5 days in Chicago: museums, views, and family fun

Travel through space and time, and learn everything there is to know about the solar system at the Adler Planetarium.Explore the best bits of our 91 billion light-year galaxy through the interactive exhibits. Join the search for a new ninth planet, take a speedy tour of your cosmic backyard, and peek inside the Gemini 12 spacecraft. Kids will love to climb and fly through Planet Explorers - a modern-day space adventure for the whole family.

Explore one of the largest science museums in the world. Housed in the only remaining building from the famous 1893 World's Columbian Exposition's 'White City,' it offers a variety of hands-on, dynamic activities and exhibits for guests of all ages.Venture down a life-like coal mine, control a 40-foot indoor tornado, and marvel at a massive dollhouse.

You’ll enjoy panoramic skyline views and picture-perfect backdrops on this 40-minute Skyline Lake Tour. Keep an ear out for the guided narration if you want insights into the views and local knowledge of the area.Your tour will take you out onto Lake Michigan, heading both north and south on the lake, spotting many of Chicago’s famous landmarks and the classic skyline vista as you go. See the Willis Tower, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, and more. Through the guided commentary, you'll learn fantastic facts about the buildings you pass, what lies beneath Lake Michigan, and the historical significance of Navy Pier.Don't forget your camera as you'll enjoy some of the best views of the city from this unique vantage point.

Enjoy the Navy Pier with your Centennial Wheel tickets and take in the commanding views of the city and Lake Michigan at 200 feet. You’ll get a 360-degree view, and as each gondola is enclosed, you can ride all year round, no matter the weather. Plus, you can pick from three other rides, including the Carousel, the Drop Tower, the Light Tower, the Pier Park Mini-Golf, the Tea Cups, and the Wave Singer. (These additional rides typically only operate between May and October, weather dependent.)The Navy Pier in Chicago is considered the number one tourist and leisure destination in the Midwest, and it's the longest public pier in the world. Attracting 8.6 million visitors each year, Navy Pier is a 50-acre, lakeside wonderland that lets visitors enjoy the splendors of Lake Michigan.Once you’ve taken a spin on the Navy Pier wheel, you can explore the other rides along the pier, check out the museums, or hit the shops and restaurants. Grab a famous Chicago hot dog or pick up a souvenir as a memento.

With 4.6 billion years in one place, the Field Museum takes you around the world and back in time. Here, you can come face-to-face with SUE, the world’s largest- and most famous- T. rex, explore ancient Egyptian, discover over 10,000 years of Chinese history, and much more!Renowned for its state-of-the-art exhibits, leading scientific research, and impressive collection of artifacts and specimens, the Field Museum inspires curiosity and tells the story of life on Earth.The fun and interactive Field Museum exhibits will appeal to all the family. Get to grips with genetics at the DNA Discovery Center, and explore the culture and artifacts of civilizations all over the world.

Go on a wild underwater adventure at Shedd Aquarium. This attraction is ideal for all the family and perfect for fans of sharks, stingrays, and everything in between.You’ll see incredible creatures from freshwater, marine, terrestrial, and even aerial environments at the Shedd’s award-winning exhibits. Get nose-to-nose with sharks in the wild reef, dolphins and beluga whales in the oceanarium, and much more.The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago also does its bit for conservation and research, focusing primarily on animals and habitats in the Great Lakes and the Caribbean. Learn more about the important work they do at their range of talks and animal presentations. There’s also the chance to get your hands wet at the Stingray Touch exhibition which runs between May and September.

Calling all witches, wizards, and even Muggles! Butterbeer Experience at Harry Potter Shop Chicago is your chance to indulge in the legendary drink straight from the Wizarding World. Whether you’ve dreamed of sipping a frothy Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks or simply want to taste what all the hype is about, this experience is a must for any Potter fan.Step into a setting that feels like it’s been transported straight from Hogsmeade. You’ll be surrounded by enchanting décor, magical ambiance, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter. Choose from traditional cold Butterbeer or frozen Butterbeer. Each sip delivers a perfect blend of butterscotch and shortbread flavors, making it a treat for wizards and Muggles alike.Make sure to explore the themed surroundings, take magical photos, and browse exclusive merchandise while you’re there. Whether you’re visiting for nostalgia or to introduce a new generation to the magic, this is one experience that will leave you spellbound.

Not for the faint-hearted, Skydeck Chicago gives daredevils a bird’s eye view of the Windy City. This observation deck is located in the world-famous Willis Tower, formerly known as the Skydeck Chicago Sears Tower. You’ll ride 1,353 feet up to the 103rd floor of the tower and get some of the best views of the city. Get your Chicago Skydeck tickets at a discounted rate with Go City!See four states from the observation tower, as well as popular Chicago landmarks including Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Magnificent Mile. You’ll also find interactive exhibits and historical photographs to learn about the Chicago Skydeck building’s prestigious history.In addition to being one of the most famous architectural marvels of the western world, and one of the Seven Wonders of Chicago, Skydeck Chicago offers something a little different in The Ledge. If you’re brave, step out on the glass-floored observation deck and see the city right beneath your feet.If you head up after 6PM and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the city all lit up.

You can be your own guide, picking and choosing which top sights are right for you and getting on and off as you please. See Chicago's famed skyscrapers, the Magnificent Mile, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Millennium Park, and many more with the Hop On Hop Off Chicago!Along your journey on the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Chicago, you'll learn all about the city's famous architecture, landmarks, and history through the entertaining audio narration.Head up to the top deck for a bird's-eye view of the city and to capture some social media-worthy snaps. Just remember to wrap up warm, they don't call it the Windy City for nothing.Big Bus Chicago stops:Chicago Riverwalk: 98 E. Wacker Drive (across the bridge from Trump Tower)Skydeck Chicago & Willis Tower: 319 W. Jackson Blvd (opposite Willis Tower/Skydeck entrance)Millennium Park & The Art Institute of Chicago: 200 S. Michigan Ave (in front of Potbelly's)Hilton Chicago & Grant ParkAdler Planetarium 500 E. Solidarity Drive (bus loading zone near entrance)Museum Campus (by the Shedd and Field Museum)Sheraton Grand Chicago: 441 N. Columbus Drive (across the street from NBC Towers)Navy Pier: 600 E. Grand Ave (Big Bus tent @ north end of park)Water Tower & The Magnificent Mile: 163 E. Pearson St (near the corner of Michigan Ave)360 Chicago: 150 E. Chestnut St (near the corner with Chestnut St)614 N. Clark Street (in front of the Rock'n'Roll McDonald's)

Witness the impossible at the Museum of Illusions. With over 80 immersive rooms and mind-bending exhibits, MOI is all about unbelievable fun! Perfect for children and adults alike, time will fly by as you explore the Museum of Illusion's various rooms and displays. Whether it's contorting natural shapes, or playing with light, these optical illusions will make the impossible, possible!