Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in River Grove

"Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX theater, a beer garden and lots of chain restaurants. A renovation added public plazas, performance spaces and free cultural programming. Locals still groan over its commercialization, but its lakefront view and cool breezes can't be beat. The fireworks displays on summer Wednesdays (9:30pm) and Saturdays (10:15pm) are a treat too."

"Navy Pier and its surrounding attractions are full of fun activities for kids and adults alike (see above for some more details on all the stuff you can enjoy while there). Take a stroll around the pier, sample some classic boardwalk eats, and take a spin on the iconic Ferris wheel for unbeatable views of the city. Use your Go Chicago Card All-Inclusive Pass to get a 4-Ride pass for Navy Pier attractions, including the ever-popular Centennial Wheel."

"The Chicago Children’s Museum offers veterans and active military free admission every day with the presentation of valid military status identification. They also offer families that qualify for state food assistance and are in possession of an EBT card or WIC card free admission for up to 6 people."

"Located in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Museum is dedicated to expanding knowledge of nature and environmental science. While this might sound advanced for a young child, the museum is actually very toddler-friendly with numerous hands-on exhibits. From an up close visit with critters to an obligatory “burn some energy” play space, the Peggy Notebaert is a gem in the city."

"Chicago's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is operated by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. The museum highlights Chicago's natural history. It is best known for its live butterfly house, which is both an exhibit for visitors and a laboratory that studies how to best preserve the region's population of butterflies."

"This charming ice cream parlor serves up root beer floats from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Their homemade ice creams, pies and cakes are fresh, delicious and definitely worth the trip to Forest Park. Double up on the chocolate-chip ice cream sandwiches — they are divine!"

"Restaurants Bakeries Humboldt Park. One of Chicago’s oldest family-run businesses has operated out of the same storefront, distinguished today by its vertical neon sign and quaint painted lady facade, since its establishment in 1911. Today it’s a good all-arounder, with doughnuts and danish for breakfast, and a wide selection of cake slices and cookies (many in Chicago sports team motifs) for dessert."

"A staple of Chicago’s Humboldt Park for over 100 years, this Roeser’s Bakery celebrates true vintage fashion by selling incredible baked goods for cheap. This bakery in Chicago features custom cakes, tortes, and cookies and more, making Roeser’s Bakery everyone’s go-to place for amazing quality sweets."

"Roeser’s Bakery is the ancient family-owned bakery still in the same location in Chicago. They are now in their fourth generation, with John C. Roeser IV leading the way. They are truly passionate about what they do, you can see it in the wide variety of products they offer."

"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."

"Bombobar is another one of those establishments that started out small but hit it big with the masses. After opening up as a humble walk-up window, Bombobar has expanded to two locations including one 30-seat restaurant in Old Town. If you like over-the-top donuts and shakes, Bombobar is your spot."

"Description: BomboBar serves coffee, hot chocolate, breakfast sandwiches, gelato and its signature bombolini (an Italian hole-less doughnut). Location: 832 W Randolph St, Chicago IL 60607"

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"

"Wishbone, a family owned, independent restaurant, has been cooking southern style, made-from-scratch comfort food for more than 30 years. You can get bacon and eggs anywhere but Wishbone's Shrimp & Grits, Blackened Catfish, Jambalaya Omelette, Chicken Andouille Hash and homemade biscuits in pork sausage gravy will wake up your neurons and digestion. There aren't many places in the Midwest offering signature cornmeal pancakes made with sweet corn and scallions with roasted red pepper sauce plus two eggs."

"Come for Southern-style soul food, full of flavor and served in a casual, relaxed environment. The quirky, funky warehouse-style space (abstract paintings of chickens and eggs adorn the walls) offers breakfast on weekdays and a popular weekend brunch. Try fluffy biscuits, French toast, salmon cakes with hollandaise, or a house specialty called Red Eggs, which consists of two eggs on corn tortillas with black beans, cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, and salsa."

"Bourgeois Pig Cafe may just be the coziest spot in Chicago—but online ordering is now available until coffee shops become our home-away-from-homes again. This coffee shop has a menu full of delicious coffee and food options."

"The Bourgeoise Pig cafe is Lincoln Park’s favorite hipster hangout. It’s a top spot for casual brunch, excellent coffee and cozy vibes. It’s one of those hidden gems that only locals know about."

"But not many are aware that it serves excellent caffeinated drinks as well. The menu has everything that a good coffee shop does. Its hot chocolate is a beverage to die for."

"The Loop isn’t quite rife with French cuisine so this casual steakhouse, attached to the Hyatt Centric and run by WellDone Hospitality Group, has been a welcome addition to the area since opening two years ago. Whether guests stop in during lunch for a beef dip sandwich or treat themselves to a nice hunk of dry-aged beef at dinner, there are plenty of delicious choices that’ll evoke visions of Paris."

"Kick off the last day of your Chicago itinerary with brunch at Cochan Volant, a French bistro in the Loop that is basically a brunch-lovers paradise."

"Restaurants Cafés Edgewater. The lakefront patio of the Waterfront Cafe, a seasonal favorite in Edgewater, feels like it would be equally at home in a small beach town. Snack on nautically-inclined menu items like lobster, brown butter crab or Cajun shrimp rolls and polish off your meal with a mix-and-match bucket of beer."

"If you visit Chicago, this is a great patio-only restaurant featuring views of Lake Michigan and a chance to get as much of a beachy vibe as possible while in the Windy City. The restaurant is right on the water and the atmosphere is really chilled out. Come enjoy the sun and wind while sipping a very reasonable $10 sangria."