Itinerary

Half a day with kids in the West Loop

A morning-and-early-afternoon sequence built around two kid-anchor destinations (Chicago Children's Theatre and WNDR Museum) and the West Loop's standout playground at Mary Bartelme Park. Pick the show times on Children's Theatre's calendar; the rest slots in around them.

For: Parents with school-age kids; works for ages 4–12.
Length: About 4 hours. · about 25 minutes of walking total

Stops

1. 1 Breakfast at Original Pancake House

   Family-style pancake institution on Washington — strollers welcome, kid menu.

   1124 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60607

2. ↓ 4-minute walk

   2 Morning show at Chicago Children's Theatre

   Year-round productions on South Racine, explicitly aimed at children — check the day's calendar.

   100-106 S Racine Ave 1-2, Chicago, IL, 60607

3. ↓ 11-minute walk

   3 Lunch at Italian Homemade Company

   Handmade pastas in a casual room — kid-tolerant, fast service.

   947 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL, 60607

4. ↓ 10-minute walk

   4 Afternoon at WNDR Museum

   Interactive art installations on Monroe — works well for school-age kids and up.

   1130 W Monroe St 1 and 2, Chicago, IL, 60607

Frequently asked questions

What about the parks?

Mary Bartelme Park (115 S Sangamon) has the standout enclosed children's playground with the stainless-steel mist arches. Skinner Park has organized-sports fields. Either fits between the show and lunch as a 30-minute stop.

What if it's raining?

See the /itineraries/rainy-day itinerary, which keeps you under roof. Children's Theatre, WNDR Museum, and the Chicago French Market are all covered.

Itinerary stops link through to each business's full page; walking times are computed at build time from coordinates. The /itineraries hub lists all available themed sequences.