By Lisa Russell
Chicago is one of the most well-rounded destinations in the world, packaged with a number of museums and attractions that people of all ages can enjoy. Moreover, there are a smattering of smaller suburbs that each have distinctive character and a vast variety of smaller, more eclectic offerings.
Bronzeville Children's Museum
If you're traveling with kids or just a kid at heart, the Bronzeville Children's museum offers hands-on activities to explore and learn about science, mathematics and industry. Additionally, they have interactive play rooms where kids can role-play various careers. The Website features free educational video games, as well.
Bronzeville Children's Museum
9301 S. Stony Island Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60617
http://www.bronzevillechildrensmuseum.com
The Adler Planetarium
America's first planetarium can be a romantic date or an educational experience for children. Either way, the museum houses three theaters, and an impressive collection of antique science instruments.
Adler Planetarium
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, Illinois 60605
312-922 7827
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
63rd Street Beach
In 1871, when designers Olmsted & Vaux, of New York's Central Park, laid out Chicago's Jackson Park along with the adjacent Midway Plaisance and Washington Park, they probably had no idea that more than a hundred years later, it would still be a hot spot for Chicago tourists. The renovated beach house and surrounding businesses make this area look and feel like a beach town.
63rd Street Beach
6300 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60637
312-742-PLAY
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Ride a Bicycle along the Riverway
Chicago's Riverwalk offers 18 miles of shoreside public walkways as well as seating areas along the water's edge. Rent a bicycle by the hour or by the day and enjoy incredible views of the skyscrapers on one side and watch the boats go by on the other. Return the bicycle to any of five locations that span the riverwalk paths.
301 E. Riverwalk South
Chicago, Illinois
(888) 245-3929
www.bikechicago.com
Get All Washed Up at Atcher Island Water Park
Less than an hour west of Chicago is Schaumburg, Illinois, home to a water park disguised as a Polynesian paradise. Atcher Island Water Park is a tropical-themed playground that offers several slippery water slides, plus an amazing circular drop slide. There is also a children's' spray ground and various other water attractions. The park is open seasonally, from June to August.
Atcher Island Water Park
730 S. Springinsguth Road
Schaumburg, Illinois 60195
847-985-2135
http://www.parkfun.com
Go Ice Skating, Even in the Summer
The All Seasons Ice Rink in Naperville is a little over half an hour from Chicago and features two full-sized ice skating rinks. The rink boasts both a game room and ballet room. The pro shop features several kids of skates and skating gear. The public can rent skates, as well as take a skating class. Classes range in offering, from beginner level through advanced skaters, and is the home rink for the Illinois State Champion Sabre Youth Hockey Association.
All Seasons Ice Rink
31W 330 N. Aurora Rd.
Naperville, Illinois 60563
630-851-0755
http://www.allseasonsicerinks.com
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
Less than half an hour from Chicago, in beautiful Oak park, you'll find the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio. For the first 20 years of his career, Frank used this, his home, as grounds for his architectural experiments. His six children were raised here and now the house serves as a monument to his accomplishments. Wright designed several Oak Park homes, and at the museum you can purchase self-guided tour plans of the area, as well as walking through the interior and exterior features of the home.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
951 Chicago Ave.
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
708-848-1976
http://www.gowright.org/
About the Author:
Lisa Russell is an entrepreneur and writer from Washington State, with a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. She's been published in regional parenting publications, homeschooling publications and has published over 10,000 articles online since 1999. She studied Early Childhood Education at Antelope Valley College.
