Fun for the Whole Family in Chicago
Updated: Sep 5
If it feels like the Hilton Chicago is having an it girl moment on the conference circuit, you’re not wrong. The Michigan Avenue hotel, conveniently located on Chicago’s South Loop, has seemingly been scheduled wall-to-wall with conferences, conventions, and more. And it’s no wonder: The location facing Grant Park and Michigan Lake is ideal; it’s only a 10-minute walk to the Art Institute of Chicago or the internationally recognized Field Museum. And with more than 234,000 square feet of dedicated meeting, exhibition, and banquet space, it’s considered the preeminent convention space.
It’s also kid-friendly, so if you’re thinking about testing the waters by bringing your family along for a conference week here, it just may be your best bet.
Tip: If you're considering taking your family with you to a conference, planning ahead goes a long way.
Here are nearby experiences to consider with the family:
Maggie Daley Park (5–10-minute walk): Considered one the best parks in the country for children, Maggie Daley Park features massive play gardens, climbing walls, miniature golf, and a skating ribbon in the winter.
Museum Campus (10–15-minute walk): It’s an easy walk to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium. We’re particularly excited about the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at the Field Museum; kids can compare Pokémon fossils to real ones, including the one-and-only Sue the T. rex.
Grant Park & Buckingham Fountain: Directly across Michigan Avenue, the park gives kids plenty of open green space to run around right outside the front doors.
Navy Pier: You’ll likely want to Uber or prepare for a longer walk to Navy Pier, but it’s worth short drive to experience the Chicago’s Children Museum (highlights for kids 0–10 include a climbing structure and dinosaur bone dig), 200-foot Centennial Ferris wheel (enjoy 360-degree views of the city and lake any time of year), 4D immersive FlyOver Chicago, and the Butterfly House. You can learn more about all of the Navy Pier offerings here.
