Lakefront and Downtown
As you work your way from the bustling center toward vast Lake Michigan, the City of the Big Shoulders (a nickname taken from Carl Sandburg's industrial poetry) becomes more fitting for the small-shouldered set. Iconic skyscrapers by Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe give way to green spaces and miles of shoreline, and in the summer, Chicago's lakefront becomes a hotbed of outdoor activities: biking, swimming, sunning, people-watching. At the popular Navy Pier, check out the 150-foot Ferris wheel (a tribute to the first ever, unveiled at the city's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition), which offers unbeatable views of the lake and downtown. Pack an epicurean picnic (try Fox & Obel at 401 East Illinois Street, 312-410-7301), and head north along the lake for a lively beach scene, or south for more kid-friendly museums. For design enthusiasts, Millennium Park—the city's most triumphant public space—is a required stop.
Eat
Gold Coast Dogs
This hot-dog shop serves 'em up Chicago-style: an all-beef Vienna hot dog topped with mustard, pickle relish, onion, hot peppers, tomato, a pickle spear, and celery salt.
159 N. Wabash Ave., (312) 917-1677
At chef Shawn McClain's new venture, artisanal meats delight adults, while mini organic steaks and simple cheese risotto appeal to tiny taste buds.
500 S. Dearborn St., (312) 523-0200
Shop
Galt Toys + Galt Baby
This U.K.–based educational company sells classic wooden toys, giant floor puzzles, and chunky wooden robots.
900 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 440-9550
A modern, kooky array of children's books, toys, tableware, and tees featuring slogans like
220 E. Chicago Ave., (312) 280-2660; closed Mondays and admission is free on Tuesdays
Do
Millennium Park
This 24½-acre park is the indisputable jewel of the city. Kids can play in the water spouting from the Crown Fountain towers, 50-foot glass walls featuring video projections of Chicagoans (the water is turned off in winter); adults will love the Frank Gehry–designed music pavilion.
Michigan Ave. and Randolph St., (312) 742-1168
Visit the Dinosaur Expedition exhibit, which lets kids crawl around and dig for fossils in an imitation excavation pit.
700 E. Grand Ave., (312) 527-1000; admission is free the first Monday of every month
Rent a bike (or one of those clunky four-person pedal carts) at Millennium Park or Navy Pier to explore the Lake Michigan shore.
Next Page: Chicago Guide: Lincoln Park
