TheAllThingsMomSydney 2018 World Tour:

The Three Best Family Activities in Chicago

As you know AllThingsMomSydney is on a world tour! We did Cape Town first and then Birmingham and now we’re in Chicago!! The glorious (not so) Messy Moms from Chicago are introducing us to their City.

While they’ve said that its the THREE Best Family Activities in Chicago this post is actually packed with at lease SEVEN great things to see and do.

More than that, they’ve even told us what to do at the different places and how to get there. What more could you ask for!

If you’re visiting Chicago with the kids this is a must read!

Thank you so much Meg and Holly for showing us the best of Chicago. Home of the Chicago Bulls, Wrigley Field and the start of Route 66. It really is on my list of great American cities to visit!!

And now there are even more things on my list to see when we visit. Thank you ladies!

The Windy City and the Messy Mommies are calling you! We have the three best family activities in Chicago!

I’m Messy Mommy blogger Meg and I have a strong affection for Australia! My dear friends, Ambassador Tom and Susanne Schieffer were stationed in Australia and I had the opportunity to visit. Tom served as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2001 to 2005. My visit was incredible! I had the opportunity to visit Canberra and Sydney. From the welcoming people to the great food and incredible sites, I loved it all! I am sure you will love Chicago as much as I loved Australia!

The Three Best Family Activities in Chicago

We love to be outside with our kids in the city and have picked places where you could see different parts of the city. As moms, we also know that kids need plenty of snacks and places to rest so we’ve considered that too! We love this city and hope you do too!

The Top Three (or Seven)

1. Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park

Getting There

We love Millennium Park. Located on Michigan Avenue and E. Monroe Street.

You can drive (there is underground parking or go by subway (it’s just a few blocks from the L which is the Chicago subway system).

Start at the corner of Michigan Avenue and E. Monroe Street and stroll through the Crown Fountain. The kids always have a great time splashing around this fountain as they wait for the iconic Chicago faces on the huge screens to shoot out water.

The Bean Statue

Next, stroll up the stairs to the iconic Bean statue to take some fun pictures with the skyline reflecting on the Bean. Tom and Susanne came to visit us last year and we took them to Millennium Park. They loved the Bean! Be sure to walk under the Bean for a fun view.

After that head over to the Under the Tent at Chase Promenade North (201 E. Randolph Street). They often have free kids craft and music activities and you can check the schedule of activities as you plan your trip.

Maggie Daley Park

After the kids do some activities walk over the ribbon bridge to the free Maggie Daley Park. We hit the snack carts for some water and ice cream as we walk to the play areas.

The park is packed with great play – huge wood castles, slides, pirate ships, park trails and water elements. The bigger kids will want to check out the climbing wall and everyone will have fun with the mini golf. There are picnic groves and shady benches.

Food – A Snack break

After the kids have played for a while you may want to take a break with some snacks and refreshments. Go back over the ribbon bridge and walk through Millennium Park. You can stop for a snack at the Park Grill which is a shaded outdoor area in Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue. View the majestic skyscrapers while sharing a snack with the kids.

Another option the Athletic Club Hotel. You’ve got to leave Millennium Park and walk across Michigan Avenue. Turn left on Michigan Avenue and go to the Chicago Athletic Club Hotel. If you would like to cool off go up to the second floor to the Drawing Room, a beautiful, dark wood, historic space that looks over the park. Take a rest on the comfortable couches and have some drinks and snacks. The kids may want to check out the pool tables and other games in the back of the second floor.

For stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city go up to Cindy’s, the rooftop bar.

The Chicago Athletic Club is our go to place when our kids need a little break and we want to recharge for our next adventure.

Heading into the evening

For a relaxing evening with your family, you can pick up a picnic at many of the area hotels and restaurants. Then head back over to Millennium Park and go to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. They sometimes have free outdoor concerts, movies or other cultural events. We love relaxing on blankets while the kids dance to music with the Chicago skyline on one side and Lake Michigan on the other.

2. Lincoln Park Zoo and Green City Market

When planning out your days in Chicago, try to go to the awesome Lincoln Park Zoo on a Wednesday or Saturday.

The Green City Market

Start your adventure first at the Green City Market. It’s located across the street from the Lincoln Park Zoo on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm. The Green City Market is filled with more than 50 booths of gorgeous flowers, delicious fruits and vegetables, and scrumptious food vendors.

