Family Fun in Chicago

Raffaello Hotel

Raffaello Lobby

Chicago is one of the nation's most popular vacation spots. When the family needs to get away for some fun and excitement, this is the place to go. With numerous attractions, rich history, and plenty of activities, Chicago is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

LODGING

• Best Western Grant Park Hotel. This hotel is located within walking distance to a number of this city's attractions, including the Shed Aquarium and the Art Institute. The hotel offers amenities such complimentary morning coffee in the lobby, complimentary newspaper, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, tea and coffee making facilities, and an on-site restaurant. Children 17 and under stay free.  
• Best Western River North Hotel. This hotel offers great value and ample amenities with free parking, complimentary coffee, newspaper, and seasonal fruit in the lobby, an on-site Chicago-style pizzeria, indoor pool, fitness center, gift shop and sundeck. Rooms feature cable television with HBO, movies available upon request, coffee makers, safes and the first 30 minutes of local calls are free. Room service is available from six in the morning until eleven at night. Children 17 and under stay free.

TOURS

• South Shore Tour. This two-hour tour will take you through Grant Park, past Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium, The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell, The Art Institute of Chicago, Orchestra Hall, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural History. Then you'll move through Jackson Park, the South Commons and you'll see Lake Point Towers, the world's tallest apartment buildings.
• Land and Lake Tour. This 4-hour tour includes a sightseeing tour on a streamlined yacht as well as a land-based tour through Grant Park, past Soldiers Field, Adler Planetarium, The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell, The Art Institute of Chicago, Orchestra Hall, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural History.
• Sears Tower and Skydeck and Inside Chicago Tour. This tour will treat you to the sights of the Loop, State Street, famous sculptures by Picasso, Miro and Moore, yacht harbors, beaches, and more. This tour will also get you admission to the Sears Tower Skydeck.

ATTRACTIONS

• Sears Tower and Skydeck. The Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America, standing 110 stories high at over 1,400 feet. The Skydeck is located on the 103rd floor standing at 1,353 feet. On a clear day, you can see Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana from the Skydeck. The building features the Elevators to the Stars, containing 50-inch screen monitors that make it seem as though you're going straight through the top of the Tower and into outer-space. While in the Skydeck, take advantage of the high-powered telescopes that will give you an even greater, detailed view of the city. Shopping and dining are available right in the Tower.
• Lincoln Park Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including penguins, bears, wolves, tigers, elephants and more. Set in Lincoln Park, right in the middle of the city, it's an excellent way to spend a few hours--or all day. And to top it off, admission to the zoo is Free, and is one of the few free zoos remaining in the country.
• Navy Pier. Navy Pier opened in 1916 and has been a favorite for tourists and locals alike. You can find numerous attractions at the park including a Ferris Wheel, carousel, miniature golf, a cliff climb, Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier IMAX Theatre as well as shopping, and dining venues. The Build a Bear Workshop allows you to build your own stuffed animal. You can even take a dinner cruise from the Pier on the Spirit of Chicago.
• Museum of Science and Industry. This is an attraction the entire family will enjoy and can learn from. Learn about how trains and planes work. Descend into a coal mine and learn all about the history of mining. Visit the Fairy Castle, an amazing doll house that took the work of over 700 individuals to finish, to a tune of $500,000. The jeweled dollhouse of every little girls dreams features over 2000 miniatures and is a must-see for every little girl. At this museum, you can also enter a genuine U-505 that was captured in battle in 1944. There are so many exhibits at this museum, that the entire family is sure to find their favorite.
• The Field Museum of Natural History. This museum has such a vast amount of exhibits you won't know where to begin, and can probably spend a full day here. This is where the Tsavo lions--from the movie The Ghost and the Darkness --are on display. See the skeletal remains of real-life dinosaurs. Tour exhibits with Native American artifacts and exhibits of the Egyptians.
• Adler Planetarium. The Adler Planetarium is where you can see the famed Sky Theatre, a 68-foot dome where you will observe a recreation of the stars in the evening sky. You can learn to use a telescope and visit the new "Stranded in an Alien Lab" interactive exhibit where you can find clues about an alien scientist and her work.
• Shedd Aquarium. This is the largest aquarium in the world. Here you can see the Wild Reef, which is home to the most diverse shark display in North America. The sharks swim side-by-side with other predators of the water in a 400,000 gallon display. The aquarium is also home to creatures such as anaconda, piranhas, dolphins, sea otters, whales and more.