Exploring Chicago from A to Z

Caitlin Murray Giles - Chicago
May 30, 2012

Bring the ABCs to life for your little one! Explore all that Chicago has to offer families by checking these local adventures off your list. Starting with the letter A ...

Stargaze at the Adler Planetarium or scope out fish at the Shedd Aquarium.

Befriend bears, beavers, and even bugs at the Brookfield Zoo.

Play the day away at the Chicago Children's Museum located at Navy Pier.

Get schooled in African-American culture and history at the Dusable Museum of African American History.

Eat your way through an ethnic neighborhood (Chinatown or Greektown are perfect places to start).

Cheer on the Chicago Fire as they trample their soccer foes.

Get your fill of the good stuff at The Green City Market in Lincoln Park on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Hop aboard a CTA train or bus to take your little transportation enthusiast for a ride.

Ice skate in Millennium Park and marvel at the city skyline.

Stroll through the totally zen Japanese Gardens at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

Kick back and keep cool at a local pool.

Take advantage of all that Lake Michigan has to offer! Swim, splash, build a sand castle, or take a boat ride.

Visit the fabulous Museum of Science and Industry (and make sure you spend some time in the interactive Kid Works area).

Can't beat a morning at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, especially on Thursday when admission is free.

Catch a live performance to take a class at the Old Town School of Music.

Pile into the ol' family car for a day trip to nearby Wisconsin or Michigan.

Quiz your kid on some local history. (True or False: Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Chicago Fire?)

Take in an al fresco concert at the Ravinia Festival.

Splash in the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park!

Hail a taxi! (A must for any city kid.) 

Catch our beloved Bulls of Blackhawks in action at the United Center.

Visit the Art Institute (and be sure to stop into the free Ryan Education Center in the Modern Wing).

Wrigley Field, baby! No better way to spend a sunny, summer afternoon. 

Check out the new Xtreme BUG exhibit. Eek!

Yell, hoot, and holler from a rooftop at the Chicago Air and Water Show.

Indulge in a perfect family day at the Lincoln Park Zoo and adjacent Nature Boardwalk.