To Daniel and Chiara, with love. A.B. To Max and Vincent, my nephews who seem to always be seeking adventure. We have a big list of places to hit up next time you visit! S.I.
© Emons Verlag GmbH All rights reserved © Photographs by Susie Inverso, except: Ape Cognition Care Time (ch. 5): Todd Rosenberg Photography; Blue Island Brewmasters (ch. 13): Joyce Sheldon; Children's Afternoon Tea (ch. 19): Pavilion at The Langham,Chicago; Method Soap Factory (ch. 65): method; Midnight Circus (ch. 66): Sharon Gaietto; Night at the Museum, Aquarium, or Zoo (ch. 73): Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; Perry Mastodon (ch. 80): Wheaton College; Surf Lake Michigan (ch. 95): Michelle Nozykowski; Thorne M iniature Rooms (ch. 101): The Art Institute of Chicago; Windy City Rollers (ch 108): Steve Jurkovic; Willowbrook Wildlife Center (ch. 107): Willowbrook Wildlife Center © Cover motif: shutterstock.com/Dan Thornberg; Tupungato; Konstantin L; Maria Burmistrova; Vereshchagin Dmitry; Joe Hendrickson Edited by Karen E. Seiger Layout: Editorial Design & Artdirection, Conny Laue, Bochum, based on a design by Lübbeke | Naumann | Thoben and Nina Schäfer Maps: altancicek.design, www.altancicek.de Basic cartographical information from Openstreetmap, © OpenStreetMap-Mitwirkende, ODbL Printing and binding: Grafisches Centrum Cuno, Calbe Printed in Germany 2019 ISBN 978-3-7408-0599-9 First edition Did you enjoy this guidebook? Would you like to see more? Join us in uncovering new places around the world at: www.111places.com
foreword Can you imagine a wonderland where you can... Visit a mermaid who washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan? Play with a ghost in a graveyard? Kiss a beluga whale? Well, guess what? You can have all of these amazing experiences right here in Chicago! Have you ever chatted with (animatronic) former Mayor Harold Washington? Sat in on a gorilla cognitive therapy session? Hand fed a kale salad to a giraffe? Walked a labyrinth? Cheered on a baseball game... that plays according to the rules of 1800? Have you ever floated under fireworks? Stepped inside a Chicago-style movable bridge? Zoomed up above the skyscrapers in a helicopter? This guidebook is your chance to explore our great city with your favorite kids in tow. I’ve carefully honed a bucket list of 111 fascinating experiences that will engage curious kids of all ages, including those of you who are kids at heart. As I researched this book, I came across several staggering statistics. Kids today spend an average of six hours per day staring at electronic devices. Parents spend more than nine hours a day with their faces directed towards a screen. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that overuse of digital media and screens can put children and teens at risk of obesity, sleep problems, cyberbullying, and underperforming at school. Childhood is fleeting. The days are long but the years are short, so the saying goes. In the blink of an eye, your kids will be heading off into this great big world on adventures of their very own. This book is my invitation to kids and parents to get off the screens and into the great outdoors, where the history and culture of our great city, as well as fun adventures galore, are just waiting to be discovered. A.B.
To Daniel and Chiara, with love. A.B. To Max and Vincent, my nephews who seem to always be seeking adventure. We have a big list of places to hit up next time you visit! S.I.
