Our Favorite Chicagoland Field Trips
I have now lived in the Chicagoland area for about 13 years, and I’d love to share with you today about 5 of our favorite Chicagoland field trips. Each of the following will take you to links of LOTS of pictures and fun that we’ve had on these field trips. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to try these out!
Kohl Children’s Museum:
All my kids 9 and under LOVE this place! There is a wide variety of hands-on activities, from dressing up to science to art.
http://ichoosejoy.org/2013/04/26/from-house-to-home-link-party-childrens-museum-godspell-promo/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2012/11/17/collage-friday-no-regrets-occ-childrens-museum/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2008/11/03/fun-with-my-mom/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2007/09/21/kohl-children039s-museum/
Shedd Aquarium:
If you love ocean animals, you’ll love the Shedd in downtown Chicago (on Lake Michigan). The beluga whales are one of my favorite exhibits there.
http://ichoosejoy.org/2009/09/10/my-baby-is-1-year-old/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2009/04/29/field-trips/
Chicago Botanic Gardens:
Here’s a free one (although they do charge for parking). The gardens are so huge, we never get through them all in a day.
http://ichoosejoy.org/2012/09/06/august-field-trip-botanic-gardens/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2013/05/10/from-house-to-home-link-party-fun-from-flat-stanley/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2013/05/02/from-house-to-home-link-party-botanic-gardens/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2010/06/10/botanic-gardens/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2008/05/20/gardens/
Milwaukee Zoo:
Even though Chicago has several great zoos, I always decide I like the Milwaukee Zoo better. It’s still the same driving distance for us.
http://ichoosejoy.org/2012/05/03/zoo-and-other-pictures/
http://ichoosejoy.org/2011/09/09/zoo-time/
Field Museum:
My oldest son said this was his favorite field trip. You’ll find “Sue” in the lobby–the largest T-Rex skeleton. There are “stuffed” animals of all types, different exhibits on various cultures, rocks and minerals, and so much more. Think “Night at the Museum” to get an idea of what you might find here. 🙂 Just be aware of the obvious pro-evolutionary leanings of the entire museum.
http://ichoosejoy.org/2008/04/26/pictures-from-field-museum/
Other Chicagoland Field Trips
Here are some other Field Trips we’d recommend:
- Grayslake Recycling Center
- Long Grove Confectionary (Chocolate Factory) Tour
- Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
- Old World Wisconsin
- Morton Arboretum
- and
Adler Planetarium:
Related Posts:
- Field Trip to The Grove Log Cabin in Glenview, IL
- Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL
- “The Passenger” Chicago Lyric Opera
- Cantigny Tank Park and First Division Museum
- Chicago Botanic Gardens
Although I grew up in California my grandmother lived in Chicago. We went every summer for about a month and I have so many fond memories of the Field Museum as well as other attractions in Chicago. I just remember standing in awe and looking at all the exhibits. Such great memories!!
I love it!
Chicago is really a neat city to visit. I just don’t like driving there, so we don’t go as often as we might. 🙂
–Gena
My kids always had a blast at the Morton Arboretum. If you consider Milwaukee “Chicagoland” I highly recommend the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Milwaukee Discovery Museum. 🙂
We love the Morton Arboretum, too. The Children’s Garden there is so cool! We’ll have to try those Milwaukee museums. Thanks!
–Gena
How fun! So many amazing things to see and do in Chicagoland. We’ve been to some of these attractions, but not all. Hope to visit them one day. Thanks for your reviews!