chicago-banner

10+ things to do in Chicago with teens

Keep the teens happy on your next family trip with this list of fun Chicago attractions!
By Katie Sagal

If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago with teens, check out our list of the top attractions and activities, including...

  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Skydeck Chicago
  • 360 CHICAGO
  • Navy Pier Centennial Wheel
  • The Field Museum
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Ride a Bike around Millennium Park
  • and more...

Head to the Shedd Aquarium

beautiful-shot-shedd-aquarium-chicago

Trust us, the Shedd Aquarium is the mother of all aquariums. This is one of the most popular things to do in Chicago for a reason. Your teens will be able to enjoy seeing animals that hail from waterways and ecosystems all across the globe, from the nearby Great Lakes to the vast rivers of Asia.

One of our favorite nifty things about Shedd is the Caribbean Reef exhibit, where visitors can actually take a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community – it’s a really amazing up-close sight and is almost as good as snorkeling in Hawaii.

Bonus for everyone: you can skip the line with our pass, which is a huge benefit during busy tourist seasons. It will keep you and your teens from driving each other crazy during a long wait!

Get a Bird’s Eye View of the City

aerial-view-chicago-skyline-illinois-usa

Your whole family will love the stunning, panoramic views of one of the country’s most beautiful cities. So visit Skydeck Chicago today! Even the most skeptical teenagers will be amazed at 'The Ledge', an all-glass balcony that puts visitors four feet out from the edge of the building into space!

Looking for another perspective, and maybe a little more interactivity with your amazing views? Try 360 CHICAGO for another vantage point that’s equally as cool. 360 CHICAGO is also conveniently located near a good deal of trendy shopping, so your teens will particularly love that attraction.

Stroll Navy Pier & Ride the Centennial Wheel

time-photo-navy-pier-centennial-wheel

There's nothing like a good old-fashioned boardwalk stroll. And you don't need to hit up the Jersey Shore to find one! You and the teens will love spending some time at Navy Pier. There is a slew of activities to choose from, including the Centennial Wheel and a bunch of fun rides.

There's also plenty of places to eat and pick up fun souvenirs to remember your trip to Chicago. Want some more ideas? Check out our post on things to do at Navy Pier and nearby spots.

Snap Photos on the Architecture River Cruise

sightseeing-cruise-chicago

Chicago is an amazing city for architecture. With a diversity of influences and an eclectic building history, the skyline of Chicago is quite remarkable. One of our favorite ways to survey this beautiful scenery is on an Architecture River Cruise that highlights the city's architectural history.

Teens will relish the chance to get that awesome Instagram photo, and it's fun for everyone to be able to identify famous buildings.

Explore the Famous Museums

Teens into natural history and science will find much to love in Chicago's museum scene. The Field Museum is one of the world's most prestigious natural history museums, featuring tons of fascinating stuff from gemstones to fossils (like the largest intact T-Rex skeleton - above).

For astronomy buffs, the Adler Planetarium is another great option and an amazingly fun thing to do. Or, for fans of general-interest scientific subjects, the Museum of Science and Industry is filled with interactive exhibits like a 40-foot indoor tornado.

Get Inspired by Art

 

Artsy teens (and their parents!) won't want to miss out on the chance to visit Chicago's top-rated museum. The Art Institute of Chicago is an international favorite and draws in so many people to its amazing collections of art and artifacts that span the entire globe and all across history.

Be especially sure to check out the Modern Wing. Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano and filled with only the most exciting modern and contemporary art, it's the happening place to be.

Insider Tip: Download their innovative mobile guide to help navigate the museum.

Chill with Animals at the Brookfield Zoo

zoo-animals-brookfield

For fans of animals, Chicago is a delightful destination. The Brookfield Zoo features a diversity of animal exhibits, a massive nature park, and a fun animal-themed carousel. Teens will especially appreciate majestic creatures like big cats. Or, if you prefer to stay closer to the city, Lincoln Park offers a fun, small-scale zoo with an equally entertaining selection of animals. If you're really feeling like letting loose and acting like a little kid again, there are also some fun rides.

Ride a Bike around Millennium Park

chicago-millenium-park-skyline

Encourage the kids to enjoy the great outdoors during the warmer months with a refreshing bike ride around the city. Pedal leisurely along the waterfront, throughout Millennium Park, or along the 26 miles of gorgeous trails that wind around the lakefront. It’s also a great activity that teens can pursue independently, giving them some “alone time” amidst a family vacation.

