Take A Cooking Class In Chicago
Some teens cook some teens get served, why not take a cooking class on your family vacation. Food plays a huge part in the local culture in the places you visit. Is there one meal that you just love? maybe this is a way to learn how to cook it yourself. Why not kick start your kids cooking skills with a cooking class. Most places these days have a mix of traditional cooking and fusion meals available for you to learn during a cooking experience. Search and book your Chicago cooking experience
Lake County Discovery Museum
The Lake County Discovery Museum is loaded with history, art, and adventure. Exhibits range from hands-on and interactive experiences for younger kids to the Vortex Roller Coaster Theater and worlds largest public collection of postcards. Outside, there are hiking, biking, and horse trails, as well as playgrounds, picnic shelters, and fishing ponds.
Price: $-$$
Advanced ticket purchase required. Face masks and social distancing required. Virtual events available.
Tip: Get a discount on admission when you buy your tickets on the museums website.
See The Real Chicago On A Street Art Tour
Illinois largest city is teeming with urban art get off the beaten track with a unique tour that steps away from the crowded sites and explores the underground and the backstreets instead.
Guides not only take you to some of the citys premier murals but also explain their meanings and histories.
If the idea of all that walking makes you a little thirsty, choose one of the options which stop into a craft brewery or allow you to BYOB.
Instagrammers, this should be a priority when it comes to choosing between all the things to do in Chicago!
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The Most Excellent Escape Rooms
Another trendy activity that is not only loved by teens, but great for families, too, are escape rooms! If youre not familiar, escape rooms require keen problem solving skills combined with incredible teamwork, as small groups work together to solve interactive scenario-based games within a given time limit. Teens who loves a good puzzle will especially like this activity, and there are loads of escape rooms all over the Chicago suburbs.
Enjoy Dinner And A Show At Tommy Guns Garage
So long as you recall the entry password, a night of glamour, history, laughs, and intrigue awaits at Tommy Guns Garage.
As soon as you step through that front door, youll be transported back to the roaring 20s, a time when gangsters, flappers, and jazz ruled the streets.
While the dinner is delicious, the selling point is undoubtedly the entertainment. Song, dance, comedy, and even audience participation ring through the evening.
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Check Out The Public Art Downtown
Looking to get out of the house? Yes, you can go see The Bean, but dont stop there. Swing by the Chicago Picasso, or Calders Flamingo, then head down to the southern end of Grant Park to walk among the giant, headless sculptures that make up Agora. Take a selfie with the Art Institute lions, and be sure to check out the installations along the Chicago Riverwalk between Lake and Franklin. The concentration of world-class public art downtown is astounding and not to be missed. And, even better, Art on theMARTthe worlds largest permanent digital art installationcontinues its screenings on the south façade of the Merchandise Mart through November 25.
Aim For The Bullseye And Try Archery
Chicago Archery in Wood Dale and BowDoc Archery in Mokena both have open shooting available as well as equipment rental if you want to try your hand at shooting a bow and arrow!
Have some favorite activities and destinations that your teens love? Let us know in the comments! And for more fun things to do with your family, check out our outdoor fun page.
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Know Before You Go Our Top Chicago Travel Tips
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of unique activities in Chicago, we want to give you some simple tips for this specific family travel destination. Travelling to Chicago can be such an enriching experience for the whole family. There are so many things to do in Chicago and having the best place to stay in Chicago to explore is extremely important. Here weve got some information to get you planning a family vacation to Chicago to make it completely hassle-free.
Mitchell Museum Of The American Indian
This museum is home to a massive collection of pottery and artifacts from Native American and paleo-Indian cultures across the United States. A fun place for the whole family, kids can explore inside a real wigwam, make-and-take craft activities, and activity tables. Most of the fun takes place early in the day, so get there as early as possible. Ages 4 and up will love it.
Price: $
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Museum Of Science And Industry Chicago
5700 S Lake Shore DrChicago, IL 60637 684-1414
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world.
The museum houses 35,000 artifacts and has exhibits spanning over 14 acres. Needless to say, this museum is vast and you cannot even begin to cover it in a single day.
If you have a few days to give to the museum, that is great. If not, I would suggest prioritizing and deciding which exhibits you would like to cover within the day.
There are several options to choose from, but I think the live tornado may be something the kids will enjoy experiencing.
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Explore The Harold Washington Library
One of the nations largest and most impressive libraries is located in downtown Chicago and open until 9 pm.
Be sure to take in the architecture on the outside and inside of the building, as well as the glass roof of the Winter Garden on the 9th floor.
You can also create some art for free in the Maker Lab on the 3rd floor, and there is usually free art exhibits for the adults and storytimes in the Childrens Library.
Info: Harold Washington Library is located at 400 S. State St. Check out www.chipublib.org/locations/34/ for events and visitor info.
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Theme Parks And Outdoor Adventure Spots In The Windy City
Looking for something a little more active than your average park or nature center? This section has a host of theme parks and outdoor adventures that will tucker out the tiniest members of your family and offer lots of laughs and fun in the process. Chicago architecture center is one of the most out-of-the-world attractions that can bring together people from all apart.
Satisfy Your Palate On A Food Tour
Chicago might be renowned for its deep-dish pizza, but the Windy City actually boasts a number of local delicacies.
Try them all as you loop around the city on foot, devouring Chicago-style hot dogs, dipped Italian beef sandwiches, a classic deep-dish slice, and treats of your choice for tea merchants, confectioners, and bakeries.
These locally-led tours take you off the beaten track and away from the tourist traps and chain restaurants youll be guided exclusively through the doors of beloved and authentic local eateries.
