A family vacation to Chicago will be anything but basic. And it’s an especially perfect destination if you have teens and tweens in tow. Chicago is filled with an exciting big city energy, interactive museums, cool shopping, unique photo ops, and something for every hard-to-impress teenager.
Check out these top attractions and activities that teens, tweens, and older kids will love.
WNDR Museum
The WNDR Museum is truly a teenage dream. This immersive, ever-changing museum showcases a rotating array of multi-sensory experiences that use color, light, sound, and more. There’s no “look but don’t touch” here — every installation invites visitors to engage and be part of the art. The highlight is one of Yayoi Kusama’s famous infinity rooms, the perfect spot for a unique photo op.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is all about extraordinary, hands-on experiences that bring science to life. And it’s the largest museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, which means you can spend the whole day here, and then some.
A couple of highlights: The museum’s Coal Mine has been taking visitors deep into a (mock) mine shaft since 1933. Enter the Science Storms exhibit and you become a part of seven natural phenomena: lightning, fire, tornadoes, avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight, and atoms in motion. And don’t miss stepping inside a real U-505, the only German submarine in the United States.
Color Factory
Color Factory is a celebration for your senses, featuring over a dozen unique installations built around different colors and the emotions they evoke. The Chicago location inside the Willis Tower celebrates the many different shades of the city, from the blue stripes on our flag to the green pickles atop a Chicago-style hot dog.
Your visit will include fun surprises, sweet treats, and complimentary photos of your experience through the different areas of the museum, which include everything from a giant ball pit to a confetti room.
Chicago Sports Museum
Sports-loving teens will be enthralled by the Chicago Sports Museum. The interactive space featured a blend of high-tech simulations, unique sports memorabilia, skills challenges, and an impressive collection of game-used treasures and other artifacts from Chicago’s most iconic teams.
Visitors are invited to try on a replica Super Bowl ring, test their vertical leap against Michael Jordan, admire a collection of Chicago Cubs World Series memorabilia, and use virtual reality to shoot hoops with Chicago legends.
Maggie Daley Park
Climb, skate, and play on the lakefront at Maggie Daley Park. Scale the outdoor rock climbing walls, reaching a max height of 40 feet, divided into beginner and advanced sections.
Next, strap on your rollerblades or grab a scooter (both available for rent) and head to the Skating Ribbon, a meandering track through the whimsical park landscape. During the winter, the ribbon becomes one of the city’s most unique ice skating spots.
Looking for something a little less heart-pumping? Try a round of mini golf, featuring replicas of iconic Chicago structures, including the Willis Tower, Wells Street bridge, and the Picasso sculpture.
Museum Campus
The Museum Campus is a trifecta of thrills. This unique lakefront space features three of Chicago’s most popular museums, all within walking distance of each other.
The Shedd Aquarium offers the chance for amazing marine animal encounters, including feeding sharks, meeting penguins, getting in the water with beluga whales, and petting stingrays.
Just next door, Máximo the Titanosaur welcomes you to the Field Museum. The long-necked herbivore stretches 122 feet from snout to tail, making it the biggest dinosaur ever discovered. You’ll also find mummies, insects, gemstones, the world’s most complete T. rex skeleton, and so much more.
And the nearby Adler Planetarium will take you on an intergalactic journey, from the Moon to Mars and back. Don’t miss the latest sky show in their immersive, state-of-the-art theatre. Before you go, make sure to stop and admire the stunning skyline views.
Chicago Riverwalk
The award-winning Chicago Riverwalk is more than just a place to walk. It’s also a buzzing waterfront park, with tons of options for urban outdoor recreation.
Spend an afternoon taking a leisurely walk along the scenic pedestrian-only path, enjoying the sights, sounds, and public art along the way. Stop at one of the many riverfront restaurant patios for lunch and watch the tour boats float by.
If you have time, stop in at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum for a new perspective and a quick history lesson. And in the evening, Art on the Mart lights up the Riverwalk with a massive audiovisual projection.
