Category: Museums

No matter what time of year it is, there is simply no better place to stop to smell the roses, or any other flower for that matter! And in February, there is no better place to kick start Valentine’s Day than to visit the conservatory for chocolate tasting! Of course, because this place is encapsulated within beautiful glass walls, any time of year is a great time to go, and its proximity to city dwellers makes it a great place to go!

If you go in winter, this can become a true oasis for you! There are prehistoric ferns, water falls to step over, and a large display of rare tropical plants and flowers. Self guided tours are more than welcome, which allows you to get in touch with your inner green thumb. While it’s certainly not nearly as vast as the Botanic Garden up north, just the fact you can escape the weather outdoors for a couple hours, perhaps before heading into downtown for a nice dinner, is a treat within itself. Also, since it’s only a quick bike ride from Millennium Park, you two can really take in some of the best the city has to offer without having to take the car out at all!

This place is surprisingly huge, and in the summer, the grounds it is held on is quite stunning in its own right, complete with its own lagoon. What’s nice about this place, unlike most other gardens, is there is free and ample parking available by the main entrance. Be sure to take advantage of it before entering by strolling through the park. And hey – why not pack up a picnic lunch to round off your trip? There’s nothing quite like tossing the Frisbee around while munching on some tasty nibbles!

Since many families also attend this beautiful indoor garden and includes many programs for them, the best time for couples to go is on Thursday evenings. Also, the Green Line train has a stop just for the Conservatory, for those who’d rather leave the car behind. Granted, the surrounding neighborhood still has its element, but with more and more folks rediscovering this beautiful garden, off experiences have dwindled to a bare minimum.

What a beautiful, beautiful park - a place children will beg to return to again and again! Not only does it have a giant playground and spray pool, but it also has a lagoon where ducks and geese swim in and has a neat little zoo to boot! There is also a charming Tudor style field house on the grounds, picnic tables and even a performing arts building. This is probably the most unique park in all of Chicago! In fact, one has to wonder if that song “Saturday in the Park” was partially inspired by this place!

When the kids first start making a bee line for the playground, their eyes will glaze over like saucers - this wooden construction lot is HUGE, with lots to climb on and explore! It’s decked out like an old fort, perhaps granting a nod to the land’s history. Of course, one thing that’s always important with the kiddos is there are enough slides and swings around so they don’t have to wait to get on one - Indian Boundary does not disappoint. They will surely find lots of other kids to play with, because this playground is so very popular with the locals. In fact, many families come here in the summer with the intention of having a barbecue and making a day of it. It’s little wonder why so many groups opt to hold their social gatherings here.

If (not when!) the kids get tired of the play lot, go as a family and explore the rest of the park. The beautiful lagoon has plenty of vantage points to view the ducks and geese merrily swimming around. At the other end is where the small zoo and field house are located. While it’s a given with most people these days, a gentle reminder is posted to please not feed any animals, enclosed or otherwise. On top of everything else, there is a performing arts building and field house to check out as well, where just about every interest is catered. Be sure to stop in and see what’s on the calendar!

Getting to Indian Boundary is pretty easy, though it’s somewhat off the beaten path. Granted, parking in the area can be a little on the sticky side, especially on weekends, but I have personally never had to spend more than ten minutes of circling the park to scope out a spot. Just be on the lookout for the permit only and street cleaning signs and you’ll do just fine.

Probably one of the most under rated locations in all of Chicago is the Cultural Center downtown. What was once the main library built back in the 19th century has been lovingly transformed into a free public building that is part museum, part visitor center and part landmark building. While tourists may come across this location as a place to pick up coupons and kitschy bric a brac, those who live and work in the area on a regular basis see it as a place to unwind, explore and yes, even just a nice place to relish their lunches!

Up the stairs to the main floor is where you will find the Corner Bakery, the visitors center, the large, open seating area and where the various art exhibits are located. Most locals wander in and discover this treasure while on their lunch breaks seeking a new spot to munch, which I personally think is the best time to go! Inside, they have these wonderful lunch break concerts, each day a new surprise. One day it’s jazz, the next classical, another folk and yes, even some contemporary and pop gets a nod! Of course, you don’t have to buy a Panini from the Bakery to enjoy the show - your brown bag will do just fine!

After that, wander through whatever exhibit they happen to be featuring. Don’t forget to look up - the giant domed ceiling is Tiffany stained glass! One of my favorite pieces is the old fashioned cigarette machine that they use for brochures - what a novel approach! And yes, you’re free to go up and downstairs as well, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the main floor. There is so much to see on the upper levels, with various styles of artwork gracing the walls. You may not personally like every single piece, but your company just might.

