This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own.
There are so many outdoor things to do in Chicago during the warm spring and summer months (that are coming eventually…I promise!) but I wanted to share some things you can do on a rainy day in Chicago. Whether you live in the city or are traveling to Chicago when rainy weather is expected, keep this list handy in case of bad weather in Chicago.
Challenge yourself in an escape room.
For a fun activity off the beaten path, grab some friends and try an escape room at Chicago’s Escape Reality (located at 158 W Erie St. 60654). Choose from six games, with different themes and levels of difficulty. Teams of 2-6 only have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape the room! Time’s ticking! (Cost: $32/player – fun for all ages but over reading age recommended.)
Visit a museum.
Chicago has a number of amazing museums, from well-known ones like the Museum of Science & Industry and the Field Museum to lesser known ones like the Money Museum and the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. Whatever your family is interested in you can probably find a museum that will capture their attention!
Try out a new pizza place.
One can’t visit Chicago without trying the pizza that our city is famous for! A rainy afternoon is the perfect time to taste test the many deep-dish pizzas that Chicago offers in order to pick your favorite.
Go shopping at Water Tower Place.
Chicago has plenty of stores on Michigan Avenue but our favorite place to shop in downtown Chicago is Water Tower Place. This eight-story mall has plenty to explore including kid favorites, the LEGO store and the American Girl doll store.
Go to a bookstore or coffee shop and read.
There’s nothing like curling up with a good book on a dreary day. Check out the assortment of books and magazines at a bookstore, buy one and then take it to a nearby coffee shop and read while you enjoy a cup of coffee.
Explore the underwater world.
The Shedd Aquarium is one of our favorite places to go downtown. Make sure to catch a dolphin show and pet the stingrays while you are there. Here are some of my other favorite things to do at the aquarium.
See a play at the theater.
Chicago may not have as many shows as Broadway in New York does but don’t count us out! Chicago has a hopping theater scene and a little culture might just be the cure to rainy day blues. And speaking of blue….try to catch a Blue Man Group performance while you are here, too!
Take a tour of the city.
Take a bus, trolley or boat tour of the city- just make sure you sit in the indoor section or wear a poncho to keep you dry. It’s always interesting to hear about the city from the tour guide and you learn a lot of history you never knew before.
Knock down some pins at the bowling alley.
A game or two of bowling is a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon and it’s something a whole family can do together. You may even be able to find a bowling alley with glow-in-the-dark bowling!
Enjoy your hotel’s indoor amenities.
If you are visiting, make sure to stay at a hotel with plenty of fun indoor amenities. We love this one that has an indoor basketball court!
What do you like. to do on rainy days in Chicago?
I’ve never been, but think I would like the Shedd Aquarium, for sure! Sounds like an awesome city!
The Shedd Aquarium is very cool and where we hung out in Chicago when it rained on us. I think everyone else in downtown was there too!
Oh yes! I love these ideas! Especially the city tour and museums and hey… grabbing a pizza! Now I need to plan a trip to Chicago!!
Escape rooms are right up my alley. I would love to check this one out. I haven’t had authentic Chicago pizza before. That will be a must if I am ever in Chicago.
My husband travels to Chicago a few times a year. I think it would be fun to tag along sometime to see the city.
Chicago is a great place to do family-friendly stuff rain or shine. All the activities you list would be a hit with my kids, especially that Escape Room which looks amazing!
These are great ideas and really fun! I’ll keep these in mind!