One of Chicago's greatest attractions for kids, the Shedd Aquarium offers many exhibits including: Wild Reef - Sharks at the Shedd, Oceanarium, Amazon Rising, Waters of the World, and Caribbean Reef. In addition, there are many water shows performed in the indoor oceanarium amphitheatre, including a dolphin show. (Read More)

In 1997 Mayor Richard M. Daley directed his staff to develop plans for a new music venue to be built over the active tracks and surface parking lot. What is now Millennium Park was first conceived in 1998 with the mission of creating new parkland in Grant Park to transform the unsightly railroad tracks and parking lots that had long dotted the lakefront. Over time, with Mayor Richard M. Daley's vis... (Read More)

The U-505 German submarine--on display since 1954--is the only remaining submarine of its type and a National Historic Landmark. An underground, climate-controlled exhibit includes veteran testimonials, interactive replicas and re-enactments. Onboard tours available for $5. Other favorite exhibits include the Coal Mine, which seems to go hundreds of feet down to demonstrate (in a 25-minute tour)... (Read More)

The Regenstein Center for African Apes quadruples the amount of outdoor space formerly available to gorillas and houses 24 apes: silverbacks JoJo and Kwan, their families and two groups of chimpanzees. Four separate habitats--including three outdoor yards for both chimpanzees and gorillas--mimic the trees, rocks and vegetation of African forests. The Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conser... (Read More)

For a family vacation escape that's a million miles from everyday, yet just a few short smiles away, Captain Dave cordially invites you to KeyLime Cove. KeyLime Cove is a water resort paradise inspired by warm tropical breezes and the laid-back island lifestyle with the most Splash-tacular indoor water park. If you're looking for the perfect family vacation resort hotel in Chicago, you've come t... (Read More)

An interactive children's museum at Navy Pier which features many exhibits including: Play It Safe; Artabounds Gallery; BIG Backyard; Dinosaur Expedition; Inventing Lab; Kids on the Fly Kids Town; Climbing Schooner; My Museum; Skyline; Treehouse Trails; and WaterWays. (Read More)

This nature museum is great for kids and adults alike, and features exhibits including: a Hands-on Habitat, Butterfly Haven, Mysteries of the Marsh, River Works, Extreme Greenhouse, and Wilderness Walk. (Read More)

The Kohl Children's Museum raises "let's pretend" to an art form. More than a dozen attractive, detailed, hands-on exhibits in a roomy yet intimate space give youngsters all sorts of ways to use their imaginations. The Hands-On House features a child-sized house where children can rearrange walls, tile the roof and plant a soft-sculpture garden with the help of a system of buckets and pul... (Read More)

Randall Oaks Park is the largest of the district’s parks, boasting 141 acres of space. It’s the ideal place for a company picnic, family gathering, or a day out of the house. With picnic areas that include grills, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, volleyball areas and underdeveloped land. We have a variety of picnic areas and shelters available for rental that are sure to suit you... (Read More)

Timeless Toys Ltd. was established in 1993 by shopkeepers Harry and Martha Burrows. Living and working in the heart of Lincoln Square, this Chicago couple wanted a toy store that would be an urban oasis for children and their families. We offer: Creative play toys, games, puzzles, puppets, dolls and accessories, scooters, tricycles, outdoor games, and books. This wide selection of toys for all age... (Read More)

Indoor children's playground with two and a half story tubes and tunnels climbing/sliding area. Computers, water play area, blocks and dress-up area. Closed for construction beginning February 2010. (Read More)

Fellger Park was one of 42 new city playgrounds and playlots that were being built or opened to the public in 1950. Established by the Bureau of Parks and Recreation on Board of Education-owned property in Chicago's North Center neighborhood, the new park included a spray pool, a sand box, and playground apparatus. In March 1954, the City Council named the site in honor of Charles L. Fellger, a loc... (Read More)

