From splash pads and skyline views to deep-dish pizza and lakefront beaches, here’s how to plan an awesome Chicago family vacation in the summer.
If you’re planning a family trip to Chicago with kids, you’re in for one of the best city vacations in North America. The must-dos are easier to name than you’d think: Maggie Daley Park, “The Bean” at Millennium Park, Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel, a river architecture cruise (yes, really — more on that below), the free Lincoln Park Zoo, and one great museum. Add deep-dish pizza, a Lake Michigan beach day, and enough ice cream stops to keep everyone happy, and three to four days covers the best of it without exhausting anyone.
But here’s the truth: not every popular attraction is worth your limited vacation time (or money).
After multiple visits with my kids, I’ve learned what deserves a spot on your itinerary, what can be skipped, and where to eat when everyone is hot, hungry, and ready for a break.
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What to Do in Chicago with Kids
Spend the Morning at Maggie Daley Park
If you only have time for one playground in Chicago, make it Maggie Daley Park.
This isn’t your average neighborhood playground; it’s an adventure destination. Why? Well, it’s filled with climbing walls, giant slides, imaginative play areas, winding bridges, and one of the best play gardens in the entire country.
One of my family’s favorite things to do in the winter– the skating ribbon– turns into a rollerblading ribbon in the summer!
It’s perfect for younger kids, but even older kids will find plenty to do.
Walk Through Millennium Park
No first visit to Chicago is complete without seeing Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”). Much to my 16-year-old’s delight, this is the perfect spot to enhance that Snapchat slideshow. What does that mean? I’m not exactly sure, but trust me, it’s just what your teen needs for major aura points. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of rushing out after the photos.
Millennium Park regularly hosts free concerts and family-friendly events. Additionally, there is public art and plenty of open green space where the whole family can stretch their legs.
In the summer, it’s one of the best places to experience downtown Chicago.
Visit Navy Pier, But Have a Plan
Navy Pier is touristy. And busy. And crowded. And yet, it is still absolutely worth visiting with kids.
Ride the Centennial Ferris Wheel for incredible views over the shores of Lake Michigan. Browse the shops. Enjoy street performers. Watch boats cruise along the Chicago River and lakefront. And discover how the Windy City got its name. Don’t be like my husband and loosely wear your favorite Red Sox hat; tighten that baby up, or Lake Michigan will call it hers.
During the summer months, visitors are bound to find live music, festivals, and special events happening at the pier.
Bombs away! © Kathleen Hinkel 2025
Take a Chicago River Architecture Cruise
Take an architecture cruise on the Chicago River. Parents assume kids will be bored.
No, we are not kidding. Chicago’s architecture cruises are surprisingly entertaining, with tour guides pointing out famous buildings while passing boats glide along the Chicago River. Kids will feel anything but bored. Again, it is the perfect way to gain street cred on the Snapchat Slides without having to walk the streets at all. That’s a definite win!
DON’T MISS! Why A Chicago Architecture Tour Is The Best Way To See The City
Chilling on the Chicago River. ©Alejandro Reyes
Choose One Big Chicago Museum
Trying to squeeze three museums into one vacation? Skip that. Unless you like exhausted, hangry children when you yourself are too overstimulated to make any decision other than “Should I wash my face before hitting the hay?”
Instead, pick the museum your family will enjoy most.
Favorites include:
- Field Museum (dinosaurs and Sue the T. rex)
- Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (interactive exhibits)
- Shedd Aquarium (beluga whales and colorful marine life)
- Adler Planetarium (space exhibits and skyline views)
One great museum is way more enjoyable than rushing through several.
DON’T MISS! Why The Field Museum Is The Best Kids’ Museum In Chicago
Visit Lincoln Park Zoo
One of Chicago’s biggest surprises? Lincoln Park Zoo is completely free.
Families can spend a few hours seeing lions, gorillas, penguins, and farm animals before walking through nearby Lincoln Park or heading toward North Avenue Beach.
For budget-conscious families, it’s one of the best things to do in Chicago.
Lincoln Park Zoo @tequilagraphics
Cool Off at a Splash Pad in Chicago
Summer in Chicago can be surprisingly warm.
Fortunately, the city has plenty of splash pads where kids can cool off between sightseeing stops.
Packing swimsuits and towels is well worth the extra space in your day bag.
Ride the Water Taxi
Instead of driving or waiting in traffic, hop aboard the Chicago Water Taxi.
Kids love riding on the river, and parents appreciate skipping busy streets while enjoying a completely different view of downtown Chicago.
A different way to hail a taxi. Photo by Envato.
DON’T MISS! A Local’s Guide To The Best 11 Things To Do In Chicago With Kids
What to Skip
Don’t Overbook Every Hour
Chicago is a big city. Travel takes longer than many families expect, especially during summer weekends.
