Millennium Park and the Jelly Bean

Millennium Park is best known as the park with the giant metal “jelly bean”. Kids (and adults) will have fun investigating the giant mirror. Additionally, make sure to get a fun family selfie while you are there. Also, the park also has a giant LCD screen that is electrically synced to a fountain for some fun shows.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier has numerous activities for kids, including the Centennial Wheel sky wheel, a carousel, a children’s museum and a funhouse maze (Which is what we did). However, kids will for sure enjoy the festival atmosphere.

water taxi and river tour

The Chicago Water Taxi and Shoreline Water Taxi services offer both a tour of the city as well as a practical way to get from Navy Pier into the city. Also, we used Shoreline taxi to go from Navy Pier west to the Michigan Avenue Bridge. 

The Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre is a beautiful and intimate venue to see a show. We have been a few times as it is only about a 5 hour drive for us from Cincinnati. I’ve always enjoyed the smaller theater size as well as the beautiful and historic interior.

Eat a steak or a deep dish pizza

The two best foods in Chicago! For pizza, the local feud is Gino’s East or Lou Malnati’s or Giorodano’s. Try them all and decide your favorite!

However, for a steakhouse, we went to Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf. Definitely, the steaks were amazing. Also, the atmosphere is exactly what you think of as an old and dark Chicago steakhouse dining room.

Legoland Discovery center

I have never been to on of the larger Legoland’s in Florida or California. However, we had a lot of fun at the Legoland Discovery Center. It is located northwest of downtown, just past the O’Hare airport.

Also, there are numerous Lego sculptures and building areas for the kids. Additionally, there is a 3-D movie theater and a few smaller rides that were perfect for younger kids, or older kids who love Lego.

ALSO CONSIDER VISITING THESE NEARBY AREAS

Check out some of the other sights in the Midwest Region.