Navy Pier
Located in downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan, Navy Pier has plenty of entertainment for the whole family. There's the 7-minute ride on the 150-foot tall Ferris wheel, which was modeled after the first Ferris wheel built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Ferris wheel is open year-round. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater offers a variety of plays year-round with some suitable for all ages. Navy Pier even has two museums. The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows has 150 pieces, most of which were made in Chicago. Kids, meanwhile, can pretend they are driving a Chicago city bus at the Chicago Children's Museum. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Navy Pier has fireworks shows over Lake Michigan, accompanied by music every Wednesday and Saturday night. Also, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, adults can enjoy the beer garden, with live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Golfers of all ages can enjoy 18 holes of miniature golf on the pier as well.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 595-7437
http://www.navypier.com
Biking the Lakefront Trail
Families also can explore Chicago's lakefront by biking the 18-mile, paved lakefront trail, which runs from Hollywood Blvd. on the north end to 71st Street on the south end. The trail winds past North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, the John Hancock Center, Navy Pier, Grant Park and the Museum Campus in the South Loop. The ride offers dramatic views of the city's skyline. Golfers, meanwhile, can check out the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course on the north side of the trail and Jackson Park Golf Course near the south end of the trail. Bike Chicago offers bike rentals at several locations throughout the city.
Shedd Aquarium
Golfers who have animal lovers in their family should check out the Shedd Aquarium. Located in Chicago's Museum Campus, the Shedd houses beluga whales, blacktip reef sharks and both rock hopper and Magellanic penguins. Near the aquarium, The Green at Grant Park offers 18 holes of miniature golf the whole family can enjoy.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 939-2438
http://www.sheddaquarium.org
About The Author
Marci Shear has been a sports reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Shear has also written for several magazines, including Vineline and the Chicago Sports Review. In her 14-year career, Shear has covered high school sports, college football, basketball and major league baseball. She has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Chicago.
