. FREE admission but parking lot charges.
Navy Pier – Located right on the shore of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier has something that will appeal to all ages. The pier features an amusement park, shopping, boat rides, restaurants as well as a great children’s museum. Admission to the pier is free, but you will pay for parking nearby.
360 Observation Deck – Located downtown in the John Hancock Building, 140 stories above the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue). Check out the open-air Skywalk which takes you to the edge – but don’t worry, you won’t fall! The tower also has telescopes and a wall with historical artifacts. Also check out TILT, which is a glass ledge that will tilt you over the edge of the building (additional fee applies).
Field Museum of Natural History – Located on Lake Shore Drive, near Adler Planetarium. This large museum has countless exhibits with artifacts from times past, rocks, fossils, plants.
The Magnificent Mile – as the name implies, Magnificent Mile is the shopping destination in Chicago. Located on Michigan Avenue, visitors can find shops galore – not to mention all of the dining options! Come for a visit in November and December to see all of the holiday decorations and festivities. For families with kids, Michigan Avenue is home to a Disney Store, American Girl and a Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop!
Let’s go to the beach! Did you know Chicago has 26 miles of waterfront? That’s a lot of real estate for beaches. There are lots of beaches to explore. On a warm, sunny day, the water is blue and looks like the ocean! Click HERE for a list of the most popular ones.

THEATER

Check out this Chicago Theater website for information on shows and Chicago area theaters.
ComedySportz Chicago – the longest running short-form improv show in Chicago. It’s not stand-up comedy about sports…it’s improv comedy played as a sport! Kid-Friendly fun.