My parents are from the suburbs outside Chicago. I’ve spent a lot of time in this beautiful city. When I was a kid, we spent every summer in Chicago visiting my grandparents. This city holds a special place in my heart and always will. This summer, after what felt like forever, we jumped on a plane to visit family and enjoy some time in my favorite city in the United States. 

Your City Guide to Chicago

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Where to Stay in Downtown Chicago

You will love the Swissotel Chicago! This hotel is in the perfect location in the heart of downtown Chicago, right next to the River and Navy Pier. Location is everything when visiting the city. If you are visiting with kids, the kid suite option is a must! I’ve never seen anything like it! Read my full review on the Swissotel Chicago here. 

Where to Eat

Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta on E. Madison St. is a treat! We stumbled upon this lively restaurant walking back from the Skydeck. We ordered pasta, and it was incredible. I almost asked them for the sauce recipe. They make all their pasta in-house, including gluten-free ravioli. If you’re in the mood to have some fun, The Chach or “Uncle Chach” will keep you entertained. He remembered everyone in the restaurant by name and was full of personality. You’ll have to go and see for yourself when you’re in Chicago! Here’s the menu for you.

 

D4 Irish Pub & Cafe on E. Ohio Street was a great place to sit and relax. Pat loved the Sheperd’s Pie, I had the gluten-free carnitas tacos, and the kids scarfed down the grilled cheese and mini hamburgers. Check out the menu here. 

 

What to Do in Chicago with Kids 

There are so many things to do in Chicago! The list is endless. These are great options when you are in Chicago with kids.

Skydeck Chicago:

If you’re brave enough, visit The Ledge, a series of glass boxes extending out from the building overlooking the city 103 floors above the city streets. Only 1.5″ of glass underneath your feet holds you up. Please do it! The view is incredible. Anything to get that Instagram pic!

If you’re too scared to stand on the ledge, the experience leading up to the Skydeck is full of Chicago’s history on the way to the elevator up is worth the trip! The girls loved the city bus that makes you feel like you’re moving and the giant pizza and hotdog in the Taste of Chicago portion of the experience. Find tickets here. 

Ride the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier: 

The Ferris wheel is a perfect way to get a good look at the city. Ride it at sunset for a spectacular city view!

Navy Pier also has carnival games and rides. Bring your sneakers to climb a rock wall or ride the swings and carousal. You can spot fireflies near the colorful water fountain in the park that you can run through even at night. 

Museums

The Field Museum:

If museums are your thing, the Field Museum is a fun place to explore. You won’t want to miss the dinosaur exhibit. The most complete t-rex skeleton ever discovered is on display at The Field Museum and is a sight to see!

The Shed Aquarium:

The dolphin show is so much fun! 

The Pantheon:

Take a look at the stars in the pantheon. We didn’t get to go on this trip, but they are opening back up soon! On our next trip to Chicago, we’ll be booking tickets. Piper loves learning about the stars. 

The Art Institute of Chicago:

When I was little, we went to this art museum every trip. They have some beautiful works of art. My favorite is Sunday Afternoon On La Grande Jatte by George Seurat, all made from tiny dots. More favorites include The Child’s Bath by Mary Cassatt, The Bedroom by Vincent van Gogh, The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso, American Gothic by Grant Wood. 

Take a Walk to These Sights

Millennium Park has the famous “bean,” it’s called Cloud Gate, a great place to take photos. The reflection of the city in the giant metallic bean-shaped sculpture is mesmerizing.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is enormous and, of course, beautiful.

The Chicago Riverwalk is a gorgeous place to walk along the Chicago River.

Maggie Daily Park is supposed to be an amazing playground for kids. We ran out of time and didn’t make it, but since so many people told me about it, I thought it was worth mentioning. 

Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place to take the kids and an added bonus, it’s free!  I loved it there when I was a kid.

Getting Around in the City

We rented a car since we were in the suburbs for the first few days of our trip, but we didn’t use it while downtown. We parked in the Swissotel garage and didn’t move the car until heading back to O’Hare airport to fly home. If you are up for walking it is a great way to take in the city sights! The best way to get around besides walking is using Uber or Lyft.

If you’ve never been I know you’ll love Chicago! It is such a beautiful city and a great one to travel to with kids!

Read Next:

Swissotel Chicago Hotel Review

The Ultimate Carry On Checklist 

Summer Road Trip Essentials 

Summer Bucket List

 

A special thank you to Swissotel Chicago, Navy Pier, The Field Museum, and Skydeck Chicago for hosting us! We had the most amazing time in Chicago and can’t wait to come back soon!