© Emons Verlag GmbH All rights reserved © Photographs by Susie Inverso, except: Ape Cognition Care Time (ch. 5): Todd Rosenberg Photography; Blue Island Brewmasters (ch. 13): Joyce Sheldon; Children's Afternoon Tea (ch. 19): Pavilion at The Langham,Chicago; Method Soap Factory (ch. 65): method; Midnight Circus (ch. 66): Sharon Gaietto; Night at the Museum, Aquarium, or Zoo (ch. 73): Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; Perry Mastodon (ch. 80): Wheaton College; Surf Lake Michigan (ch. 95): Michelle Nozykowski; Thorne M iniature Rooms (ch. 101): The Art Institute of Chicago; Windy City Rollers (ch 108): Steve Jurkovic; Willowbrook Wildlife Center (ch. 107): Willowbrook Wildlife Center © Cover motif: shutterstock.com/Dan Thornberg; Tupungato; Konstantin L; Maria Burmistrova; Vereshchagin Dmitry; Joe Hendrickson Edited by Karen E. Seiger Layout: Editorial Design & Artdirection, Conny Laue, Bochum, based on a design by Lübbeke | Naumann | Thoben and Nina Schäfer Maps: altancicek.design, www.altancicek.de Basic cartographical information from Openstreetmap, © OpenStreetMap-Mitwirkende, ODbL Printing and binding: Grafisches Centrum Cuno, Calbe Printed in Germany 2019 ISBN 978-3-7408-0599-9 First edition Did you enjoy this guidebook? Would you like to see more? Join us in uncovering new places around the world at: www.111places.com
foreword Can you imagine a wonderland where you can... Visit a mermaid who washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan? Play with a ghost in a graveyard? Kiss a beluga whale? Well, guess what? You can have all of these amazing experiences right here in Chicago! Have you ever chatted with (animatronic) former Mayor Harold Washington? Sat in on a gorilla cognitive therapy session? Hand fed a kale salad to a giraffe? Walked a labyrinth? Cheered on a baseball game... that plays according to the rules of 1800? Have you ever floated under fireworks? Stepped inside a Chicago-style movable bridge? Zoomed up above the skyscrapers in a helicopter? This guidebook is your chance to explore our great city with your favorite kids in tow. I’ve carefully honed a bucket list of 111 fascinating experiences that will engage curious kids of all ages, including those of you who are kids at heart. As I researched this book, I came across several staggering statistics. Kids today spend an average of six hours per day staring at electronic devices. Parents spend more than nine hours a day with their faces directed towards a screen. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that overuse of digital media and screens can put children and teens at risk of obesity, sleep problems, cyberbullying, and underperforming at school. Childhood is fleeting. The days are long but the years are short, so the saying goes. In the blink of an eye, your kids will be heading off into this great big world on adventures of their very own. This book is my invitation to kids and parents to get off the screens and into the great outdoors, where the history and culture of our great city, as well as fun adventures galore, are just waiting to be discovered. A.B.
111 Places
19 _ Children’s Afternoon Tea
Feelin' fancy at the Langham Hotel | 46
20_ Cosmic Bowl
Bowl and glow at Waveland Bowl | 48
1_ Aji Ichiban
21 _ Cows on Parade
2_ American Science & Surplus
22_ Cricket Hill
3_ Ancient Egyptian Temple
23_ Crown Fountain
4_ Antique Elevator Ride
24_ CTA Holiday Train
5_ Ape Cognition Care Time
25_ Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop
6_ AquaMermaid
26_ David M. McKay Memorial Garden
7_ Bajiishka’ogaan Lodge
27_ Digital Youth Media Lab
8_ BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
28_ Don Churro
9_ Barrel of Monkeys
29_ Drag Queen Story Hour
Munchies paradise | 10
Gadgets, gizmos, whosits, and whatsits galore | 12 Move like an Egyptian | 14 Chicago’s oldest lifts at the Fine Arts Building | 16 Understanding our closest cousins | 18 Mermaid training academy for landlubbers | 20 Keepers of the fire | 22 Timeless temple | 24
That’s weird, Grandma | 26
Remaining free-range bovines of Chi-cow-go | 50 Kids and kites | 52 Chicago’s unofficial downtown water park | 54 Santa’s Chicago-style sleigh | 56 Hidden gems | 58
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? | 60 HOMAGO hub | 62
Churros + champurrado = a match made in heaven | 64 Express yourself | 66
10_ Belmont Feed and Seed
30_ Drake Family Skyscraper Gallery
11 _ Beluga Encounter
31 _ Dulcelandia
12_ Bike the Drive
32_ Elk Herd
13_ Blue Island Brewmasters Vintage Base Ball Club
33_ Fabyan Windmill
14_ Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration
34_ Fanny’s Bedroom
15 _ Cernan Space Center
35_ Fantasy Costumes
16_ Chicago from a Helicopter
36_ Filbert’s Soda Pop Factory
17_ Chicago Magic Lounge
37_ Fireworks Float
18_ Chicago River Bridge Lifts
38_ First Division Museum
The birds and the bees need to eat too | 28 Meet and greet with a sweet white whale | 30 Lake Shore Drive on two wheels | 32 Take me out to the old ball game | 34 In search of a better tomorrow | 36
Cosmic love across Earth and space | 38 Up, up, and away! | 40 Abracadabra! | 42
Look inside an engineering marvel | 44
Meet Chicago’s skyscrapers | 68 Piñata paradise | 70 Meet the Wapiti | 72
Riverbank idyll | 74 Glimpse into the life of a Gilded Age girl | 76 Embrace your inner character | 78 Sip the rainbow | 80