Shop ‘Til They Drop

Chicago is also a shopper’s paradise. Whether they’re on a tight budget or have some cash to spend, teens will love the chance to explore Chicago’s amazing shopping districts. Heck, even window-shopping alone can be a real treat! From the Magnificent Mile and its unique mix of high-end couture and fast fashion to the more traditional offerings of the Water Tower Place Mall, there’s a store to suit every taste.

Save on Admission to Attractions Teens Will Love

Many of these teen-friendly Chicago attractions are included on our pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.

Continue reading

drone-photograph-chicago-river-outer-drive
Blog

Famous Chicago Landmarks & the Most Instagrammable Places to Take Pictures in Chicago

All vacations are essentially about the experience – the sights, sounds, and tastes of the attractions you visit and the streets you walk. The way you felt at the top of the Ferris wheel, or the awe you experienced looking down from the top of a 96-story building. Beautiful memories, but all memories fade. You want the pictures you take to be the kind of shots you might frame, the ones you’ll treasure years later. To help you out on your quest to find the perfect photography subjects, we put together a list of the top places to take pictures in Chicago. Best Ways to See Famous Chicago Landmarks There’s plenty of great places to snap the perfect instagram photo of famous Chicago landmarks during your trip. Here are a few fun ways to help you get around while sightseeing... Hop On Hop Off Chicago Bus Tour Architecture River Cruise Bike Rental from Bike and Roll Chicago Here's some more info on fun Chicago sightseeing tours. Many of the photo opps we listed below are located near some of the top attractions in the Chicago – so you can combine the best sights with the best things to do. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Best Places to Take Pictures in Chicago 3. The Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza An icon of twentieth century art innovation, Picasso is known for his use of abstract shapes and re-interpretation of form. This untitled sculpture (usually just called the Chicago Picasso) was actually commissioned specifically by the architects of the Daley Center and has never been displayed anywhere else. For this reason alone, you need to snap a shot of this one-of-a-kind statue. Plus, how many museums let you take photos of Picasso’s work? Daley Plaza is on the Loop, near a number of popular Chicago attractions, so it’s a good central place to start your day. 9. Wrigley Field As the second-oldest baseball stadium in the country, Wrigley Field is a historical institution and a must see Chicago landmark. It has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916, and much of the exterior architecture reflects its heritage. Of course, a lot of the interior has been updated very recently to accommodate modern MLB standards, but plenty of historical elements remain -- including the old fashioned scoreboard on the side, proclaiming your presence in Wrigley Field. Even if you’re not a Cubs fan, it’s an iconic building in American professional sports. Let's Recap While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does contain a bunch of our favorite places to take pictures in Chicago. From the most popular attractions to skyline views and scenic parks, there’s something to suit every taste when it comes to Chicago photo opportunities. Remember, a number of these famous Chicago landmarks and attractions are available with the Go Chicago Card, where you can save on combined admission prices vs. paying at the gate.
Katie Sagal
Museum of Science and Industry
Blog

