Visiting Chicago with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
Stay downtown or near Lincoln Park. The Children’s Museum is on Navy Pier, the Field Museum is on Museum Campus south of the Loop, and Lincoln Park Zoo is a short ride north. The suburbs have two more children’s museums and Brookfield Zoo. Here’s a plan with nap time built in.
Top 2 can’t-miss spots
One day or two in Chicago
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
MORNINGLincoln Park ZooFree; buildings open at 10am · Lincoln Park, 2400 N. Cannon Dr. · Free
LUNCHEadie Levy’s Landmark CaféInside the zoo · Lincoln Park
AFTER NAPPeggy Notebaert Nature MuseumNext door, open until 4pm · Lincoln Park, 2430 N. Cannon Dr. · $8 Illinois residents kids, $15 Illinois residents adultsDay 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGChicago Children’s MuseumOpen at 10am · Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. · $21 Illinois residents, $25 non-residents kidsAFTER NAPField MuseumLast entry 4pm · Museum Campus, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Café · Lincoln ParkEadie Levy’s Landmark CaféNear Lincoln Park Zoo and Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumHot dogs and Italian beef · River NorthPortillo’s & Barnelli’sNear Chicago Children’s MuseumDeep-dish pizza · River NorthLou Malnati’s (River North)Near Chicago Children’s MuseumCafé · Lincoln ParkPark Place Café (Lincoln Park Zoo)Near Lincoln Park Zoo and Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumRainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Chicago.
Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.Chicago Children’s MuseumIndoors.Kids $21 Illinois residents, $25 non-residentsUnder 1IndoorMuseum Campus, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.Field MuseumIndoors.IndoorLincoln Park, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumIndoors.Kids $8 Illinois residentsAdults $15 Illinois residentsIndoor
The LoopHarold Washington Library CenterIndoors.FreeIndoorGlenview, 2100 Patriot Blvd.Kohl Children’s MuseumIndoors.Kids $20Under 12 monthsIndoorNaperville, 301 N. Washington St.DuPage Children’s MuseumIndoors.$22 eachUnder 1IndoorPractical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Santa and Christmas lights in Chicago
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Chicago. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
Visiting Chicago with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Chicago kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Chicago guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 2 free places and 7 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 4 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 1 library system. This week’s list has 48 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Chicago and this weekend’s list.
How many days do you need in Chicago with a toddler?
Two: one in Lincoln Park at the zoo and the Nature Museum, and one at the Children’s Museum on Navy Pier.
Where should we eat in Chicago with kids?
Lou Malnati’s in River North for deep dish, or Portillo’s on Ontario Street for hot dogs.
What if it’s cold?
Chicago Children’s Museum and the Field Museum are both indoors, and Lincoln Park Zoo’s buildings open at 10am.
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