The best seat in the house | 82 Tank time at Cantigny Park | 84
111 Places
19 _ Children’s Afternoon Tea
Feelin' fancy at the Langham Hotel | 46
20_ Cosmic Bowl
Bowl and glow at Waveland Bowl | 48
1_ Aji Ichiban
21 _ Cows on Parade
2_ American Science & Surplus
22_ Cricket Hill
3_ Ancient Egyptian Temple
23_ Crown Fountain
4_ Antique Elevator Ride
24_ CTA Holiday Train
5_ Ape Cognition Care Time
25_ Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop
6_ AquaMermaid
26_ David M. McKay Memorial Garden
7_ Bajiishka’ogaan Lodge
27_ Digital Youth Media Lab
8_ BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
28_ Don Churro
9_ Barrel of Monkeys
29_ Drag Queen Story Hour
Munchies paradise | 10
Gadgets, gizmos, whosits, and whatsits galore | 12 Move like an Egyptian | 14 Chicago’s oldest lifts at the Fine Arts Building | 16 Understanding our closest cousins | 18 Mermaid training academy for landlubbers | 20 Keepers of the fire | 22 Timeless temple | 24
That’s weird, Grandma | 26
Remaining free-range bovines of Chi-cow-go | 50 Kids and kites | 52 Chicago’s unofficial downtown water park | 54 Santa’s Chicago-style sleigh | 56 Hidden gems | 58
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? | 60 HOMAGO hub | 62
Churros + champurrado = a match made in heaven | 64 Express yourself | 66
10_ Belmont Feed and Seed
30_ Drake Family Skyscraper Gallery
11 _ Beluga Encounter
31 _ Dulcelandia
12_ Bike the Drive
32_ Elk Herd
13_ Blue Island Brewmasters Vintage Base Ball Club
33_ Fabyan Windmill
14_ Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration
34_ Fanny’s Bedroom
15 _ Cernan Space Center
35_ Fantasy Costumes
16_ Chicago from a Helicopter
36_ Filbert’s Soda Pop Factory
17_ Chicago Magic Lounge
37_ Fireworks Float
18_ Chicago River Bridge Lifts
38_ First Division Museum
The birds and the bees need to eat too | 28 Meet and greet with a sweet white whale | 30 Lake Shore Drive on two wheels | 32 Take me out to the old ball game | 34 In search of a better tomorrow | 36
Cosmic love across Earth and space | 38 Up, up, and away! | 40 Abracadabra! | 42
Look inside an engineering marvel | 44
Meet Chicago’s skyscrapers | 68 Piñata paradise | 70 Meet the Wapiti | 72
Riverbank idyll | 74 Glimpse into the life of a Gilded Age girl | 76 Embrace your inner character | 78 Sip the rainbow | 80
The best seat in the house | 82 Tank time at Cantigny Park | 84
39_First Nations Garden
59_ Leaning Tower of Niles
40_Flykid Murals
60_ Lilacia Park
41_Galloping Ghost Arcade
61 _ Logan Boulevard Skate Park
42_The Garfield Central
62_ Maggie Daley Play Garden
43_Giraffe Feeding Experience
63_ Mario’s Italian Lemonade
44_Goat Chills
64_ McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant at Hamburger U.
45_Gospel Brunch
65_ Method Soap Factory
46_Graue Mill Museum
66_ Midnight Circus
47_Grave of Inez Clarke
67_ Mitsuwa Marketplace
48_Green Hairy Monster
68_ Mold-A-Rama
49_Grosse Point Lighthouse
69_ Molly’s Cupcakes
50_Halim Time & Glass Museum
70_ Money Museum
51 _Hand-Powered Trains
71 _ N. W. Harris Learning Collection
52_The Happy Apple Pie Shop
72_ Nichols Tower
53_Harold Washington Speaks
73_ Night at the Museum, Aquarium, or Zoo
54_Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s First Flight
74_ Noah’s Playground for Everyone
55_Junior Ranger Program
75_ North Park Nature Village Loop
56_Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center
76_ The Oracle of Bronzeville
57_Kitten Nursery
77_ Original Rainbow Cone
58_Labyrinth at Fourth Presbyterian Church
78_ Oz Park
Healing and hope in bloom | 86 You’re so fly | 88
Back to the ’80s | 90
All aboard this miniature railroad | 92 Beware of the 20-inch-long tongue | 94 Pastoral bliss at GlennArt Farm | 96 Feed your soul at the House of Blues | 98 There is a season (turn, turn, turn) | 100 Beware of wandering ghosts at Graceland Cemetery | 102 Guardian of the toys at the door | 104 Shine a little lighthouse light on me | 106 Where time keeps ticking beautifully by | 108 Loco for locomotives at Rehm Park | 110 Made with love | 112
The slow walk towards greatness | 114 Winged beauty | 116
Earn your badge at Pullman National Monument | 118 Dig for buried treasure like Indiana Jones | 120 Cuteness overload at the Windy Kitty | 122 It’s a-maze-ing | 124
La dolce vita... in Chicagoland | 126 Surround yourself with beauty | 128 The gnarliest park on the North Side | 130 The coolest park in the city | 132 Summertime’s classic curbside treat | 134
Trade your Big Mac for a Big McAloo Tikki | 136 See how it’s made | 138
Under the little big top in the parks | 140
Switch up your usual grocery shopping routine | 142 Vintage souvenirs, molded on the spot | 144 Stay and swing awhile | 146 Show me the money! | 148
Bring the museum home with you | 150 The original Sears (a.k.a. Willis) Tower | 152 Sleep with the fishes, T. rex, or live elephants. | 154 Everyone deserves to have fun | 156
Take a hike | 158
Gwendolyn Brooks’ outdoor office | 160 Feed your inner unicorn | 162 Over the rainbow | 164
39_First Nations Garden
59_ Leaning Tower of Niles
40_Flykid Murals
60_ Lilacia Park
41_Galloping Ghost Arcade
61 _ Logan Boulevard Skate Park
42_The Garfield Central
62_ Maggie Daley Play Garden
43_Giraffe Feeding Experience
63_ Mario’s Italian Lemonade
44_Goat Chills
64_ McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant at Hamburger U.