Looking to avoid the inclement weather? Ride the elevator from the Bakery to the underground pedway: it connects to the Metro train, Macy’s, the Daley Center, and the Red and Blue Line trains (when not being restructured!), as well as quite a few independent shops. Many office buildings are also connected to the pedway, making it that much more tempting. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!

What an exciting place to take the kids! There is just so much for them to see and do, all with a gentle slant that will leave you all with a passion for wanting to take charge in caring for the environment! And yes, you just might learn a thing or two as well! And, because it’s right by the beach, you can certainly make a day of your visit!

The largest exhibit they offer is outdoors called the Greening Project, which is really pretty and shows just how much they care about the environment. It’s also a recycling center, so feel free to bring your glass, plastic and paper along for the kids to contribute. An exhibit geared towards little ones is two stories tall, called the Hands On Habitat. It gives an inside view of various animal homes, which is always a big hit with the kiddos - climb up into the tree house, play with the water, ride down the slide, whatever! Another exhibit kids gravitate towards is the Mysteries of the Marsh, with creepy crawlies and swampy plants. Then there’s the Riverworks exhibit, another place to play with the water while learning a little something along the way.

Of course, one of the museum’s best assets is the butterfly room. Hundreds of beautiful butterflies merrily flutter around, many times landing on you. Some say it is a kiss from Nature, others a sign of good luck, so telling the kids those little tidbits ahead of time will make them even more eager to head in there! Just please remember not to touch them - let them touch you!

As far as the food goes, while it may be on the pricer side of things, you can be rest assured every item on the menu is all natural and home made and provided from local businesses, many ingredients local as well. Brown bagging is perfectly fine as well, with a group seating area on the first level over by the marsh exhibit. Please remember to use the recycling facilities! Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

What other place in Chicago can be more fun to spend a day with the kids than this place! I promise, it is just as much fun as you remember, possibly for different reasons! From walking through the captured U-Boat, to boarding the Boeing 747, to the coal mine ride and the annual Christmas Around the World display, so many fond memories stir just thinking about this wonderful museum! And yes, it’s a place where the parents have as much fun as the kids.

It is literally impossible to list all of the things to see and do here, and for many people, a single day just isn’t enough. Besides the highlights already mentioned, other popular exhibits include the fairy castle dollhouse (every little girl’s dream!), a HUGE model train exhibit, the Old Chicago area and the adorable chick hatchery. Almost everything there is completely hands on, though some of the older exhibits are in dire need of update and repair.

I’m not going to kid you, this place can really start racking up money wise, because many of the best exhibits cost extra to see, especially the traveling ones and the OmniMax. Be sure to pack a lunch and check their site beforehand for special exhibits and pricing. There is free parking on the east side of the museum by the Lake Shore and Museum Drives if you get there early enough, and while the ice cream parlor in Yesterday’s Main Street may offer promise of excellent treats, they’re really not all that. (Buy the kids a cone on the way home. Trust me.

As always, the most memorable souvenirs are the ones your kids make for you. Bring a roll of quarters and run the die cast machines, collecting as many of those plastic novelties as possible. In our house, we actually transformed them into tree ornaments! And yep, you might just want to cave in at a soda or candy machine, too. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

If your only experience at the Field Museum is with your fourth grade class, then you and your family are sorely missing out! Besides getting up close and personal with Sue, the most complete T Rex skeleton in the world, there are so many wonderful exhibits to explore, with lots of hands on stuff to keep the kids busy for hours on end. Be sure to bring the stroller, the comfy shoes and pack a lunch, because this place is probably bigger than you remember!

Besides the dinosaurs, the ancient Egyptian exhibit, complete with a real wrapped mummy, is very, very cool, with lots of hands on features! The entrance to that exhibit And yes, the precious gem exhibit is a great way to get your bling on while the kids marvel at all the shiny things right there with you! Of course, be sure to check their web site beforehand, to see if the featured exhibit is something you and your family would be interested in.

As far as food goes, there’s pricey vending machine fare, a McDonald’s and a Corner Bakery, but personally, I suggest to brown bag it and eat by the free picnic tables down by the narwhal display, timed when the field trippers are absent. Somehow, it just takes me back to when I was a kid, with my can of fruit punch wrapped up in tin foil, trading off half of my PB & J for a snack pack. That, and it’s a guarantee the kids in tow will get some reasonably priced nutrition in there, while spending some good bonding and down time together. Ah yes, it’s nostalgia at its finest!

Since school children tend to monopolize the museum in the early fall and late spring, and the tourists come in droves in the summer, on holidays and during winter breaks, plan your day around them all. If at all possible, go on a week day or when they offer extended hours, so you all can truly enjoy your visit.

