Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Chicago Ridge

"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."

"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."

"If you’ve been making a to do list for Chicago, you’ve probably listed a few of Navy Pier‘s attractions already. It extends into Lake Michigan like a sort of overgrown boardwalk, and it’s absolutely packed with shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, movie theaters and other popular places for locals and tourists alike. There are rides, too."

"Daily story times and Critter Connections that let kids touch and feel animals keep families coming back to Peggy Notebaert. Those, and the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, where butterflies of all kinds, colors and sizes fly around and even land on visitors. Hands-on exhibits let kids learn about water, rivers, the environment and a climbing structure keeps them active."

"This Lincoln Park museum uses hands-on exhibits to explore Illinois ecology and natural history. Check out a butterfly greenhouse, splash in water tables to explore how rivers work, and learn how the museum hatches and raises wetland animals like turtles. A post shared by Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (@naturemuseum) on Mar 20, 2017 at 9:13am PDT"

"Lucy’s Uptown is new to the corner of Wilson and Broadway, but trust me you can’t miss it. This diner is painted with colorful rainbows, peace signs, and a redheaded logo that might remind you of Wendy. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Uptown of Chicago, the menu at this establishment features seasoned fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, and milkshakes."

"A way to a girl’s heart isn’t through chocolate and flowers, it’s through chocolate gelato flowers. With a new location opening in the popular Water Tower Mall, Amorino is about to become more than just a local secret."

"Day 1: Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Chicago Athletic Club, Riverwalk, Flamingo Rum Club, Signature Room at the 95th Kick off your Chicago trip in the heart of the action, by wandering past the glittering storefronts lining North Michigan Avenue, AKA the Magnificent Mile. This 13-block stretch in the Loop area hosts more than 460 stores including luxury brands like Gucci, Burberry and Louis Vuitton, nearly 300 restaurants, and some of the city’s top hotels. Art aficionados will want to pop into LIK Fine Art Chicago, which displays incredible pieces from famed photographer Peter Lik."

"No trip to Chicago would be complete without a stroll up Michigan Ave and the Magnificent Mile, so head up there after the aquarium. Most of the shops here are super high-end (think Gucci), so if you’re like me, you’re mostly window shopping, but it’s still fun to walk along and enjoy what is Chicago’s version of NYC’s Fifth Avenue."

"The Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s answer to 5th Avenue in New York. It’s a high-end shopping street surrounded by skyscrapers that leads straight into the heart of the business district. Start at the north end and head toward Millennium Park."

"The Riverwalk is exactly what it sounds like: a pedestrian trail that stretches alongside the Chicago River. It’s 1.25 miles, so it doesn’t require a punishing amount of exercise, but it’s long enough to offer a wide range of events and activities for visitors of all types. Are you feeling peckish?"

"If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, Welles Park can offer a respite from all of the lights, noises and crowds of Chicago. It isn’t without amenities. Its centerpiece is an ornate, wire-topped gazebo where bands can play outdoor concerts and community leaders can give rallying speeches."

"Welles Park is a 15.84-acre park located in the heart of Lincoln Square. It is a gathering place for musicians and sports & fitness enthusiasts. The park was created in 1910 and named after Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869."

"Since the 1930s, this Bridgeport bar has been serving beer and shots to a customer base that fawns over this low-ceilinged space. Current ownership, the Badauskas family, took over the bar the 1950s. This charming corner bar even has an open mic for musicians."

"The upscale Gale Street Inn serves some of Chicago’s finest ribs, along with other mouth-watering American eats. Try the “Pullman Burger,” savor some of their delicious jambalaya, or, if you can’t decide and want a bit of everything, order the “Porkapalooza,” which includes a generous sampling of all their pork options (along with their famous ribs) and the jambalaya. The Gale Street Inn originally opened as a tavern in 1963, just across the street from where it is located now."

"Restaurants Italian Gold Coast. This tiny Gold Coast restaurant makes the perfect backdrop for date night. But after one look at the menu, you'll realize that the cutesy interior is backed up by fantastic fare."