45_Gospel Brunch
65_ Method Soap Factory
46_Graue Mill Museum
66_ Midnight Circus
47_Grave of Inez Clarke
67_ Mitsuwa Marketplace
48_Green Hairy Monster
68_ Mold-A-Rama
49_Grosse Point Lighthouse
69_ Molly’s Cupcakes
50_Halim Time & Glass Museum
70_ Money Museum
51 _Hand-Powered Trains
71 _ N. W. Harris Learning Collection
52_The Happy Apple Pie Shop
72_ Nichols Tower
53_Harold Washington Speaks
73_ Night at the Museum, Aquarium, or Zoo
54_Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s First Flight
74_ Noah’s Playground for Everyone
55_Junior Ranger Program
75_ North Park Nature Village Loop
56_Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center
76_ The Oracle of Bronzeville
57_Kitten Nursery
77_ Original Rainbow Cone
58_Labyrinth at Fourth Presbyterian Church
78_ Oz Park
Healing and hope in bloom | 86 You’re so fly | 88
Back to the ’80s | 90
All aboard this miniature railroad | 92 Beware of the 20-inch-long tongue | 94 Pastoral bliss at GlennArt Farm | 96 Feed your soul at the House of Blues | 98 There is a season (turn, turn, turn) | 100 Beware of wandering ghosts at Graceland Cemetery | 102 Guardian of the toys at the door | 104 Shine a little lighthouse light on me | 106 Where time keeps ticking beautifully by | 108 Loco for locomotives at Rehm Park | 110 Made with love | 112
The slow walk towards greatness | 114 Winged beauty | 116
Earn your badge at Pullman National Monument | 118 Dig for buried treasure like Indiana Jones | 120 Cuteness overload at the Windy Kitty | 122 It’s a-maze-ing | 124
La dolce vita... in Chicagoland | 126 Surround yourself with beauty | 128 The gnarliest park on the North Side | 130 The coolest park in the city | 132 Summertime’s classic curbside treat | 134
Trade your Big Mac for a Big McAloo Tikki | 136 See how it’s made | 138
Under the little big top in the parks | 140
Switch up your usual grocery shopping routine | 142 Vintage souvenirs, molded on the spot | 144 Stay and swing awhile | 146 Show me the money! | 148
Bring the museum home with you | 150 The original Sears (a.k.a. Willis) Tower | 152 Sleep with the fishes, T. rex, or live elephants. | 154 Everyone deserves to have fun | 156
Take a hike | 158
Gwendolyn Brooks’ outdoor office | 160 Feed your inner unicorn | 162 Over the rainbow | 164
51_Hand-Powered Trains Loco for locomotives at Rehm Park
If you’ve got a kid on your hands who is loco for locomotives, choo choo on over to Rehm Park in suburban Oak Park, where kids are invited to ride the rails. Since 1960, kids have been chugging along the track of this charming park. Only these trains aren’t powered by steam or diesel: they’re hand powered. Hop aboard one of the many hand-powered engines and get cranking! Kids are welcome to blow off some steam and endlessly circle the 350-foot oval that winds around the playground via their personal, hand-cranked engine. The trains here are similar to handcars, once an essential part of railroad operations from about 1850 to around 1910 and used for track construction and maintenance. Tiny tots might need a push from Mom or Dad every now and then, but these train cars are easy to crank into motion. They’re also free of charge. Remember to take turns as they are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reserve some time to play at the playground. A play structure at the center of the park features a climbable spider web and a tot-sized slide. Rehm Park itself is a wonderful spot to while away an afternoon. Pack a picnic and spread a blanket under a tree for a cheap play date with your train-loving little ones. It may be difficult to tear them away after all that fun, but a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.
