Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Chicago
Summer in Chicago is the perfect time for families to reconnect and explore the outdoors while children are out of school. From sandy beaches and miles of lake-front trails to tree-lined parks and water-based outings, fun outdoor activities in Chicago are all around. Make The Peninsula Chicago your family’s home base during your next visit and find yourself in the heart of it all.
Maggie Daley Park
Named after longtime Chicago first lady Maggie C. Daley, Maggie Daley Park is an expansive recreational area for children and adults alike. Open daily, this park contains a variety of activities from a 3-acre Play Garden to Mini Golf and a Climbing Wall. One of the main attractions, The Ribbon, is a winding skating path with immersive views of the surrounding city. In the summer, The Ribbon can be accessed on rollerblades, roller skates or scooters; in the winter, it is transformed into an ice-skating adventure.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier has reopened to the public with its 50 acres of attractions and experiences. Whether your family is looking to take a leisurely stroll, dine outdoors, or cruise on the lake, Navy Pier has it all. For the adventurous type, take a ride on the iconic Centennial Wheel, soaring nearly 200 feet above the ground. For the foodies, enjoy 30 food and beverage options from grab-and-go to outdoor sit-down restaurants. If you are visiting during the summer, don’t miss the firework spectaculars on Wednesday and Saturday nights that illuminate the sky.
Lincoln Park Zoo
With free admission to the public, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a family-oriented wildlife experience in neighboring Lincoln Park. The zoo is home to nearly 200 species of animals and 1,200 species of plants from around the world. Lincoln Park Zoo is focused on animal care and welfare, conservation, and science. Open daily, the zoo is a great option for an outdoor family activity that is fun and educational for all ages.
Urban Kayaks
Searching for an adventurous outdoor family activity? Urban Kayaks offers guided kayak tours and rentals in two locations: the Chicago Riverwalk and Monroe Harbor. A popular tour is a “Historic Chicago Tour”, where a guide takes you along the Chicago River and shares details about Chicago’s historical locations. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Bobby’s Bike Hike – Chicago Bike, Walking & Food Tours
Looking to for an easy way to ensure you visit multiple Chicago cultural attractions? Bobby’s Bike Hike offers bicycle, walking and food tours around different neighborhoods of Chicago. There are specific family-friendly tours, including Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour and Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour. Plus, rest-assured that Chicago ranks as one of the top cities for walking and biking due to the network of sidewalks, trails, and flat land.
To further enhance your family vacation in Chicago, reserve our Camp Peninsula package complete with specially designed children’s amenities, daily breakfast for up to two adults and two children 12 and under, and more.