Museum of Science and Industry Vs The Field Museum Comparison

Chicago’s embarrassment of cultural riches includes such venerable institutions as the Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, Adler Planetarium, and home and studio of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum are two of the biggest, brightest and best such attractions in town. Between them this pair of cultural giants chart the entire history of this planet we call Earth, from weather systems and animal evolution to ancient Egyptian burial rites and the space race. But which should you visit when on vacation in the Windy City? We take a closer look at the Museum of Science and Industry vs the Field Museum, covering must-see highlights, best times to visit and how long you’ll need for each. Griffin Museum of Science+Industry: The Lowdown Vital Statistics: The Griffin Museum of Science+Industry (or MSI) is perched on a reflecting lagoon in Chicago’s Jackson Park, and housed inside the former Palace of Fine Arts, built for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and opened as a science museum in 1933. Inside, a collection of some 2,000 pieces celebrate the very best of human endeavor, ingenuity and achievement across 75 cavernous halls. The museum has plenty of pulling power, welcoming more than a million visitors every year, thanks to its hands-on exhibits, major touring exhibitions and epic five-story wraparound theater. The MSI in Brief: Anyone with even a passing interest in the technological progress of the human species through the ages will find much to enjoy at the MSI. Here’s where you can ogle the world’s first stainless steel diesel-powered train, get down and dirty in a full-size replica coal mine, step aboard a captured WWII German U-boat and poke around in a 13-foot interactive 3D heart. And that’s just for starters: there are also simulated storms, lunar capsules, a toy-making lab and a huge domed cinema showing immersive films that highlight the very best of the human race. And more! When to visit: Regular opening hours are 9.30AM–4PM daily, with extended hours during summer and school holidays. The museum is closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. There’s at least a day’s worth of entertainment here, but four hours is enough to tick off the big-ticket exhibits. Avoid school holidays and summer if you don’t like crowds, as these are – perhaps unsurprisingly – the most popular times for families to visit. Visit the official MSI website for up-to-date information on opening hours and exhibitions. Field Museum: The Lowdown Vital Statistics: The Field Museum can be found on Chicago’s Museum Campus, a few miles north along the shore of Lake Michigan, neighboring the excellent Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. This epic natural history museum was largely conceived around exhibits acquired from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and first opened its rather impressive doors back in 1894. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, amassing a collection of around 40 million objects, specimens and artifacts, charting 4.5 billion years and drawing in over a million history-hungry visitors each year. The Field Museum in Brief: This one is a naturalist’s nirvana: nearly 500,000 square feet of preserved dinosaur skeletons, meteorite fragments, Ancient Egyptian mummies, animal dioramas, Incan and Aztec artifacts, intricate totem poles, and more magnificent historical artifacts than you can shake a giant T-Rex femur at. Fun fact: the phrase “the customer is always right” is attributed to Marshall Field, the 19th-century department store magnate who gave the museum its name and was its original benefactor. When to visit: The Field Museum is open daily from 9AM–5PM, with final admission at 4PM. It’s closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. You could very easily spend a whole day or more exploring the collections here, but four hours should give you a decent overview of the highlights. Arrive for opening time to secure the most elbow room – the museum tends to be busiest from late morning until mid-afternoon. Get the latest exhibition information and further details on opening hours at the official Field Museum website. Field Museum or MSI: Which Should I Visit? These are two of the biggest, best and most family-friendly museums in Chicago, so we’d really recommend visiting both if you have time. Go Chicago attraction passes mean you don’t have to pick favorites either, as both the Field Museum and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are included, alongside other Chicago must-sees like the Skydeck, Navy Pier Ferris wheel, Children’s Museum, and Shedd Aquarium. Find out more and choose your perfect Chicago attraction pass here. Museum of Science and Industry Highlights Must-see highlights of the permanent collection at the MSI include: The Pioneer Zephyr: the world’s first streamlined, stainless steel, diesel-powered train; a gleaming vision of the future of rail travel from way back in 1934. The Henry Crown Space Center: here’s where you’ll find all things intergalactic, including the Apollo 8 spacecraft, a lunar module, and Chicago’s largest immersive domed movie theater. Wartime wonders: fans of militaria can ogle the captured German submarine; there are also several US Navy warship models and fighter jet simulators. Science Storms: physics and chemistry collide in this fascinating multi-level exhibit, which features a Tesla coil, a tsunami tank, and Foucault’s pendulum. You’ll also get the chance to control a 40-foot-tall tornado. Coal Mine: ride the train through this full-scale mine replica, containing original 1930s equipment. Field Museum Highlights Don’t miss these wow permanent exhibits at the Field Museum: Animal Halls. The Field Museum is home to some of the most realistic animal dioramas on the planet. Case in point: Carl Akeley’s ‘Four Seasons’, depicting wild white-tailed deer across the seasons, is a veritable work of art. Also don’t miss: the fearsome man-eating lions of Tsavo and the polar bear protecting her cubs. Inside Ancient Egypt. Decipher 5,000-year-old hieroglyphs, worship at the shrine of the cat goddess Bastet and come face to face with ancient mummified people and animals inside an authentic Egyptian burial chamber. Roarsome Dinosaurs. Grab the selfie of a lifetime with Sue, one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons on the planet, and meet her plant-eating pal Máximo, an absolute monster at 122 feet long and 28 feet tall! A dino-mic duo indeed. Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Chicago Save money on Chicago attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Rainbow crosswalk in Boystown, Chicago
Blog