Kayaking
One of the best ways to explore Chicago is on the water. A kayak tour of Chicago’s stunning waterfronts offers unique skyline views, a chance to enjoy the outdoors, and unforgettable memories.
Urban Kayaks offers kayak tours of the Chicago River for all skill levels. Choose from a variety of guided tour options, including sunset tours, Chicago history tours, and even firework tours on select dates. Or opt to rent a kayak and explore at your own pace.
You can also rent single and tandem kayaks, plus paddleboards, from Bobby’s Kayak Company on Ohio Street Beach near Navy Pier.
Navy Pier and FlyOver Chicago
Let’s start at the top — literally. Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel is an iconic part of the Chicago skyline. Soaring to heights of nearly 200 feet, the wheel’s enclosed gondolas mean you can take a ride rain or shine. Plan your visit around Navy Pier’s Summer Fireworks shows that light up the sky from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The seasonal Pier Park also includes the Pepsi Wave Swinger, carousel, climbing walls, and Light Tower Ride.
Once you’ve come down to earth, head to the waters of Lake Michigan for the most adrenaline-pumping ride yet. The jet-propelled Extreme Thrill Ride by Seadog features exhilarating high speeds and full 360-degree spins. Or take a relaxing ride on an old-school schooner with Tall Ship Windy.
Navy Pier also features FlyOver Chicago (a multi-sensory flight simulator experience), the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, family-friendly restaurants, free events, live music, and much more.
Architecture boat tours
History is anything but boring on these must-do Chicago boat tours.
Listen to fun and informative narration about the city’s iconic buildings while cruising down the scenic Chicago River. Wave to pedestrians on the Chicago Riverwalk, gaze up at the famous Marina Towers, and learn the story behind some of Chicago’s most well-known landmarks.
Or hop aboard a skyline tour on Lake Michigan, where you can admire the city’s famed shoreline from a whole new angle. See landmarks like Soldier Field, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, and more from the water.
Skydeck Chicago
Skydeck Chicago, on the 103rd floor of the iconic Willis Tower, is an absolute can’t-miss Chicago experience. This observation deck is located inside one of the tallest buildings on the planet and features spectacular views of the city and four states on a clear day.
A highlight of your experience is The Ledge, a transparent glass-enclosed balcony that allows you to step outside the walls of the building, as though you’re walking on air.
On the ground floor, explore interactive exhibits and fun photo opportunities, like a giant deep dish pizza, comedy club, a moving ‘L’ car, and more classic Chicago experiences.
360 CHICAGO
Keep the thrills going by taking a trip to 360 CHICAGO, an observation deck located inside the iconic 875 N. Michigan skyscraper on The Magnificent Mile. Located on the 94th floor, 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s lakefront, magnificent skyline and four neighboring states.
This sky-high attraction is home to TILT, a one-of-a-kind thrill ride that literally tilts visitors out at over 1,000 feet in the air above Michigan Avenue. Afterward, relax with drinks and snacks at CloudBar while taking in the view.
Escape rooms
Save the White House, escape a zombie, or take a mission to Mars at a Chicago escape room. Whether you’re finding your way out of a goldmine, breaking out of prison, or thwarting an art heist, nothing gets your adrenaline pumping quite as much as that ticking clock! Check out The Escape Game Chicago, which features themed rooms of varying difficulty.
Hip shopping
For fashion-forward teens, browsing Chicago’s cool local boutiques is a must. Head to neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Wicker Park, and Pilsen for streets lined with independent shops, local artisans, and funky thrift spots. Check out our full guide to top vintage shopping and neighborhood boutiques in Chicago for more.
If you’re looking for lots of options in one place, check out top Chicago malls like the 900 North Michigan Shops and Water Tower Place on The Magnificent Mile, Block 37 on State Street, and beyond.
See the best attractions in Chicago at up to 49% savings with CityPASS.
Explore the famous Shedd Aquarium, see scientific discoveries at the Field Museum, take in spectacular views from the Skydeck and more! With two options to choose from and up to 9 days to enjoy, you can't go wrong.
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