Tourist Attractions in Chicago

With the many tourist attractions in Chicago, a Chicago family vacation is hard to beat. While Chicago may be the "Second City", it is #1 when it comes to family vacations. Chicago is a big city, but it's incredibly family-friendly with lots of places to go and things to do for kids of all ages.

Getting a glimpse of Chicago itself can be great fun. A trip to the Windy City is not complete without a walk along the beautiful lakeshore of Lake Michigan and a trip to the John Hancock Observatory or the Sears Tower Skydeck. Going to the top of one of these huge skyscrapers gives you a 360 degree view of the whole city.

Just off the lakeshore is one of the nation's oldest zoos, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo has more than 1000 animals in its exhibits. The exhibit habitats are comfortable and natural for the animals and provide visitors with excellent views. In addition to its animal exhibits, the zoo also has an endangered species carousel and a children's train ride.

Buckingham Fountain

On the educational side, Chicago has a number of world-class museums, most of which have interactive exhibits to help keep kids entertained while they learn. The Museum of Science and Industry is full of such interactive exhibits. During the school year, elementary, junior high, and high schools from Chicago and the surrounding areas frequently make field trips to this museum.

You can get a glimpse of what Chicago looked like at the beginning of the 20th century by taking a tour of Yesterday's Main Street. You can learn about the technology of coal mining by taking a ride to the bottom of a mine shaft (don't forget your canary!).

In the Farm Tech exhibit, you can challenge your kids to a milking contest using new robotic milking technology. Nearby is the Field Museum of Natural History, where you and your family can meet Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found. You can walk through a replica of an 800-year-old pueblo and explore Tenochtitlan to learn about Ancient Americans.

The Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Art are also world-class museums with plenty of "edutainment" possibilities. The Art Institute has a drop-in art studio so everyone can try their hand at drawing. At the information desk, you can get guides and gallery games for families to encourage interaction with the exhibits.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is smaller and less interactive than the Art Institute, but children of all ages often find the modern nature of the works, which are often brightly colored and exaggerated in form or medium, interesting and amusing. This is just a small list of the many things you can enjoy during a Chicago family vacation. Once you make a visit to Chicago, you'll find yourself wanting to go back again and again. This City on the Lake is definitely tops when it comes to family vacations.

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