Great Family Getaways in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a beautiful city with several magical places for children of all ages to play and learn. The variety is astounding and can be very enriching. Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is a landscaped masterpiece that has exquisite bronze sculptures and a fantastic water/light show at night. This is probably a great way to introduce your children to landscaping at its finest, or just enjoy a stroll in picturesque settings. The Chicago Trolley System will take you around the city to catch a glimpse of the Sears Tower, State Street Shopping, and the museums. Be sure to climb the Sears Tower and enjoy the panoramic views from the recently remodeled skydeck. The Hancock Observatory also offers great opportunities to see panoramic views of Chicago. They have skywalk tours, a soundscope, a history of Chicago and an opportunity to take pictures that will make your friends think you are a daredevil after all. If you aren't much of a land-lubber, you might want to see Chicago by water. Wendella Boats offers sight-seeing tours, an opportunity to learn about Chicago's architecture with their architecture tours, and a riverboat ferry with connections to Chicago's bus and rail systems. Visit the Shedd Aquarium and pretend to be an underwater sea creature. You can also view lizards and, possibly, catch a glimpse of the Komodo dragon.

Nature always offers some of the best opportunities for you to play with your children, so if you are more of an outdoors person you might want to see the Chain-o-Lakes, a network of lakes that are all 'chained' together so that you can go from one to the other withouth leaving your boat. Take the children to the Fox Lake adept at boat steering - yes, I realize this is not boat terminology, but that goes to show you how much I know about it). If you can't bribe anyone to take you there, try one of these other restaurants. The Chain-o-LakesCamp and the State Park are also great ways to have fun in the outdoors. Camp, fish, go boating hike, bike, ride horses, picnic, and ski.

For active toddlers, you might want to try the Lincoln Park Zoo, where they can learn about animals while they participate in crafts or the Brookfield Zoo. The Chicago Children's Museum has many things for little hands to do and see. They might also like the large variety of fish at the Shedd Aquarium.

Chicago has a lot to offer families with children of various ages. Several trips may be required to take in all the sites and wonders but it is well worth it. Enjoy!