Leave time for:
- Ice cream breaks
- Park stops
- Unexpected festivals
- Street performers
- Relaxing along Lake Michigan
Those unplanned moments often become some of the favorite memories.
Skip Long Restaurant Waits
Some famous restaurants have hour-plus waits.
With hungry kids? It’s rarely worth it.
Choose restaurants that take reservations or eat a little earlier than the crowds.
Don’t Spend Your Entire Vacation Indoors
Chicago’s museums are fantastic. But summer is when the city truly shines outside.
Balance indoor attractions with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and lakefront walks.
Where to Eat In Chicago With Kids
Deep-Dish Pizza
You can’t visit Chicago without trying authentic deep-dish pizza.
For first-time visitors, Lou Malnati’s is a classic choice with a kid-friendly atmosphere and buttery, flaky crust that’s become a Chicago tradition. If you’re staying downtown, several locations make it easy to fit into your sightseeing day.
Worth the wait. Photo by Envato
Chicago Hot Dogs
Simple, affordable, and kid-approved. If you want an authentic Chicago-style hot dog, head to Portillo’s. Besides famous hot dogs, they also serve chicken tenders, burgers, fries, and chocolate cake shakes, making it an easy win for families with picky eaters.
Ice Cream Stops
After miles of walking, everyone deserves ice cream. For homemade flavors and huge portions, stop by Annette’s Italian Ice, if you’re exploring Lincoln Park. Or visit Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, which has several Chicago locations and inventive flavors parents and kids both love.
Where to Stay In Chicago With Kids
Loews Chicago Hotel
Loews Chicago Hotel goes beyond a place to stay with thoughtful family-friendly amenities designed to keep kids entertained. Families can borrow bedtime books, board games, Xbox or PlayStation systems, enjoy the heated indoor pool with seasonal movie nights, and stop by the lobby on Fridays and Saturdays for complimentary cookies and drinks.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago welcomes young guests with Sammy the Skyscraper, an activity book, and a hotel scavenger hunt that introduces them to Chicago’s landmarks and hidden gems. Families can also visit the Kids’ Room on the 32nd floor, featuring arcade games, crafts, books, and interactive activities for a range of ages.
Practical Tips for Visiting Chicago with Kids
- Buy a Chicago CityPASS if you plan to visit several major attractions.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; you’ll walk more than you think.
- Use public transportation when possible.
- Carry refillable water bottles.
- Pack sunscreen and extra clothes for splash pads.
- Arrive at popular attractions early.
- Check the city’s calendar for free summer concerts and festivals before your trip.
Chicago with Kids: FAQ
Is Chicago worth visiting with kids in summer?
Yes. Summer is the best season to visit Chicago with kids thanks to Lake Michigan beaches, free festivals and concerts, splash pads, and outdoor attractions like Maggie Daley Park and Navy Pier. Pair one or two indoor museums with lakefront time and you get a city trip that works for toddlers through teens.
How many days do you need in Chicago with kids?
Three to four days is ideal for a first family visit. That gives you time for one major museum, Millennium Park and The Bean, Navy Pier, an architecture cruise, and unstructured beach or playground time — without overbooking every hour, which is the fastest way to end up with exhausted, hangry kids.
What can you do for free in Chicago with kids?
Chicago is loaded with free family attractions: Lincoln Park Zoo (free every day of the year), Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain splash area, Maggie Daley Park’s playgrounds, Lake Michigan beaches like North Avenue Beach, the Lakefront Trail, and free summer concerts and festivals downtown.
What is the best museum in Chicago for kids?
Pick one based on your kids’ interests rather than cramming in several: the Field Museum for dinosaur lovers (home of Sue the T. rex), the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry for hands-on exhibits, Shedd Aquarium for beluga whales and marine life, or the Adler Planetarium for space fans and skyline views.
Is the Chicago CityPASS worth it for families?
Usually, yes — if you’ll visit most of the included attractions. The Chicago CityPASS costs $144 for adults and $114 for kids ages 3–11, covers Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago plus your choice of three more attractions, and is valid for nine consecutive days, so a family hitting four or five paid attractions saves real money.
Where should families stay in Chicago?
Stay downtown near Michigan Avenue or the Riverwalk so you can walk to major attractions. Loews Chicago Hotel offers game consoles, a heated indoor pool, and weekend cookies for kids, while the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has a dedicated Kids’ Room with arcade games, crafts, and a landmark scavenger hunt.
How hot is Chicago in the summer?
Chicago summers are warmer than many visitors expect, with July highs typically in the low-to-mid 80s°F and occasional heat waves into the 90s. Pack swimsuits for splash pads and beaches, carry refillable water bottles, and plan outdoor activities for mornings before heat and crowds peak.
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