Verdict

Chicago with kids

What's genuinely worth it with the family — and what to skip.

Independent, never pay-to-rankGraded for who you areHow we decide
Chicago travel
  1. Starved Rock State Park (day-trip)1.Starved Rock State Park (day-trip)With kids, Starved Rock State Park (day-trip) works.
  2. Lakefront Trail2.Lakefront TrailWith kids, Lakefront Trail works.
  3. Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)3.Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)With kids, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean) works.
  4. Garfield Park Conservatory4.Garfield Park ConservatoryWith kids, Garfield Park Conservatory works.
  5. Chinatown5.ChinatownWith kids, Chinatown works.
  6. Museum Campus6.Museum CampusWith kids, Museum Campus works.
  7. Field Museum7.Field MuseumWith kids, Field Museum works.
  8. Willis Tower Skydeck8.Willis Tower SkydeckWith kids, Willis Tower Skydeck works.
  9. Smoque BBQ9.Smoque BBQWith kids, Smoque BBQ works.
  10. Pequod's Pizza10.Pequod's PizzaWith kids, Pequod's Pizza works.
  11. Adler Planetarium11.Adler PlanetariumWith kids, Adler Planetarium works.
  12. Indiana Dunes (day-trip)12.Indiana Dunes (day-trip)With kids, Indiana Dunes (day-trip) works.
  13. Museum of Science & Industry13.Museum of Science & IndustryWith kids, Museum of Science & Industry works.
  14. The Loop & the 'L'14.The Loop & the 'L'With kids, The Loop & the 'L' works.
  15. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria15.Lou Malnati's PizzeriaWith kids, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria works.
  16. Shedd Aquarium16.Shedd AquariumWith kids, Shedd Aquarium works.
  17. Deep-Dish Pizza Crawl17.Deep-Dish Pizza CrawlWith kids, Deep-Dish Pizza Crawl works.
  18. Lincoln Park18.Lincoln ParkWith kids, Lincoln Park works.
  19. North Avenue Beach19.North Avenue BeachWith kids, North Avenue Beach works.
  20. The Walnut Room20.The Walnut RoomWith kids, The Walnut Room works.
  21. Lincoln Park Zoo21.Lincoln Park ZooWith kids, Lincoln Park Zoo works.
  22. Christkindlmarket22.ChristkindlmarketWith kids, Christkindlmarket works.
  23. Grant Park23.Grant ParkWith kids, it depends on the day.
  24. Buckingham Fountain24.Buckingham FountainWith kids, it depends on the day.
  25. Tilt at 360 Chicago25.Tilt at 360 ChicagoWith kids, it depends on the day.
  26. The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)26.The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)With kids, it depends on the day.
  27. 360 Chicago (Hancock)27.360 Chicago (Hancock)With kids, it depends on the day.
  28. Chicago Riverwalk28.Chicago RiverwalkWith kids, it depends on the day.
  29. Pilsen Murals & 18th Street29.Pilsen Murals & 18th StreetWith kids, it depends on the day.
  30. Hyde Park30.Hyde ParkWith kids, it depends on the day.
  31. Wrigleyville31.WrigleyvilleWith kids, it depends on the day.
  32. Old Town32.Old TownWith kids, it depends on the day.
  33. Chicago Cultural Center33.Chicago Cultural CenterWith kids, it depends on the day.
  34. Girl & the Goat34.Girl & the GoatWith kids, it depends on the day.
  35. Au Cheval35.Au ChevalWith kids, it depends on the day.
  36. The Publican36.The PublicanWith kids, it depends on the day.
  37. Monteverde37.MonteverdeWith kids, it depends on the day.
  38. The Peninsula Chicago38.The Peninsula ChicagoWith kids, it depends on the day.
  39. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago39.Four Seasons Hotel ChicagoWith kids, it depends on the day.
  40. The Langham, Chicago40.The Langham, ChicagoWith kids, it depends on the day.
  41. Chicago Athletic Association Hotel41.Chicago Athletic Association HotelWith kids, it depends on the day.
  42. Maggie Daley Park42.Maggie Daley ParkWith kids, it depends on the day.
  43. Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter)43.Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon (winter)With kids, it depends on the day.

Itineraries are prefiltered verdict lists — every spot is graded honestly, not pay-to-place.