Start your family vacation at the Navy Pier, a 3,300-foot-long pier filled with attractions for all ages. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel, marvel at the stained-glass windows of the Crystal Gardens, or visit the Chicago Children's Museum for some hands-on fun. End your day with a fireworks show over Lake Michigan.
Explore the Shedd Aquarium and discover marine creatures from around the world. Don't miss the live shows at the Amphibians exhibit or the underwater tunnel in the Wild Reef exhibit. Afterward, cross over to Millennium Park. Take a selfie with the iconic 'Bean', walk through Lurie Garden, and enjoy free concerts or movies in the park's open-air pavilion.
The Chicago Cultural Center is a free public building where you can appreciate the elegant architecture of the city. This center hosts various arts and cultural events year-round, so check their schedule and experience the art installations or attend a concert. Afterward, take a short ride to the Lincoln Park Zoo. This zoo houses hundreds of animals and is one of the few remaining free admission zoos in the country.
Discover the wonders of science and technology with interactive exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry. You will love the Omnimax Theater, the exhibit on space travel, and the coal mine tour. End your Chicago trip with a visit to Hyde Park. This tree-filled neighborhood is home to various academic institutions, including the University of Chicago. Stroll along the campus or shop and dine at the bustling 53rd Street.
If you have more time, consider visiting the Art Institute of Chicago or the Adler Planetarium. For a break from the city, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden or take a day trip to nearby attractions such as Six Flags Great America or Indiana Dunes National Park. If you have less time, you can skip or shorten some of the attractions, such as the Navy Pier fireworks or the coal mine tour at the Museum of Science and Industry. Make sure to check attraction hours and buy tickets in advance to save time.