Tip: Visit Berwyn’s Toys & Trains,
with a family-owned toy and hobby shop oric model trains galore, located along hist Route 66 and housed in a former mid-century Chevy dealership. 110
Address 515 G arfield Street, O ak Park, IL 60304, +1 (7 08) 848-2929, pdop. org/parks-facilit ies/trains // Get ting there Blue Line to Oak Park // Hours Daily dawn – du sk, see website for train schedule // Age s 3+
51_Hand-Powered Trains Loco for locomotives at Rehm Park
If you’ve got a kid on your hands who is loco for locomotives, choo choo on over to Rehm Park in suburban Oak Park, where kids are invited to ride the rails. Since 1960, kids have been chugging along the track of this charming park. Only these trains aren’t powered by steam or diesel: they’re hand powered. Hop aboard one of the many hand-powered engines and get cranking! Kids are welcome to blow off some steam and endlessly circle the 350-foot oval that winds around the playground via their personal, hand-cranked engine. The trains here are similar to handcars, once an essential part of railroad operations from about 1850 to around 1910 and used for track construction and maintenance. Tiny tots might need a push from Mom or Dad every now and then, but these train cars are easy to crank into motion. They’re also free of charge. Remember to take turns as they are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reserve some time to play at the playground. A play structure at the center of the park features a climbable spider web and a tot-sized slide. Rehm Park itself is a wonderful spot to while away an afternoon. Pack a picnic and spread a blanket under a tree for a cheap play date with your train-loving little ones. It may be difficult to tear them away after all that fun, but a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.
Tip: Visit Berwyn’s Toys & Trains,
with a family-owned toy and hobby shop oric model trains galore, located along hist Route 66 and housed in a former mid-century Chevy dealership. 110
Address 515 G arfield Street, O ak Park, IL 60304, +1 (7 08) 848-2929, pdop. org/parks-facilit ies/trains // Get ting there Blue Line to Oak Park // Hours Daily dawn – du sk, see website for train schedule // Age s 3+
52_The Happy Apple Pie Shop Made with love
The Happy Apple Pie Shop serves up some of the most delicious pies in Chicagoland, with three extra added ingredients: a dash of kindness, a sprinkle of community spirit, and a whole lotta love. For owners Michelle Mascaro and Corynne Romine, their pie shop was a dream inspired by necessity. “As parents of a daughter who has an intellectual disability, we are painfully aware that there are far too few jobs available for people like her who want to work,” they explain on their website. People with disabilities who do find work are often hidden away in sheltered workshops even today. So Mascaro and Romine decided to try doing things differently. Instead of keeping people with disabilities out of the public eye, they chose to create a blended workplace. So when you visit, you will meet people with and without developmental and intellectual disabilities, all working together to serve up tasty treats. And that they do. The pies here may be even more delicious because they’re made with team spirit. Patrons can watch the magic, as you can see directly into the kitchen from the sales counter. Though it’s a small space, it is fully accessible, and there is room for everyone to stop, stay awhile, sip tea or coffee, and best of all, dig into a slice or two of pie. You'll find three pies on the menu each week (always apple plus two other fruit pies). The savory quiches and pot pies make it possible to enjoy lunch and dessert on the spot. Address 226 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60304, +1 (708) 606-0037, www.happyapplepie.com, happyapplepiemakers@gmail.com // Getting there Blue Line to Austin // Hours Tue – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm // Ages 3+
112
Tip: Galleries and
studios in the O ak Park Arts District op en their doors on the third Friday of each m onth with new exhibi tions.
52_The Happy Apple Pie Shop Made with love
The Happy Apple Pie Shop serves up some of the most delicious pies in Chicagoland, with three extra added ingredients: a dash of kindness, a sprinkle of community spirit, and a whole lotta love. For owners Michelle Mascaro and Corynne Romine, their pie shop was a dream inspired by necessity. “As parents of a daughter who has an intellectual disability, we are painfully aware that there are far too few jobs available for people like her who want to work,” they explain on their website. People with disabilities who do find work are often hidden away in sheltered workshops even today. So Mascaro and Romine decided to try doing things differently. Instead of keeping people with disabilities out of the public eye, they chose to create a blended workplace. So when you visit, you will meet people with and without developmental and intellectual disabilities, all working together to serve up tasty treats. And that they do. The pies here may be even more delicious because they’re made with team spirit. Patrons can watch the magic, as you can see directly into the kitchen from the sales counter. Though it’s a small space, it is fully accessible, and there is room for everyone to stop, stay awhile, sip tea or coffee, and best of all, dig into a slice or two of pie. You'll find three pies on the menu each week (always apple plus two other fruit pies). The savory quiches and pot pies make it possible to enjoy lunch and dessert on the spot. Address 226 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60304, +1 (708) 606-0037, www.happyapplepie.com, happyapplepiemakers@gmail.com // Getting there Blue Line to Austin // Hours Tue – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm // Ages 3+
112
Tip: Galleries and
studios in the O ak Park Arts District op en their doors on the third Friday of each m onth with new exhibi tions.
