15 Things To Know About City Parenting in Chicago
Joanna & Aaron baum
Penelope, 3
Baby-on-the-way
Chicago, IL
@feathersandnoise
5 things you love about being a parent in Chicago
Always something to do-we step outside our door and we are in the thick of the action.
Great food scene-for adults and kids.
Plenty of students for babysitting -we live in the middle of a bunch of universities and colleges so a steady sitter stream!
The lake is always a great default in the warmer months -you ALMOST forget about the winter months...
Great bike paths -we love going on family bike rides and there are a lot throughout the city.
4 Places you love taking your kids too
Shedd Aquarium -You could spend weeks in here. It's one of the world's largest indoor aquariums.
Maggie Daley Park- it may be the best in the world. Climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, tunnels built into the landscape.. it rocks.
Summer and Fall Street Festivals - Chicago is known for having some of the best street festivals and one of our favorites is the Fulton Market Harvest Festival.
Lincoln Park Zoo - It’s amazing and FREE!
3 things you dislike about being a parent in Chicago
Overcrowded events. I would love to do the Air and Water show with my daughter every year but getting near the lake for that event is BANANAS.
Schools- Public Schools are hard to find and hard to get into. Chicago doesn't have a great public school reputation.
The CTA stations- this is our public transportation stystem and it's not vast enough or stroller friendly enough.
Mott street
2 of your favorite places to eat
***only two?!??!
Mott Street- An Asian-inspired place in Wicker Park that is TO-DIE-FOR
Small Cheval- A retro-styled burger joint that will make you question every other burger you've had in your life.
1 Item you cannot live without
Instacart - Delivered Groceries! Hellloooooooo!? It remembers my last orders (even my kids favorite snacks and milk)