The Best Children's Museums in Chicago

Kid's Museums in the Chicago Area

Chicago is a great place to visit with kids, and the number of family-friendly activities around town will surprise you. A number of children's museums can be found in Chicago, and we've listed them here. The most famous is perhaps the Chicago Children's Museum located at the Navy Yard. It's a great place to visit, especially with other family-friendly activities at that same location. However, don't miss out on the other spots around Chicago, too, as you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Chicago Sports Museum
This interactive museum is perfect for kids and adults who love sports. It's a high tech museum that lets you test your skills against some of the best athletes of all time including Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. There are simulators that let you drive a high-octane race car and virtual reality games that let you go up against some of the greats.
835 N Michigan Ave, The Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL, 60611
Fox River Trolley Museum
This railroad museum is located in South Elgin, and it has a special focus on trolleys, street cars, and other commuter trains. Visitors can board and see a variety of historic trolley and passenger trains from various periods in history. It's also possible to take a ride on their tracks in one of the historic trains. With seasonal events throughout the year and during the holidays, this is a fun place to visit for the while family.
365 S La Fox St, South Elgin, Illinois
Chicago has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: The Best Beaches Near Chicago and The Best Things to do in Chicago with Kids.
Chicago Children’s Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum is a world class kid's museum located at Navy Pier. With a Tinkering Lab, WaterWay playground, and the Treehouse Trails, kids can play, build, explore and immerse themselves in a world of imagination. These exhibits are perfect for young kids whose imagination guides their play, and exploration is how they learn.
700 E Grand Ave, Streeterville, Chicago, IL, 60611
Illinois Railway Museum
Located in the suburbs of northwestern Chicago, this fantastic railroad museum features locomotives and train cars from a variety of historic eras in railroading. Children and adults like enjoy this museum as you can see and get on many of the exhibits.
7000 Olson Road, Union, Illinois, 60180
Bronzeville Children’s Museum
Bronzeville Children’s Museum is the first African American children’s museum in the United States. This unique museum takes visitors on a guided tour through a number of hands-on, interactive exhibits. There are a variety of kid-friendly exhibits including "You Are What You Eat", and the African American Inventors tour. This museum is great for kids between the ages of 3 and 9.
9301 S Stony Island Ave, Bronzeville, Chicago, IL, 60617
How much does it cost?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $21 to $80. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $53. A few of the best options are below.

Where to Stay in Chicago

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