53
__
Harold Washington Speaks
The slow walk towards greatness
At Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African American History, a friendly face extends a robotic yet warm greeting to visitors at the center of the Slow Walk to Greatness exhibit. “Hi, I am Harold Washington and welcome to my office,” he graciously smiles behind the desk that he used while serving as a state representative in Springfield, Illinois. “This is the story of my time as a public servant, representing the good people of Illinois…” This isn’t the Harold Washington, lawyer, military veteran, and former Illinois state representative and senator, US congressman, and Chicago’s first black mayor. But it’s a pretty good likeness. The DuSable team hired animatronic engineering firm Life Formations to create this robotic version of the city’s beloved mayor. The animatronic Harold Washington comes alive with the touch of a button, sharing stories of his life, his service to our country, his mayoral campaign, and his biggest struggle ever: unifying the city. “Chicago is one city,” he famously said. “We shall work as one people for our common good and our common goals.” Born in Chicago and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood, the real Harold Washington was first elected as mayor in 1983. He’s best remembered for emphasizing fairness and empowering neighborhoods during his service to the city. Sadly, Washington suffered a heart attack and died while in office on November 25, 1987. He was especially fond of the wild parakeets that live in Washington Park. Address 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, +1 (773) 947-0600, www.dusablemuseum.org // Getting there Green Line to Cottage Grove // Hours Tue – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun noon – 5pm // Ages 3+
114
Tip: Extend learning with the DuSable
Museum’s outstanding lesson plans and worksheets covering topics that include African Women and the Origins of Mathematics, Women of the Civil War, and more, at www.dusablemuseum.org/lesson-plans.
53
__
Harold Washington Speaks
The slow walk towards greatness
At Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African American History, a friendly face extends a robotic yet warm greeting to visitors at the center of the Slow Walk to Greatness exhibit. “Hi, I am Harold Washington and welcome to my office,” he graciously smiles behind the desk that he used while serving as a state representative in Springfield, Illinois. “This is the story of my time as a public servant, representing the good people of Illinois…” This isn’t the Harold Washington, lawyer, military veteran, and former Illinois state representative and senator, US congressman, and Chicago’s first black mayor. But it’s a pretty good likeness. The DuSable team hired animatronic engineering firm Life Formations to create this robotic version of the city’s beloved mayor. The animatronic Harold Washington comes alive with the touch of a button, sharing stories of his life, his service to our country, his mayoral campaign, and his biggest struggle ever: unifying the city. “Chicago is one city,” he famously said. “We shall work as one people for our common good and our common goals.” Born in Chicago and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood, the real Harold Washington was first elected as mayor in 1983. He’s best remembered for emphasizing fairness and empowering neighborhoods during his service to the city. Sadly, Washington suffered a heart attack and died while in office on November 25, 1987. He was especially fond of the wild parakeets that live in Washington Park. Address 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, +1 (773) 947-0600, www.dusablemuseum.org // Getting there Green Line to Cottage Grove // Hours Tue – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun noon – 5pm // Ages 3+
114
Tip: Extend learning with the DuSable
Museum’s outstanding lesson plans and worksheets covering topics that include African Women and the Origins of Mathematics, Women of the Civil War, and more, at www.dusablemuseum.org/lesson-plans.
54_ Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s First Flight Winged beauty
Butterflies are the winged wonders of the natural world. Their four-stage life cycle transforms them from caterpillars to chrysalis to fluttering fantasies. It’s rare to watch a newly-emerged butterfly spread its wings and take flight for the very first time, but at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, guests can observe them in both their chrysalis and butterfly stages. Every day at 2pm, visitors gather in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven to see them spread their wings and flutter into the lush, tropical Haven for the first time. The Haven houses thousands of butterflies in its 2,700-square-foot greenhouse. You’ll find them flapping around the pools of water, tropical flowers, and trees. Learn about the life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly before you enter, and then catch them in their chrysalides upon exit. “With approximately 40 different species in the Haven at any given time, there’s always a new favorite butterfly to discover!” shares John Bannon, marketing manager at the museum. “Fan-favorites are the blue morpho butterfly, a charismatic butterfly with iridescent blue wings. These butterflies are seen soaring through the Butterfly Haven in small groups, as if playing a game of ‘follow the leader.’ You’ll find the rice paper butterfly, another large butterfly with translucent white wings and black markings resting on leaves soaking in the sun. The lacewing butterfly is also adored for its bright colors,” says Bannon. Address Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, +1 (773) 755-5100, www.naturemuseum.org // Getting there CTA bus 134, 143, 151 or 156 to Stockton & Arlington // Hours Butterfly Release daily 2pm, see website for museum hours // Ages 3+
116
Tip:
Head to the always-free Lincoln Park Conservatory, located just across from the Notebaert Nature Center, and see if you can spot the mini ladybug trolley that zips around through the ferns of the display house.