Tucked away in the West Ridge neighborhood sits the park. Visitors will discover a restored duck-filled lagoon, a small public zoo area with goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, a children's spray pool, a sandbox and a wood playground. (Read More)

All Aboard Diner combines a great variety of dishes,including mouthwatering burgers and homemade soups,with an inviting, family oriented atmosphere! Children will love All Aboard Diner's Kid's Menu too because the meals are delivered right to your table via Train! We also have Kids Games - Train Souvenirs - Ice Cream Parlour Video Games - Interactive Train and a Party Room (Read More)

My husband took our son there and had a GREAT time! Tons of stuff to do and lots of fun! It is huge 41,000 sq. feet. The staff there were very helpful and my husband said it was very clean. Inflatable jumpers, inflatable giant slides, indoor climbing parks, indoor soccer, water play, and velcro walls. They had a blast! (Read More)

UPDATE: KIDDIELAND HAS CLOSED. (Read More)

Turn your next party into a bouncing, sliding, ecstatic extravaganza! At Pump It Up, jump into your own private arenas filled with gigantically fun inflatables. And when everybody’s joyfully worn out, the festivities continue in your own private party room. From pizza to goodie bags - our dedicated staff handles everything for you. So jump on over to Pump It Up today, the inflatably great pa... (Read More)

Arlington has invested heavily in the future of racing, but the tradition associated with its glorious past will always be special. World class jockeys, trainers and Thoroughbreds have graced this track throughout the decades. On July 13, 1996, Cigar came to Arlington to win his 16th consecutive race to tie Citation's modern day record. On a perfect summer day, more than 34,000 people jammed Arling... (Read More)

Part of Chicago's Museum Campus, the Field Museum educates and entertains visitors with exhibits about nature and culture, prehistoric to present. One if its most popular attractions is Sue, the world's largest and most complete T.rex dinosaur skeleton. After your trip back in time, take a trip around the world with exhibits of Egypt, Asia, Africa, China and Native America. Learn about animals like... (Read More)

Brookfield Zoo is located only a few miles from downtown Chicago, and offers far more than a typical zoo experience. In addition to the usual zoo attractions, families with kids of all ages can enjoy a seasonal butterfly exhibit, an interactive Family Play Zoo, a children's zoo, a carousel ride, and dolphin presentations. A fun way to see the entire zoo is to take a narrated Motor Safari Tram Tour.... (Read More)

Cosley Zoo is quaint, but packs a lot into a small space. The duck pond is home to several kinds of waterfowl. The clean barn and surrounding fenced areas house cows and horses, sheep and burros, goats and chickens. The wildlife area features birds and mammals native to Illinois, as well as exotic species. Don't be surprised if you encounter a peacock strutting freely around the grounds. The area i... (Read More)

Veteran Acres is one of the crown jewels of the Crystal Lake Park District. Located on the site are the Nature Center (link to Nature Center info and images), Rotary Building and Rotary Warming House. This park boasts a variety of outdoor athletic fields and recreational areas including restrooms, two picnic shelters, a playground, two lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, horseshoe pit, Mary ... (Read More)

Built in 1947, Margate Fieldhouse was immediately an essential improvement to the Lincoln Park community. Today, Margate provides a variety of recreational programs including a new interactive playground that invites all park patrons to Come Out and Play! (Read More)

In 1907, the city's Special Park Commission began creating a municipal playground in the then?congested working class Lincoln Park neighborhood. Formerly a rubbish-filled clay pit, the property needed excavation and cleaning before it could be transformed into parkland. After filling and grading the site, the city installed a running track and playing field that could be flooded in winter for ice s... (Read More)

What do you get when you combine the fun and excitement of Illinois' largest water park with all the amenities of a nationally renowned hotel? CoCo Key Water Resort, an outstanding concept in family leisure. CoCo Key brings incredible water park fun indoors, providing time-starved families with a close-to-home getaway that's got something for every member of your family. Want to relax, unwi... (Read More)