Things to do in Chicago for Pride Day

The Chicago Pride Parade is one of the most highly attended festivals of its kind on the planet, pulling in something like a million revelers every year. No surprise really, given Chicago is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the States, its Northalsted neighborhood (aka Boystown) a vibrant community hub that was the first in the country to be officially recognized as a gay village. The city’s colorful month-long June Pride party is, as you might expect, a fairly flamboyant affair, taking in karaoke nights, drag brunches, art shows, skate parties, marching bands, club nights and much more. Raise your rainbow flag and read on for our guide to some of the best things to do in Chicago during Pride month. Spend the Day in Boystown There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with Chicago’s LGBTQ+ history and culture than with a visit to the Legacy Walk in Boystown. Take a stroll along the North Halsted Street Corridor between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, where this unique open-air museum takes the form of 35-or-so steel ‘rainbow pylons’. Each standing 25 feet tall, the pylons act as monuments to those legends who helped shape the LGBTQ+ movement in Chicago and beyond, with bronze plaques commemorating individuals including James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Harvey Milk, Oscar Wilde, Jose Sarria and Freddie Mercury, plus pivotal events like the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Afterwards, make time to check out some of the neighborhood’s other beloved LGBTQ+ hotspots, including the Center on Halsted, a community hub that’s home to the Hoover-Leppen Theater and Billie Jean King Recreation Hall among other facilities. Head up to the roof for tip-top neighborhood views that become yet more colorful during Pride month, thanks to the increased proliferation of rainbow flags and bunting that decorate the streets below. Hungry? You’re in luck. Boystown also happens to be home to some of the best brunch spots in town. Hit up local institution Drew’s on Halsted for eggs every which way accompanied by breakfast martinis and live DJs. Or mosey on over to the smart, literary Wilde Bar & Restaurant, named after guess who? Of course, the LGBTQ+ nightlife in this lively enclave is just about as good as it gets, running the gamut from karaoke parties to dive bars, drag nights and hedonistic all-night dance parties. Try Sidetrack, The Closet, Roscoe's, Hydrate and the Kit Kat Lounge for some of the very best. LGBTQ+ Art & Culture There’s plenty more going across Chicago through the month of June. Check press listings for comedy, cabaret and drag performances hosted by the likes of Boystown stalwarts the Newport Theater, Dorothy and the Whiskey Girl Tavern.  Many of the city’s largest cultural institutions also run LGBTQ-themed programs and exhibitions during Pride month. For example, the Field Museum, one of the biggest and best natural history museums in the world, hosts an annual drag pageant as well as events around the role of sex and gender in the natural world.  Meanwhile, the American Writers Museum runs readings, workshops and tours spotlighting the work of LGBTQ+ authors whose writings are exhibited here, including the likes of James Baldwin, Maurice Sendak and Susan Sontag. There are events for kids at Chicago Public Library branches including Logan Square and South Shore, with drag and rainbow story times to keep the little ‘uns entertained, and an annual party down at Navy Pier, which is usually held the day before the Pride march. It’s an all-day event that features live music, marching bands, DJs and more, and is conveniently close to all those seaside fairground rides for a spot of old-school fun and relaxation between bouts of dancing! General admission to a number of these attractions (plus many more tours and activities around Chicago) are included with a Go Chicago pass. You could save up to 50% on entry to the likes of Navy Pier, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, 360 Chicago and more. Note that additional tickets may be required for entry to some Pride-themed events. Find out more about the Go Chicago pass and get yours here. The Pride Parade and Festival As the climax of Chicago’s Pride month approaches, all attention turns towards Chicago Pride Fest and the annual parade. The Parade takes place on the last Sunday of June with Pride Fest traditionally falling on the Friday and Saturday of the same weekend (or sometimes the weekend before). Pride Fest gets the party started in earnest with two days of live performances across three stages, everything from international pop stars to the very best of Chicago’s DJ and drag scenes. Add to that 150+ food and beverage vendors and you have all the ingredients you require for a top shindig. The festival takes place on Halsted Street, from Addison to Grace St, and is free to enter, though there’s a suggested $15 donation to help pay performers and festival workers, as well as supporting local community programs. Big-name stars to grace the stages here include M People’s Heather Small, Natasha Bedingfeld, Chaka Khan, and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. Find out more about this year’s Pride Fest, including the entertainment line-up, here. The main event takes place on the last Sunday of the month, and draws the biggest crowds of the month. The Chicago Pride Parade sets off from around Sheridan and Broadway at 11AM, painting a rainbow across Northalsted as it weaves its way along and around Halsted to Lincoln Park – a distance of over six kilometers. Nab your spot to watch as dozens of flamboyant floats, revelers in outlandish costumes and live performers cruise past, complete with marching bands, stilt walkers, drag kings and queens, and more. The area surrounding Belmont and Addison stations tends to get the most busy, so arrive early if you want a decent view, or bodyswerve it altogether if claustrophobic crowds ain’t your thang. Rest assured there are plenty less densely packed locations: you’ll find for example that you have a little more breathing space towards the start of the route, and on its east side. Find about more about this year’s Chicago Pride Parade here. Save on Chicago’s Most Popular Attractions Don’t miss the opportunity to check out some of Chicago’s top tours, activities and attractions while you’re in town. You could save up to 50% with a Go Chicago pass. Find out more and choose yours here.
Stuart Bak

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

    Thick check Icon