Chicago is home to a variety of activities for the whole family, from interactive museum tours to illuminated holiday experiences. This winter, treat your loved ones to an entertaining outing at these 10 local destinations.
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111 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Embark on a creative excursion for family members of all ages at the Art Institute of Chicago as you peruse the museum’s world-renowned exhibits, grab a bite in the cozy cafe and pick up a souvenir (or holiday gifts for your loved ones) at the museum store. The destination offers a Family Visit self-guided tour, which allows visitors to navigate to exhibits that engage every member of your group. Guests can also pay a visit to the Ryan Learning Center for the chance to create their own tour with the digital, interactive and customizable JourneyMaker guide.
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875 N. Michigan Ave., 94th Floor / Website
Take in skyline sights from the 94th floor at this iconic landmark, which offers 360-degree views from 1,030 feet above Lake Michigan and the Mag Mile. During your visit, don’t forget to check out the destination’s sky-high bar and lounge, CloudBar, for snacks and beverages (plus cocktails for the adults in your party).
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1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
Explore natural history, culture and science at the Field Museum—founded to house the biological and anthropological collections from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. While you’re there, wave hello to the world’s largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex, “Sue,” marvel at the museum’s more than 20 million specimens and uncover upcoming family-friendly events, from playdates at the immersive PlayLab to pop-up visits from resident poets.
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600 E. Grand Ave. / Website
Located at Navy Pier, this immersive virtual reality experience captures the feeling of flight through motion seats, sounds, music, mist, screens and videos. Flyover’s newest experience, Legendary Iceland, transports visitors to the land of fire and ice as they soar above scenic fjords, waterfalls and black-sand beaches—all from a bird’s-eye view.
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5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
Meander through the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere, home to 400,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, a five-story wraparound dome theater and numerous tours and experiences for all members of your crew, including 13 learning labs, a chick incubator and more. Through Jan. 6, 2025, the institution is home to the Christmas Around The World and Holidays of Light exhibition, a beloved annual tradition since 1942 that features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree, surrounded by 50 trees and holiday displays that showcase cultures worldwide.
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2001 N. Clark St. / Website
This scenic 35-acre zoo is the longest-running free zoo and one of the oldest in the country. It’s home to nearly 200 animal species from around the world, including a lion pride, a penguin rookery, 10 primate species and more. Through Jan. 5, 2025, the zoo is hosting one of its most beloved annual traditions with the return of ZooLights, an interactive experience featuring more than 3 million lights (including hundreds of LED displays and a holiday light tunnel), Ferris wheel rides and festive seasonal experiences, presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ.
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11 Michigan Ave. / Website
Through Feb. 2, 2025, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is back in Millennium Park—a cherished wintertime tradition since its 2001 inauguration. Whether you’re an experienced skater or are just getting comfortable on the ice, the destination offers beginner, intermediate and hockey lessons (weather permitting) on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. between Nov. 16 and Feb. 2.
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1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
Gather your family and friends for an aquatic adventure at the Shedd Aquarium, which houses approximately 32,000 species of marine life and regularly hosts programs and events for visitors of all ages. Create an engaging visit for all members of your crew with the aquarium’s Must See guided tour, or get tickets to an up-close animal interaction with a penguin, beluga whale, otter or sea lion.
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233 S. Wacker Drive / Website
Take your nearest and dearest to one of Chicago’s most popular visitor attractions, the Willis Tower Skydeck. The glass-enclosed observation deck is located 103 floors above the city and is open year-round.
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1130 W. Monroe St. / Website
This contemporary, immersive art experience features art from some of the industry’s biggest names, such as Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama. Visitors of all ages can enjoy interactive exhibits such as the illuminated Light Floor and the multi-sensory Flux Room.
See also: 27 Fun Things To Do Indoors On A Cold Or Rainy Day In Chicago
Photography by: Getty Images
