With spring coming, now is the time to start looking at family trips. If your family is planning a trip to Chicago, consider booking the Lang House Chicago or the Emil Bach House in the Rogers Park neighborhood and experience what it’s like to live like a local. Below are area activities and suggestions to help make your Chicago vacation memorable!
Go on a Neighborhood Art Walk
Want to inspire your creative thinking during your Chicago getaway? The Rogers Park Business Alliance provides two neighborhood art walks, with the first one starting just a 2-minute walk away at Jarvis Square (W. Jarvis Ave. and N. Greenview Ave). These self-guided Art walks are a great way to experience one of Chicago’s great neighborhoods. Check out the Art Walk options the Rogers Park Business Alliance has created.
Bike Around the Town: Rent a Divvy
Chicago’s public Divvy bike rental program is popular with locals and tourists. There are designated bike lanes on several streets as well as the scenic Chicago lakefront path. Rent your Divvy at Greenview Ave & Jarvis Ave (5 min walk) and use Google Maps for bike directions to your destination. Some fun routes to consider:
1. Take the family to the lakefront path (set Google Maps for the Lakefront Trail Start). You can bike along the path as far as you choose. For amazing city views, follow directions to the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. You can dock your Divvy bikes at the sanctuary, explore the sanctuary walking paths, or just sit back and enjoy the skyline.
2. Bike up to Andersonville, which has the ultimate kid-friendly combo of George’s Ice Cream and Sweets (5306 N. Clark St.) and the hidden Alley Cat Comics (5304 N. Clark St.). Tip: there’s a hidden outdoor patio for George’s; purchase your ice cream and go to the back of the shop, where you’ll find a door to the patio. Your table will be right in front of Alley Cat Comics, which you can wander through after you’ve devoured your treats. Andersonville also has the Brunk Children’s Museum within The Swedish American Museum just a block away on Clark Street.
Go to a Cubs Game or Explore Wrigleyville
What’s a trip to Chicago without a family picture in front of Wrigley Field? Walk 5 minutes to the Jarvis Red Line stop. Take the train southbound to Addison (20 min ride) and you’ll be right at the front steps of the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Wrigleyville has several fun restaurants and places for kids, including Lucky Strike ( 1027 W. Addison) and Sluggers (3540 N Clark St). Lucky Strike is 30,000 square feet family fun, with two video walls, 4k screens, over 100 arcade games, bowling, and family-friendly food. The Sluggers game room features batting cages, skee-ball, air hockey, pop-a-shot electronic basketball, pinball, virtual driving games, and multiple other video games.
Frolic at the Beach
The Lang House Chicago and Emil Bach House are just steps away from beautiful Lake Michigan! Jarvis Beach (1208 W Jarvis Ave) is a 3-minute walk, making it easy to visit several times throughout your stay. If you want the ultimate family-friendly combination of a park and the beach, further down the shoreline is Leone Beach Park (1222 W. Touhy Ave); while it’s only a 7-minute stroll, there is a spacious parking lot next to the park if you prefer to drive.
For more Chicago family activities and recommendations, talk to our knowledgeable staff at the Lang House Chicago or Emily Bach House. Our hospitality team can provide unique suggestions suited to the visitors in your party.
