When the family and I headed to Chicago for a wedding this summer, we knew that we wanted to see as much of the city as possible. We only had 24 hours to take in the sights, so we picked our list of must-see, family-friendly attractions and set out to conquer the Windy City. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Chicago offered for families. We walked for seven miles and treated our self to fun and deep dish pizza along the way.
Here are the McCloskey Family Top 5 Chicago Attractions:
Wrigleyville
While we didn't have time to take in a game at Wrigley Field, we still enjoyed exploring this iconic, once working-class neighborhood. We stood in front of the famous Wrigley Field sign, popped in and out of the sports themed shops and ate a delicious lunch at Smoke Daddy BBQ. The menu had so many options for the adults and kids and even catered to my gluten-free niece. They had a large selection of craft beer that was a refreshing treat for the adults after walking around.
Navy Pier
From the moment we saw the pier entrance, the kids were in awe. Located just inside is the Chicago Children's Museum. We headed upstairs and spent time watching the water dance in the Crystal Gardens. (I think I was more mesmerized than the kids). After much anticipation, we finally made our way to the Centennial Wheel. We ascended almost 200 feet and had great views of the city. There was tons to do on this 3,300 foot pier, but my favorite thing was hanging out with Bob Newhart and taking in the views of Lake Michigan. On select summer nights, there is a fireworks show and live music.
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The Bean
The official name for this famous sculpture is "Cloud Gate". It was created by British artist Anish Kapoor and is 110-tons. A 12 foot-high arch creates a "gate" to the area beneath the sculpture which welcomes everyone to come and touch it's shiny surface. It is made of seamless, highly polished stainless steel plate and reflects the city's skyline and the clouds above it. It is the largest sculpture of it's kind. The Bean is a fun spot to take a picture and rest for a bit before headed off to see more sights. (If don't believe me, just ask our cousin Jake!)
Chicago Riverwalk
Turn on any TV on St. Patrick's Day and you are likely to get a view of Chicago's most famous citizen, the Chicago River. The best way to see it? Stroll along the River Walk. The family and I took an early morning 1.25 mile stroll and were enchanted by all of the shopping, restaurants and "River Tours" that we passed along the way. The kids enjoyed waving to the people on the boats and I enjoyed the view of the bridges. If you have time to hop on an "Architectural Cruise" and learn more about the buildings and bridges, I would highly recommend that you do. It's definitely on our list for our next visit.
Skydeck Chicago
I have saved my favorite attraction for last, because it left my head spinning...literally. When I told my husband that we were heading to the 103rd floor of a building so that our kids could step out on a glass ledge, he looked at me like I had lost my mind. The moment we walked off the elevator of Skydeck Chicago, he realized just what the hype was all about. Being 1,343 feet above the ground gives you the most unbelievable view of the city. From the tower, you can see 40-50 miles in each direction (depending on the weather conditions) and it is a great spot to get your "bearings" of the city. The tower itself is amazing, but the Ledge is what makes the experience unforgettable. The Ledge is a 7,500 lb. glass box that extends 4.3 feet from the tower and has three layers of half-inch thick glass that are pressed into one seamless unit. If you are brave enough to step out on the Ledge, you will be rewarded with a crystal clear view of the city from all sides and BELOW! The Skydeck was truly our favorite attraction and one that you will not want to miss.
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Chicago won our hearts and we will be back soon!
Here is a list of things that we hope to do on our next visit:
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Maggie Daley Park
Water Tower Place
Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour
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*I was not financially compensated for this article.I was hosted for review purposes. The opinions are completely based on myself and my families opinion.