54_ Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s First Flight Winged beauty
Butterflies are the winged wonders of the natural world. Their four-stage life cycle transforms them from caterpillars to chrysalis to fluttering fantasies. It’s rare to watch a newly-emerged butterfly spread its wings and take flight for the very first time, but at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, guests can observe them in both their chrysalis and butterfly stages. Every day at 2pm, visitors gather in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven to see them spread their wings and flutter into the lush, tropical Haven for the first time. The Haven houses thousands of butterflies in its 2,700-square-foot greenhouse. You’ll find them flapping around the pools of water, tropical flowers, and trees. Learn about the life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly before you enter, and then catch them in their chrysalides upon exit. “With approximately 40 different species in the Haven at any given time, there’s always a new favorite butterfly to discover!” shares John Bannon, marketing manager at the museum. “Fan-favorites are the blue morpho butterfly, a charismatic butterfly with iridescent blue wings. These butterflies are seen soaring through the Butterfly Haven in small groups, as if playing a game of ‘follow the leader.’ You’ll find the rice paper butterfly, another large butterfly with translucent white wings and black markings resting on leaves soaking in the sun. The lacewing butterfly is also adored for its bright colors,” says Bannon. Address Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, +1 (773) 755-5100, www.naturemuseum.org // Getting there CTA bus 134, 143, 151 or 156 to Stockton & Arlington // Hours Butterfly Release daily 2pm, see website for museum hours // Ages 3+
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Tip:
Head to the always-free Lincoln Park Conservatory, located just across from the Notebaert Nature Center, and see if you can spot the mini ladybug trolley that zips around through the ferns of the display house.
55_ Junior Ranger Program
Earn your badge at Pullman National Monument
Who doesn’t dream of becoming a National Park Ranger, with their, broad-brimmed, high-crowned hats and unparalleled access to some of the most iconic historic and natural sites in the US? At Chicago’s Pullman National Monument, kids can now test their skills and take the oath to become an honorary Junior Ranger. If they pass the program successfully, they’ll even receive an official badge. The activity-based program is conducted in almost all national parks, historic sites, and monuments, so kids can start their collection in Chicago and gather unique badges as they travel across the US in search of ranger adventures. Pullman National Monument was designed as a planned utopia, where workers for the Palace Car Company, George Pullman’s railcar manufacturing company, which opened at the beginning of the mid19th century’s railway boom in the US, could both live and work. As you tour the key landmarks and factories of this planned industrial community, you’ll step back into a turbulent time in American history. To become a Pullman National Monument Park Ranger, kids can pick up the official 10-page booklet at the Visitor Center. Depending on age, kids will need to complete a certain number of booklet activities as they tour the key landmarks and factories here. Activities include an outdoor scavenger hunt and an artifact BINGO game that will require searching for components of a Pullman railway car. Upon completion of the activities, check in with a park ranger and take the oath to become an official Junior Ranger. Address 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628, +1 (773) 468-9310, www.nps.gov/pull // Getting there Metra ME to 111th Street/ Pullman or Kensington/115th Street // Hours Tue 11am – 3pm, Wed – Sun 9am – 5pm // Ages 5+
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Tip: Check out the children’s book
A Long Hard Journey: Th e Story of the Pullman Porter by Patric ia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack from your local librar y. It tells the sto ry of the Pullman porters, men hir ed to work on the railroads as porters on sleeping cars, many of whom were for mer slaves.
