What are some fun things to do while I’m in Chicago for the 2024 SADS Family Conference?

The group rates we’ve negotiated at the hotel – just $159 per night – are a great bargain, especially for such a fantastic hotel within walking distance of the conference. You can get these rates for three days before and three days after the conference, so you can make a vacation out of your visit.

Register and get these great hotel rates here: https://sads.org/get-involved/annual-conference/2024-international-conference/.

We picked a really fun location for this year’s conference! Here are a few ideas from our staff of what to do in Chicago:

  • Eat at many of the fantastic restaurants, including the ONLY restaurant in a department store – and, of course, try deep-dish Chicago pizza.
  • See The Bean in person at Millennium Park! 
  • Take a stroll along Navy Pier.
  • Visit the many museums – the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, just to name a few.
  • Have fun with animals at their iconic zoo and aquarium.

More ideas here: https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/bucket-list/the-ultimate-chicago-bucket-list/.

We’re also asking members of our SADS community who live in the Chicago area for some fun ideas.

Chicago Family Attractions (from Tim and his family)

  1. Choose Chicago: Chicago’s official tourism site  https://www.choosechicago.com.
  2. Chicago Cultural Center  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html
  3. City of Chicago Official Website: https://www.chicago.gov
  4. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): Public transportation https://www.transitchicago.com
  5. Explore Chicago Collection (Chicago Public Library): https://www.chipublib.org/explore-chicago

Family Attraction Information

  1. Lakefront Bike Trail: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/trails
  2. Millennium Park: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
  3. Maggie Daley Park: https://www.maggiedaleypark.com
  4. Shedd Aquarium: https://www.sheddaquarium.org
  5. Field Museum: https://www.fieldmuseum.org
  6. Adler Planetarium: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org
  7. Navy Pier: https://navypier.org
  8. Chicago Children’s Museum (Located at Navy Pier): https://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
  9. Lincoln Park Zoo: https://www.lpzoo.org
  10. Willis Tower Skydeck: https://theskydeck.com
  11. Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise (Boat Tour): https://www.architecture.org/tours/

If you have a suggestion of some fun activities to do in Chicago, leave a comment below!