Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Monroe Harbor

"The Polar Play Zone is designed with littles in mind, which means kids have the run in the penguin play place, submarine and touch tanks with real starfish and stingrays. Visit the Amazon Rising and Wild Reef exhibits, see an aquatic show with dolphins, ask questions during an animal chat and watch a 4-D movie. Also, do not miss seeing the live diving and feeding at the Caribbean Reef."

"A visit to Shedd Aquarium is also one of the best things to do in Chicago with toddlers. As one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, Shedd Aquarium is home to everything from penguins to stingrays!. And, the engaging and immersive layout of the aquarium captivates visitors of all ages."

"Another of Chicago’s must-visit sites is the incredible Navy Pier which juts into Lake Michigan and offers up all kinds of fun and family-friendly entertainment. Lined with carnival rides, gardens, and an endless array of enticing attractions – the kilometre-long pier has something for everyone to enjoy with countless restaurants and shops also dotted about. While wandering along the pier, you’ll come across everything from theaters and museums to public plazas and performance spaces with lots of cultural events and festivals held here over the course of the year."

"There are plenty of other attractions from Navy Pier included on this list, but we would be remiss if we didn’t include the Ferris Wheel. At 200-feet high, the Centennial Wheel offers 360-degree views and enclosed gondolas, making it a child favorite no matter the season. A post shared by Ri na Estrada (@_rinaestrada) on Oct 13, 2016 at 4:21pm PDT"

"Celebrate the maritime pride of Chicago at this landmark pier on Lake Michigan. Featuring fun things to do all year long, enjoy waterfront attractions, sightseeing cruises, art, theater, and the Centennial Wheel. Category: Activities, Attractions, Family / Kids"

"A National Historic Landmark, this South Loop church suffered a devastating fire in 1900, so the congregation hired architects Howard Van Doren Shaw and Frederic Clay Bartlett to rebuild the building in the then-popular Arts and Crafts style. Over the years, the church welcomed many famous Chicago families including the Pullmans, Blackstones, and Armours. Open Saturday, October, 19, from 10 a.m."

"For a big city, Chicago has a surprising number of places dedicated to all things green. For example, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, on the shores of Lake Michigan, has a botanical garden teeming with ferns, tropical flowers, and palms."

"Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court."

"A lot of places have a few different vegan doughnuts on their menu. But Beacon (a donut shop that’s actually just a takeout window in an alley in Lincoln Park) devotes its entire menu to vegan donuts. You’ll find about 10 to choose from, with flavors ranging from s’mores to birthday cake, and they manage to be light and fluffy."

"Head off the beaten track for this small-batch shop — literally!. Located in an alley off Armitage, Beacon Doughnuts serves up doughnuts in flavors like this orange pistacchio one, blue lavender and vanilla and more out of their instagrammable walk-up window. Highly recommended to pre-order before you go."

"If I lived in the Old Town / Lincoln Park area I wouldn't go anywhere else. Exceptional basic doughnut supports your favourite classics and a deligh..."

"Another way to enjoy some family fun in Chicago is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This might seem like an odd recommendation for a holiday with kids, but the showcases put up at this theater also include several kid-friendly productions. There are special abridged versions of the classic plays for the younger ones and students to enjoy."

"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."

"Nestled in the South Loop is hidden tropical gem Asian Outpost Hawaiian Hideout. This delicious cuisine ranges from East Asia to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. Try some classic favorites like the Asian Feast or a Hawaiian-inspired Poké Bowls while enjoying a hula show."