Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Gun Club Ponds

"The Field Museum is everything you’d expect in a natural history and science museum. Kids can shrink to the size of a bug to crawl around the Underground Adventure or sit back in awe, watching Sue the T-Rex’s life story in 3D. The Crown Family Play Lab is a place just for the smallest visitors, and gives kids a hands-on opportunity to explore the exhibits."

"Photo courtesy of Copyright Field Museum, photography by Lucy Hewett. Mummies, fossils and dinosaurs, kid favorites, are some of the historic treasures inside the Field Museum. Massive columns and striking galleries filled with natural light help kids feel the history and you're immediately greeted by two massive elephants and Maximo the Titanosaur."

"Head to Field Museum, and snap a selfie with Máximo, the largest titanosaur — stretching 122 feet from head to tail, peeking behind your shoulder."

"Watch sharks feed, sea otters swim, stingray glide, and dolphins play at Shedd Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Although not strictly a museum, Shedd Aquarium is part of Chicago’s Museum Campus, along with the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium — so think of it more as a living museum filled with exotic aquatic life. The views are spectacular, stretching across Lake Michigan."

"$39.95, $29.95 ages 3-11, special rates for Chicago residents, free members; timed ticket or registration required. Kids can touch aquatic animals or see them up close at one of the daily presentations. Exhibits include fish, sharks, penguins, dolphins, sea lions and other water animals in their regular habitats, showing life in rivers, streams and different ocean environments."

"The entire marine world—from the Caribbean reef to Arctic waters—is on view on the banks of Lake Michigan. Some 32,000 animals live here. Big draws include Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, sharks, stingrays, and some awfully cute otters."

"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 combines everything you could ever hope for in an area of a city you're visiting, and it has placed it right on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are shops, places to eat, boat tours, mini golf and a Ferris wheel. You might also find the Children's Museum of interest if you're there with family."

"Now, I see it as a convenient spot for my 2 year old to get his wiggles out. With activities for every season, Navy Pier is worth a visit. The Children’s Museum is a great choice for rainy days."

"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."

"An homage to oysters, pork, and beer, The Publican’s eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a space evocative of a European beer hall.” While The Publican is chiefly a seafood and pork restaurant offering hand-selected and sustainably raised fish, the rustic West Loop spot also offers a charming brunch with various meat and vegetarian options. More information can be found here."

"The Publican has become a part of the fabric of Fulton Market highlighting farm-to-table fare long before it was a culinary catch-phrase. Among the first to open in the uncharted meatpacking district in 2008, its star has not dimmed. Driven by seasonality with menus shifting constantly, you can always count on some of the best bread in the city fresh from the restaurant's own bakery."

"As the name suggests, the roof at The Garage Bar does whip up sandwiches: some teeming with crispy shrimp, others humble burgers elevated with a fried egg and bacon. Upstairs, the roof is decked out with comfy couches and green umbrellas, plus a changing list of 130 different beers, so even regulars can try something new. Plus, guests can play a handful of games like shuffleboard and darts."

"Take your brunch poolside at all star chef Stephanie Izard’s vibrant Peruvian-inspired stunner perched atop the West Loop’s ever-hip Hoxton Hotel. Perfect ceviche, addictive avocado dip served with a spread of yuzu-tomato, taro, and sweet potato chips, signature goat empanadas with huacatay mayo, and hangover-blasting salchipapas piled high with thick-cut frites, fried chorizo, amarillo mayo, and poached eggs will have your head spinning before a second a round of Lima Dreamin’ cocktails (Luna Azul tequila, huckleberry, cardamom, lime, ginger ale) handily cools things down.How to order: Head to OpenTable for patio and indoor dining reservations or grab pick-up and delivery via Caviar, DoorDash, and Cabra’s online portal. Available for Delivery/Takeout"

"Fulton MarketHop on over to the perennially hip Hoxton Hotel and drop into Chicago chef darling Stephanie Izard’s colorful Peruvian outpost for unparalleled skyline vistas, loungey pool party vibes, and the best dang ceviche this side of Machu Picchu. A sojourn to this Fulton Market hotspot also gets you access to all the bright and summery pisco sours and goat empanadas you can handle.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"Revel in the Peruvian-inspired cocktails, ceviche and toothsome dishes from Girl & the Goat chef Stephanie Izard at this Fulton Market rooftop escape. The garage doors that flank its dining room close during the winter to keep the space warm."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."

"Serving some of the city's best sushi, this warm, cozy room in West Town seems to encourage you to stay for hours, sipping sake and Japanese whisky. Start with appetizers like the chrunchy chicken karaage or the decadent roasted bone marrow served with ribeye tarare before moving on to sashimi, nagiri and maki selections. You'll find everything from bluefin tuna to Alaskan king crab on the menu, along with speciality items that can be accompanited by optional caviar supplements."

"After recouping from a recent fire, Arami is back in business serving fine sashimi, nigiri, and maki, as well as tasty ramen, and other large and small plates. Presentation is not an afterthought here; each dish is beautifully plated. They recently received a Michelin Bib Gourmand nomination for the fifth year in a row."

"On a Sunday evening of 1871, the Great Chicago Fire swept the downtown. It destroyed the original church building of Wabash and Grand, and later, the renovated church was moved- to the new Michigan Avenue. Located in this Magnificant Mile, the Fourth Presbyterian Church is a mundane settlement of spire."

"Pablo Picasso produced this monumental piece of public art for Chicago in the mid-1960s. Standing in Daley Plaza, the Chicago Picasso weighs almost 147 metric tons and stands over 15 metres tall. Since it was unveiled in 1967, the work, rumoured to depict French model Lydia Corbett who sat for a series of drawings for Picasso in the 1950s, is a landmark for the city and something for kids to clamber on."

"This massive cubist sculpture by Pablo Picasso was the first major piece of public artwork of its kind in downtown Chicago, and today, this Daley Plaza piece is a major landmark. Choose your selfie position — “The Picasso” looks quite different depending on where you stand."

"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"

"If you judge an ice cream shop solely on how close it looks to a Willy Wonka-type Wonderland, then Windy City Sweets is your golden ticket. This classic Lakeview haunt is chock full of so much Americana sweets and ice cream that you practically get a cavity just by entering the front door. The candy (and fudge!) supply is great, but the ice cream is truly special."

"Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like."

"You can probably already tell that we love our cupcakes here in Chicago. More Cupcakes is known for their upscale environment and minimalist display. Stop by for delicious cupcakes with unique toppings."