The Messy Mommies and our messy kids love the crepes and the brick oven pizzas.

There are also so many wonderful baked goods! You can pick up some treats and then sit in the shade while listening to the children’s music. Your kids will have a great time dancing! Be sure to find the talented balloon person for a special balloon animal or fancy hat for your kids.

Lincoln Park Zoo

When you leave the Green City Market, turn left and cross the street to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

This gorgeous zoo is free and is filled with special animals and fun things to do.

If you have little ones with you, start at the Lincoln Park Farm-In-The-Zoo which is near the farmer’s market. The kids will be able to pet goats, check out the cows, pigs, and horses, and climb on a big tractor in the barn. Stella, Sophia and Eleanora also love walking through the garden and checking on the chicks!

The main part of the zoo is over the bridge. When you leave the farm, turn right and walk over a bridge to the main part. Be sure to stop on the bridge to talk pictures with the Chicago skyline in the background. This is one of our favorite picture spots!

As you go into the zoo veer to the right and your kids will immediately see the camels and zebras. This path will lead you towards one of our favorite spots – the Regenstein Center for African Apes. Sophia, Stella and Eleanora love watching the families of chimpanzees and gorillas play outdoors as well as climb around their intricate indoor homes.

We love the Lincoln Park Zoo and know you will too.

Next stroll through the Helen Branch Primate House. The girls are always enchanted with the smaller primates after seeing the huge size of the gorillas.

As you come out of the Primate House your kids may clamor to go on the carousel ride like our kids do. It is a sweet carousel and the kids love climbing on the different animals. You can then swing by the Kovler Lion House to check out all the cats!

The Lincoln Park Zoo recently completed some significant animal area renovations. It is definitely worth the walk to go further into the zoo. The kids love to watch the majestic polar bear swim in the Walter Family Arctic Tundra. You also can’t help but smile watching the penguins in the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove.

Throughout the zoo there are plenty of places for snacks, drinks, and food and there are plenty of shaded benches and places to rest.

3. The Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and Gallagher Way

Wrigley Field and the Cubs

Chicago is filled with iconic places to visit and this next place is sure to be a hit with your kids! Check out the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and Gallagher Way! Wrigley Field was built in 1914 and is playing host to the Chicago Cubs for the 102^nd year.

If the Chicago Cubs are in town go to a baseball game at this inspiring, legendary field! From the ivy in the outfield to the hot dogs to the passionate fans – this is an experience your family will love!

Holly, her husband Matt and Eleanora live near Wrigley Field and are frequent visitors to Wrigley Field and the Gallaher Way.

The ballpark tours are interesting and it is fun to have pictures at this iconic Chicago place.

The Gallagher Way

Gallagher Way is the park right outside of Wrigley Field and has many free kid’s events. From kids concerts to arts and crafts to yoga, Gallagher Ways is providing fun activities for kids of all ages.

Southport

Another great family area to check out near Wrigley Field is Southport. Holly wrote a blog post of fun things to do with the family on Southport for Memorial Day weekend. Check out Holly’s suggestions on what do with the kids, some fun shopping, and great places to dine.

More great places to see in Chicago

I know we said we would share three of our favorites but we love this city so much that we have to mention a few more!

Navy Pier

Our kids also love visiting the massive Navy Pier! From playing in the fountain, to watching the boats go by, to riding the Centennial Wheel and other rides, to delicious food. We enjoy lingering in this special, iconic space. The Centennial Wheel holds a special place in our hearts as the first Ferris wheel was created in Chicago in 1893.

The Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium is a family favourite too and I am sure your kids will love it! The Aquarium glistens as it sits on a point of lakefront. The kids love checking out the stingrays, dolphins and baby whales. There are so many stunning fish and animals. Be sure to go out on the patios for some different views of the Windy City!

Last ideas…

Thanks for letting us share some of our favorite family fun places in Chicago with you! We hope you come visit soon! And, be sure to try the Chicago style deep dish pizza – Lou Malnati’s is our favorite, Chicago hot dogs, and Garrett popcorn too!

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More about Meg and Holly

Meg who wrote this post is mom to six-year-old twins, Sophia and Stella. Her sister-in-law, Holly is the mom to 10-year-old Eleanora. They’re so great!! If you’ve loved reading about Chicago or have benefitted from the wealth of knowledge these two moms have then you need to check them out. I’m following their twitter account and love checking out their blog MessyMommiesIntheCity.

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