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

While the name has changed from the Chicago Historical Society, the game is still the same, offering an in depth look into how our home town has begun and right up to the present. While it’s certainly not the largest museum in town and kids may want to leave after a couple hours, it’s right by the completely free Lincoln Park Zoo and the beach. Therefore, this museum is located in an ideal location for spending the perfect day with your family, providing perhaps a new appreciation for where we call home.

Exhibits include just about everything you could ever want to know more about, from how the settlers lived, dioramas regarding the Great Fire, to cool Al Capone type stuff and just about everything else. A lot of dedication is focused on Abe Lincoln as well, including the bed he died in. Exhibits like the race riots and footage from the notorious ‘68 Democratic Convention are also present, and while not pretty aspects of our history, are important nonetheless and offer learning opportunities.

Since its grand reopening, many new exhibits and features have been added to delight young and old. Seeing the first El Train is pretty cool, and the Children’s Gallery is a must see. Also, seeing stuff from the World’s Fair and the old Riverview Park is especially cool, as is the Jazz Room, as well as lots of other iconic imagery, including all the sports memorabilia!

What is truly impressive is how so many immigrants and minorities are thoroughly represented, offering a plethora of information for kids and perhaps will even swell their souls with pride. It is so refreshing to see a place that displays how important every contribution made has had a direct impact on our city.

As far as food goes, there is a Wolfgang Puck cafe inside, and while the food is absolutely delicious, I can’t see wrangling younger children in there, and it kind of breaks the budget for families anyway. Pack a lunch instead. Remember, you all can always enjoy it at the nearby zoo or beach!

Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

There is simply nothing like strolling through the hallowed halls of the Art Institute with a date, taking in the cool marble statuary and breath taking paintings while whispering sweet nothings to each other. The themes change from classic to contemporary to playful, from famous artists and periods from all over the world, each exhibit sure to inspire and draw up feelings you may have been repressing deep within your subconscious.

There is no way to pinpoint a favorite stop, as art is something unique to each individual. However, points of interest for many include the armory area and the ancient sculptures. Of course, those who love canvassed mediums will find themselves to be completely overwhelmed by the collections lovingly cared for all over the museum, be it classical, surreal, abstract or even decorative. Budding architects and engineers will admire examples by Frank Lloyd Wright and more. The Thorne Miniature Rooms downstairs may look like little doll houses to some, but are actually scaled period quarters dating back from the 13th to 20th centuries, painstakingly crafted to help observers imagine what it was like to live in such times.

Personally, I find the best time to go is on the Free Thursday evenings, not because of the price, but because of the hours. The field trips, tourists and families have all gone home, allowing those who want to have some quiet time for appreciating art in all its guises to truly do so. Of course, three hours may or many not be enough time to take in all the museum has to offer, depending on your tastes, but if you work nearby, you can always stop by again after you clock out.

On that tangent, if you and your date both happen to work downtown, there is no better place to spend your lunch hour during the summer months than in their tucked away garden! The trees and bushes seem to magically block out the hustle and bustle of the city, where a boring, brown bagged lunch takes on an entirely new form. Besides, where else in the city will you find common pigeons actually roosting in trees? Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!

There is no better place to take the kids to see the stars in Chicago than the Adler Planetarium! Located within walking distance of the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and Soldier Field, the planetarium is the big domed building adjacent to Lake Michigan itself.

I personally find this place to be especially wonderful for families with school aged children, because there are plenty of hands on exhibits to check out. Plus, the special exhibits hosted in the Star Rider theatre have comfy chairs that fully recline, allowing folks to take in the virtual night sky - perfect for allowing everyone to wind down and take in the breath taking show! Finish off the day by checking out America’s Courtyard, which like Stonehenge in England, captures the changing seasons with a modern twist.

Another really cool exhibit is the Rainbow Lobby, best to check out when the sun is in the west. Filtered light through beveled glass creates little rainbows all over the walls. Of course, plenty of new exhibits are being developed all the time down in the Space Visualization Laboratory, so you’ll want to be sure to stop by for a visit!

Unlike most museums, the gift shops and cafe here are actually a little bit more than places to drop some cash and munch. The Galileo Cafe has a wonderful view of the city’s skyline and offers food a little out of the ordinary, and the Infinity Shop sells freeze dried ice cream, which is always a hit with the kids, on top of some really cool themed educational toys and gifts. Pricey, yes, but the proceeds go to support the planetarium, so the cost is justified, and perhaps can give you an idea of what to look out for on your next toy shopping excursion.

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!