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Teenagers can never be bored in Chicago area because of its multitude of attractions, events, best restaurants, tours, and recreational activities.

Both resident and visiting teens will find that Chi-town offers them a long list of interesting and exciting activities all year-round that will keep them busy whether enjoyed alone, with friends, or with family. Explore Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, and enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Visiting Chicago with teens: top things to do

Attend A Sporting Event For A Great Time

Sports enthusiasts probably know that seven professional sports teams call Chicago home. Some of these teams are basketball’s Chicago Bulls; football’s Chicago Bears and baseball’s Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Teens can cheer on their favorite basketball players as NBA teams battle at the United Center. Watch the Bears run and tackle at Soldier Field. Major League Baseball fans can see the Cubs play a game of ball at historic Wrigley Field.

Take Classes At Beverly Arts Center

The Beverly Arts Center is a not-for-profit cultural and educational institution founded in 1968. The center’s school of the arts offers more than 125 classes all year round. Teens can enroll in private or group lessons at all levels of dance, music, theater, and improv comedy, and they can perform on stage. Visual arts, ceramics, and literary arts classes are also offered.

Watching music, theater, and dance performances and viewing art exhibits are some of the other activities that teens will enjoy at the Beverly Arts Center. The entrance is open daily with varying admission and class fees. Admission to galleries is free.

Exploring The Museum Of Science And Industry Is One Of The Best Things To Do

The Museum of Science and Industry is home to more than 35,000 artifacts in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and medicine and over 14 acres of interactive exhibits. It is the largest science museum in the western hemisphere. Teens and also little kids can explore the museum’s many permanent and temporary exhibits including “The Coal Mine,” where they can descend into an Illinois mine, and “Science Storms,” where teens can experience and learn about some of nature’s phenomena.

Educational programs are also offered through student learning labs, special tours, after-school science clubs, teen volunteer programs, teacher development classes, and community outreach programs. It is open daily except for December 25th.

Gardens For A Good Time And A Unique Experience

The Chicago Botanic Garden, home to numerous plant collections including specialty plants, offers free admission every day. Your kids may be particularly interested in the Garfield Park Conservatory’s children’s garden but can also participate in weekend activities, crafts, and an origami open house on the second Saturday of each month, all free. The free Lincoln Park Conservatory in Lincoln Park has exotic plants you can view and also functions as a supplier of the plants used by Chicagoís parks.

Art And Architecture And Popular Attractions

Chicago is home to numerous art and architecture venues, several of which do not charge admission fees. Of course, an easy way for you to take in Chicagoís unique architecture is to just walk around and look up. You can obtain more detailed information at the Chicago Architecture Foundationís ArchiCenter.

Kids interested in art may enjoy the National Museum of Mexican Art, Oriental Institute, Southside Community Arts Center, Gallery 37, City Gallery at Water Tower, Hyde Park Art Center, Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Smart Museum of Art. You can view other public art pieces and sculptures also by simply walking through downtown Chicago.

Kids who like both art and architecture may enjoy visiting the free Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows located on Navy Pier, an architectural attraction on its own.

A Zoo Is A Great Place To Have So Much Fun

Lincoln Park Zoo offers free admission to view its large collection of animals, including African animals, bears, birds, penguins, primates, lions, sea lions, small mammals, reptiles, antelope, zebra, and farm animals. Navy Pier holds the Chicago Childrenís Museum which offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

You can access a list of attractions offering free admission on the Choose Chicago Free Everyday Attractions and Free Museum and Attraction Days web pages. Museums usually charge admission you can visit for free on certain days of the week or throughout the year including the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and Shedd Aquarium.

Parks And Outdoors Filled With Fun Things In The Warmer Months

Millennium Park is a relatively new space built to replace an old rail yard along Lake Michigan and offers many things to see including a large concert pavilion, interactive fountains, and sculptures, including the ìbeanî which reflects the cityís skyline. In addition to these permanent attractions, the public parks also holds free family festivals every day.

At Navy Pier, you can bike or rollerblade around the outside of the complex, listen to a live music concert, live performances, watch boats on the lake, shop, or visit one of its museums and other indoor attractions. Chicago’s other parks along Lake Michigan provide walking trails, benches, gardens, fountains, and beach access.

Events In The Windy City For A Family Vacation

In addition to its numerous free attractions, this fun place called Chicago also hosts many free events and fun activities throughout the year. Around the winter months and holidays, families can watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, lighting ceremony at Daley Plaza and make crafts, see live animals and ice sculptures at Polar Adventure Days. You can find a list of Chicago’s summer festivals on Metromix Chicago’s ‘Chicago Festival Guide‘ which includes movies in parks, craft, and food fairs, international and music festivals, and art shows as well as an air and water show.

Final Thoughts

Chicago, Illinois, is perhaps one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the United States. The city offers an abundance of free events and attractions for older kids and families. Many of its attractions for the whole family, if not free every day, have opportunities to visit gratis on one of their numerous ìfree days.î The Choose Chicago and Metromix Chicago websites may help you locate information regarding additional Chicago attractions and events for people of all ages.

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