55_ Junior Ranger Program
Earn your badge at Pullman National Monument
Who doesn’t dream of becoming a National Park Ranger, with their, broad-brimmed, high-crowned hats and unparalleled access to some of the most iconic historic and natural sites in the US? At Chicago’s Pullman National Monument, kids can now test their skills and take the oath to become an honorary Junior Ranger. If they pass the program successfully, they’ll even receive an official badge. The activity-based program is conducted in almost all national parks, historic sites, and monuments, so kids can start their collection in Chicago and gather unique badges as they travel across the US in search of ranger adventures. Pullman National Monument was designed as a planned utopia, where workers for the Palace Car Company, George Pullman’s railcar manufacturing company, which opened at the beginning of the mid19th century’s railway boom in the US, could both live and work. As you tour the key landmarks and factories of this planned industrial community, you’ll step back into a turbulent time in American history. To become a Pullman National Monument Park Ranger, kids can pick up the official 10-page booklet at the Visitor Center. Depending on age, kids will need to complete a certain number of booklet activities as they tour the key landmarks and factories here. Activities include an outdoor scavenger hunt and an artifact BINGO game that will require searching for components of a Pullman railway car. Upon completion of the activities, check in with a park ranger and take the oath to become an official Junior Ranger. Address 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628, +1 (773) 468-9310, www.nps.gov/pull // Getting there Metra ME to 111th Street/ Pullman or Kensington/115th Street // Hours Tue 11am – 3pm, Wed – Sun 9am – 5pm // Ages 5+
118
Tip: Check out the children’s book
A Long Hard Journey: Th e Story of the Pullman Porter by Patric ia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack from your local librar y. It tells the sto ry of the Pullman porters, men hir ed to work on the railroads as porters on sleeping cars, many of whom were for mer slaves.
56_ Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center Dig for buried treasure like Indiana Jones
There’s no better place in the city to embrace your inner Indiana Jones. Located on the picture-perfect University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood, the intimate Oriental Institute makes for the perfect spot to introduce kids to the joys of archaeology. Founded in 1919 by Professor James Henry Breasted, who could have inspired the swashbuckling character of Indiana Jones, the intriguing collection includes a colossal 40-ton, human-headed, winged bull, a 17-foot-tall statue of King Tutankhamun, and several fascinating mummies. On the museum’s lower level, an (artificial) ancient tel, or mound, gives kids the chance to dig for buried treasures the scientific way. Part of the Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center, the tel replicates the Middle Eastern mounds where actual Oriental Institute archaeologists dig. You’ll have to register for a youth for family program – offered just about weekly throughout the year – to excavate this artifact-packed tel. Kids can expect to find oil lamps, jewelry, pottery shards, and human and animal figurines as they excavate the site using real tools and data-gathering techniques. Before you head into the galleries, pick up a Kid Brochure from the front desk: it will explain the most precious objects in the collection and bring their importance and history down to a kid’s level. Be sure to check out the museum’s collection of mummified small creatures, including a magnificent mummified lizard. Address 1155 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, +1 (773) 702-9514, oi.uchicago. edu/programs-events/youth-family-programs // Getting there Metra ME to University of Chicago/59th Street // Hours Tue – Sun 10am – 5pm // Ages 5+
120
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56_ Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center Dig for buried treasure like Indiana Jones
There’s no better place in the city to embrace your inner Indiana Jones. Located on the picture-perfect University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood, the intimate Oriental Institute makes for the perfect spot to introduce kids to the joys of archaeology. Founded in 1919 by Professor James Henry Breasted, who could have inspired the swashbuckling character of Indiana Jones, the intriguing collection includes a colossal 40-ton, human-headed, winged bull, a 17-foot-tall statue of King Tutankhamun, and several fascinating mummies. On the museum’s lower level, an (artificial) ancient tel, or mound, gives kids the chance to dig for buried treasures the scientific way. Part of the Kipper Family Archaeology Discovery Center, the tel replicates the Middle Eastern mounds where actual Oriental Institute archaeologists dig. You’ll have to register for a youth for family program – offered just about weekly throughout the year – to excavate this artifact-packed tel. Kids can expect to find oil lamps, jewelry, pottery shards, and human and animal figurines as they excavate the site using real tools and data-gathering techniques. Before you head into the galleries, pick up a Kid Brochure from the front desk: it will explain the most precious objects in the collection and bring their importance and history down to a kid’s level. Be sure to check out the museum’s collection of mummified small creatures, including a magnificent mummified lizard. Address 1155 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, +1 (773) 702-9514, oi.uchicago. edu/programs-events/youth-family-programs // Getting there Metra ME to University of Chicago/59th Street // Hours Tue – Sun 10am – 5pm // Ages 5+
120
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Authors Amy Bizzarri is a freelance travel writer focused on family, food, and fun, with a special interest in family adventure travel. A teacher with 20+ years of experience and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on bilingual education, Amy believes that learning is best accompanied by a big dose of fun. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her on her bicycle, exploring her beloved hometown city of Chicago with her two children. Susie Inverso has spent many years running around Chicago photographing the CTA pub lic transit system, and photographs weddings and portraits for her company, Crimson Cat Studios. When she’s not photographing trains, people, or pets, she plays the trumpet and guitar in various musical projects, and enjoys road trips with her husband, Justin. They live on the North Side with their two cats and box turtle.