Things to do in Chicago with kids this summer

Summer in Chicago is always epic. With 26 miles of shoreline along sparkling Lake Michigan, bountiful gardens, green spaces, and bike trails, Chicago invites visitors to embrace the great outdoors in the city. This summer offers opportunities to paddle the Chicago River in a kayak, see the SpaceX Dragon, fly high over the city on an exciting new ride, and more. So slather on some sunscreen and head out for a summer packed with family fun in Chicago.

Soar over our city’s 77 neighborhoods with Flyover Chicago

Experience the city of Chicago from a soaring seagull’s perspective with Flyover Chicago, the city’s latest family-friendly attraction. The signature Flyover experience, Believe Chicago, highlights the vibrant tapestry of the city by combining state-of-the-art technology, a giant 65″ spherical screen, and realistic flight motion for a unique virtual reality experience that soars over the city. Check in for your ‘flight’ over Chicago at Navy Pier, Flyover’s home base.

Explore more: While you’re at Navy Pier, don’t miss Illuminarium, a brand new multi-sensory experience that takes guests to the moon, an African safari, and beyond.

Earn your Junior Park Ranger Badge at Pullman National Historic Park

Summer is the perfect time to explore the historic Pullman National Historic Park, Chicago’s one and only national monument. Pullman stands as the first model, planned industrial community in the United States, and was the backdrop for the historic 1894 Pullman strike. Kids can complete fun (and educational!) activities to receive an official Pullman Junior Ranger badge. Don’t miss Pullman Railroad Days on June 1 and 2, when visitors can step abroad real historic railcars.

See the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

This summer, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is bringing a little bit of space to Chicago with the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft. After serving a pivotal role in two SpaceX missions supplying the International Space Station with cargo, the rocket will land in its permanent home, the museum’s newly renovated Henry Crown Space Center. The new exhibit will showcase the Dragon spacecraft alongside artifacts like the Apollo 8 Command Module and a biofeedback belt worn by astronaut Mae Jemison.

Celebrate nature at the Garfield Park Conservatory

The Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago is a lush, green sanctuary that offers a variety of family-friendly activities and educational programs throughout the year. With its interactive Play and Grow Garden, and stunning green spaces filled with exotic, fascinating flora, it’s a place where imagination and nature intersect and an ideal destination for kids to explore, learn, and have fun amidst nature. Wild Wednesdays are back for the summer season: Pop into the museum with your little ones for free, drop-in activities, such as fort building, bug hunts, chalk drawing, and more, every Wednesday evening.

Get up close and personal with penguins at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Have you ever dreamed of mixing and mingling with a colony of African penguins? Waddle on over to Lincoln Park Zoo‘s Penguin Cove for the hourlong Penguin Encounter experience: Participants will have the chance to go behind the scenes and step into the penguin habitat to meet and greet the cute penguins. Up to eight guests can participate in each experience, and guests must be at least six years old. Encounters begin May 17 and run through Oct. 27.

Cruise Lake Michigan on a lightning-fast speedboat

Catch some waves as you learn more about our beautiful city, which simply shines in the summertime. The Chicago Seadog Extreme Thrill Ride speeds along the lakefront, then zips down the Chicago River, making it the city’s fastest and most thrilling boat cruise. Buckle up and get ready for some twists, turns, and splashes as you take in unforgettable views of the city skyline.

Paddle the Chicago River in a kayak

Set off on an urban adventure in a single or double kayak and paddle your way down the scenic Chicago River: Kayak Chicago offers kayak rentals, guided tours and group instruction for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. Kids are welcome, too, and can ride in a double kayak with an adult; kids ages 12+ paddle their own kayak, making it the perfect summertime excursion for teens and tweens.

Experience a one-of-a-kind circus extravaganza

Teatro ZinZanni combines cirque, comedy, cabaret, spectacle, and live music with a multi-course family feast to remember. The theatre, situated on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel in the Loop, is an intimate space, so your family can marvel at the extreme stunts and skills of the rotating cast of world class performers — aerial artists and contortionists to comedians and singers, all backed up with a live orchestra!

Cheer on racing dragon boats in Chinatown

Every summer, Chicago’s Chinatown embraces a tradition over 2,000 years old: dragon boat racing! Cheer on over thirty dragon boat teams as they race down the Chicago River during the annual Dragon Boat Race for Literacy on Saturday, June 22. The center of the activities will be Ping Tom Park, which will be hosting children’s activities, vendor booths, and entertainment programming throughout the day. All proceeds benefit local literacy organizations.

Turn your eyes to the sky during the Chicago Air and Water Show

This year’s Chicago Air and Water Show will take over the skies above the lakefront on Aug. 10 and 11, with practice runs on Aug. 9. The best spot to catch these aerial artists in action on the ground is along the lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue. For a bird’s eye view, zoom up to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, where the 360 CHICAGO observation deck offers panoramas of the elite air show that unfolds in the skies above Lake Michigan.

Spend a day at the beach

Chicago’s lakefront spans 28 miles, and its beaches are always free and open to the public. At North Avenue Beach, one of the city’s most popular beaches, you can rent a paddleboard, kayak, or jet ski. Oak Street Beach, located just off the Mag Mile, offers prime people watching. In Hyde Park, 57th Street Beach’s wide stretch of sand is made for building sandcastles, and the beachfront Tasty Grill offers a Mexican menu along with hot dogs, perfect for a picnic. Check out our guide to Chicago beaches to find the best beach fit for your family.