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Take A Chicago Night Tour
Ghost tours, a stroll on the Riverwalk, and architecture cruises on the Chicago River are just some of the great nighttime tours that you could take.
Free Tours By Foot offers this pay what you like walking tour seasonally, so check out the calendar and see what other tours we have!
We offer a Chicago Haunted History & Ghost Tour and in nicer weather, you’ll find our evening Riverwalk tour.
Be sure to check out our guide to choosing which Chicago boat tours are best, including a fireworks cruise. We also list and compare the best night bus tours.
If we don’t offer an evening guided tour, our self-guided and audio tours can be taken at any time.
Things To Do In Chicago Il
Chicago, the biggest city in the Midwest and third largest in the United States, is home to nearly 3 million people. A thriving multicultural city, Chicago is known primarily for its architecture, sports, music, and food. Some of the best things to do in Chicago are located right downtown. And part of the beauty of Chicago is its centralized location Chicagoans are a short to moderate drive away from all sorts of fun activities. Let us help you find lots of cool things to do in Chicago for singles, couples, or families!
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Best Restaurants In Chicago For Teenagers
If you are looking for quintessential Chicago eateries, your teens will love Portillos Italian beef sandwiches and Lou Malnatis Chicago style deep-dish pizza. Both have affordable prices and are easy to find with several locations in the city.
Of course, if you make it to Wrigley, youll need to have a Chicago dog-the hot dog is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.
Speaking of Wrigley Field, Harry Carays Italian steakhouse is chock full of Chicago memorabilia and HOLY COW their steaks are marvellous.
The Purple Pig is a James Beard award-winning chef restaurant located on the Magnificent Mile. If you have teens who are into the foodie scene this would be a great option. A Mediterranean menu with a focus on pork, but a healthy selection of dishes.
If you have teens that love Mexican food, you will want to try Frontera Grill, the authentic Rick Bayliss restaurant utilizing midwestern farmers to source ingredients. You will recognize the flavours, but you will still be wowed by this food.
Au Cheval-the BEST burger in Chicago! And what teenager doesnt love a great burger? This spot is outside the Loop, but you can still get there with public transit. They do not take reservations and the lines can be extremely long, but if you want a burger to remember, give it a shot.
Amazing Things To Do In Chicago With Teens
Chicago is an amazing city to visit with a family, but it is a great place for teens. Teenagers will enjoy the variety of things to see and do from Broadway shows to high speed boat tours on Lake Michigan to shopping on the Magnificent Mile. No matter their interests, theres sure to be something they all like. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Chicago with teens.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!
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Other Ideas For Teens And Tweens
Older kids can easily get lost in a good book! Peruse your local bookstore or look for some new reads at a nearby library. Or for indoor nature wit its own peaceful ambiance, venture through a nearby conservatory together.
And, last but not least, how about setting aside some crucial bonding time for the two of you? Look to the kid and parent dates list for fantastic ideas to cherish the moments you have together while you can!
Reference our Unique Experiences for Teens list for for more inspiration. And once your child is of driving age, check out our helpful Guide to Driving Schools!
Check Out A Festival Special Event Or Parade
One fun winter festival in Chicago is the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown. We head downtown to have lunch and see the celebration. Its a great way to experience another cultures traditions and get out of the house.
Another fun option is to join the Polar Plunge, an icy dip into Lake Michigan to raise money for Special Olympics.
Another event not to miss is Chicagos Chicago St. Patricks Day Parade. One of the largest St. Patricks Day parades in the country, kids will love the bands and music and the opportunity to see the Chicago River turn green. And dont miss the Chicago St. Patricks Day Parade at McCormick Place.
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North Park Village Nature Center
A fun Chicago-area park for nature lovers of all ages, the March Maple Syrup Festival is a local hit. The park is home to deer, birds, and other wildlife, and also has its own apiaries for bees. If youre looking for a great way to help kids get in touch with nature, you just found it. If you are in Chicago with kids, you are sure to have a treat at these retreat centers as they are designed to have a truly exotic experience and reconnect with nature.
Price: Free
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary
Run by Schaumberg Park District, the Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary is over 125 acres of outdoor fun. Winterfest keeps the park popular even in the coldest months, although its a beautiful spot year-round. Nature demonstrations, classes, and educational programs for all ages are offer all year, too.
Price: Free
The museum and visitor center are currently closed. Grounds and trails are open to the public. Face coverings and and social distancing is required while you stroll.
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Go On The Ultimate Chicago Outdoor Mural Crawl
One thing the pandemic cant stop is the citys thriving street art scene, which can best be enjoyed IRL via an urban mural crawl. Start your excursion in Pilsen, where dozens of vibrant works turn the neighborhoods streets and alleys into an outdoor feast for the senses. Trackdown standouts like the Hector Duarte Studio at 1900 W. Cullerton before making your way to Logan Square to marvel at the famous Robin Williams mural outside Concord Music Hall and the nearby Greetings From Chicago mural at 2226 N. Milwaukee. Finish the crawl with a trip up to Rogers Park, where you can see a mile-long stretch of wall art along the Red Line path as well as the brightly colored seawall of murals off the lake at Tobey Prinz Beach Park.
Get Free Access To Popular Attractions
OK. Admittedly purchasing a tourist discount passisn’t free, in fact, these passes can seem expensive.
However, the all-inclusive tourist passes include most of the city’s popular tourist attractions and tours, including hop-on-hop-off bus tours and boat cruises.
In fact, they usually offer over 80 options to choose from.
The object of these all-inclusive passes is to experience as many things in a day as you have time for.
These passes are sold in increments of days, and the longer the pass the less the daily cost is.
So, if you plan efficiently, you will end up getting free access to several tours and attractions.
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