As you plan your family vacation this year, you may want to think about visiting Chicago, Illinois. During the warm summer months, the outdoor activities in the area are some of the most popular places to be for tourists and locals alike.
Navy Pier
At Navy Pier, families can enjoy time together while having all-ages fun. The boardwalk is 1.5 miles long, with tasty places to dine and small local shops that sell souvenirs, toys, apparel, and more. You can also take a ride on the 15-story Ferris wheel or catch a masterpiece at The Shakespeare Theatre. Younger visitors will love the Children’s Museum, home to hands-on exhibits.
Check Out Festivals
The most popular festival is the Taste of Chicago, but there are dozens more held throughout the summer. The Jazz Festival started in 1974 as a tribute to the great Duke Ellington. Legendary jazz musicians come out for the festival every year, so you never know who you might see. Nearly a million people come out to the Blues Festival, held in June. This is a fun activity for those who love music. Taste of Chicago is great for adults and children alike, featuring delicious local and international foods that are available for purchase.
Local Museums
If you happen to be in Chicago on a chilly or rainy day, you can still have a fun time at one of the local museums. The Museum of Science and Industry is home to unique exhibits, such as Body Worlds and Leonardo da Vinci. You can also catch a film on the dome-shaped IMAX theater. The Museum Campus features a museum, aquarium, and planetarium, so it is the perfect educational spot to visit with children.
Bird’s Eye View
If you visit 360 Chicago, formerly the John Hancock Observatory, you can take an elevator up 94 stories and see Chicago the way a bird might see it. When you are over 1000 feet in the air, you can see the buildings and skyline of the famous city. The Soundscope is a talking telescope that allows kids to hear unique sound effects as they look around at various parts of Chicago. The open-air viewing deck will also help visitors to understand just why Chicago is called “The Windy City.”
America’s Favorite Pastime
During the summer, you can also catch a Chicago Cubs or Chicago White Sox baseball game at their home stadiums. Here, you can relax with local sports fans while sampling hot dogs or some of the more unique food options available at these ballparks. If you prefer football to baseball, plan your visit for the end of the summer when you can catch a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field.
Whether you are traveling with young children or teenagers, Chicago is a great vacation spot for families. You can find cheap hotels in Chicago that will accommodate the needs of your family. As you plan for the trip, you can check out all of the available activities to make sure everyone has a memorable and exciting experience in the Windy City.
