# Things to do with kids near Navy Pier Written 2026-10-16 by Play Day. What to do with kids at Navy Pier and within walking distance: the Children's Museum, Maggie Daley Park, the Crown Fountain, a river boat and deep-dish. See which have changing tables and stroller access before you go. Start on the pier. It's free to walk, the Chicago Children's Museum is right inside, and on warm days the fountain at the entrance is a splash pad. When the kids are done with the pier, head west toward Michigan Avenue and the river. Maggie Daley Park, the boats and the deep-dish places are all within about a mile of the entrance. ## On the pier ### [Chicago Children's Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/chicago-childrens-museum-navy-pier) Where: Navy Pier Indoors and right at the front of the pier, so it covers a rainy morning or a hot afternoon. There's a whole room set aside for babies and toddlers, which means the little one gets a turn too. - Free entry: No - Restroom: Yes - Changing table: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Navy Pier](https://ourplayday.com/places/navy-pier) Where: Navy Pier Walking the pier costs nothing. The paid rides are a classic carousel and the 200-foot Ferris wheel, and the fountain by the entrance turns into a splash pad in summer. Tip: Pack a towel and dry clothes from June on. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Changing table: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Bar Sol](https://ourplayday.com/places/bar-sol-navy-pier) Where: Navy Pier Latin-inspired seafood out at the far end of the pier, with a patio on the lake and a kids' menu. They take reservations, worth having on a summer weekend. - Changing table: Yes - Kids' menu: Yes - High chairs: Yes ## Playgrounds and fountains Everything from the Children's Museum to the river is close enough to walk with a stroller. ### [Maggie Daley Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/maggie-daley-park) Where: Loop Three acres of play: rope nets, a play ship and a splash pad in season, with two climbing walls next door and a skating ribbon that turns into a scooter path in summer. If you only do one playground near the pier, make it this one. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Millennium Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/millennium-park-chicago) Where: Loop The Bean, and right beside it the Crown Fountain, two towers that spray water onto a shallow plaza made for wading. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [McCormick Tribune Ice Rink](https://ourplayday.com/places/mccormick-tribune-ice-rink) Where: Loop The winter version of the fountain: a free outdoor rink at Millennium Park, with skate rentals and free lessons. - Free entry: Yes ### [Park No. 546](https://ourplayday.com/places/park-no-546-chicago) Where: Streeterville A small park with a playground and a splash pad, for a quick play on the walk between the pier and Maggie Daley. ### [Lake Shore Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/lake-shore-park-chicago) Where: Streeterville A playground with a community garden and tennis courts around it, a few blocks north of Grand Avenue. ### [Seneca Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/seneca-park-chicago) Where: Magnificent Mile A playground by the old Water Tower, handy after American Girl Place or 360 Chicago. ## Michigan Avenue and the river ### [Chicago Riverwalk](https://ourplayday.com/places/chicago-riverwalk) Where: Loop A paved path along the river, easy with a stroller, with a climbing structure called PlayCubes partway along. Boat tours leave from it, and there are restaurants along the water. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Wendella Tours & Cruises](https://ourplayday.com/places/wendella-boats) Where: Michigan Avenue Bridge An architecture cruise on the river and out onto the lake, run by the same family since 1935. There's stroller storage and a restroom on board, so a toddler can come. - Free entry: No - Restroom: Yes - Changing table: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [360 CHICAGO](https://ourplayday.com/places/360-chicago) Where: Magnificent Mile The observation deck on the 94th floor of the old John Hancock Center, step-free from the street, with family restrooms. - Free entry: No - Restroom: Yes - Changing table: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [American Girl Place](https://ourplayday.com/places/american-girl-place) Where: Magnificent Mile Two floors inside Water Tower Place: dolls, a salon that does the doll's hair, and a cafe where your kid and their doll have lunch at the same table. Walking in is free, and the cafe is by reservation. - Free entry: Yes - Restroom: Yes - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Museum of Ice Cream Chicago](https://ourplayday.com/places/museum-of-ice-cream-chicago) Where: Magnificent Mile Ticketed rooms of ice-cream-themed installations by the Tribune Tower, including one filled with plastic sprinkles. Strollers wait outside that room. - Free entry: No - Wheelchair access: Yes ### [Bubbles Academy](https://ourplayday.com/places/bubbles-academy) Where: Magnificent Mile Music, movement and art classes for kids up to 6, on the sixth level of the 900 N Michigan shops, with drop-in sessions. Good for a cold morning with a toddler. - Free entry: No ## Where to eat Deep-dish takes a while to bake, so order as soon as you sit down. ### [Pizzeria Uno](https://ourplayday.com/places/pizzeria-uno) Where: River North The original deep-dish, since 1943. Kids get a lump of dough to play with while the pizza bakes. - Kids' menu: Yes - High chairs: Yes ### [Lou Malnati's Pizzeria](https://ourplayday.com/places/lou-malnatis-pizzeria-michigan-ave-chicago) Where: Magnificent Mile Deep-dish on Michigan Avenue, and the dessert is a warm chocolate chip cookie pizza with ice cream on top. ### [Gino's East](https://ourplayday.com/places/ginos-east-magnificent-mile) Where: Magnificent Mile The city's other famous deep-dish, a couple of blocks off Michigan Avenue, with high chairs and a kids' menu. - Kids' menu: Yes - High chairs: Yes ### [Giordano's](https://ourplayday.com/places/giordanos-loop) Where: Loop Stuffed deep-dish a block from Millennium Park, with a kids' menu of pizza, pasta, chicken bites and ice cream. Easy after the Bean. - Kids' menu: Yes ### [Ed Debevic's](https://ourplayday.com/places/ed-debevic-s-chicago) Where: Streeterville A retro diner where the servers sass you and dance on the counters. The tiny hot fudge sundae comes in a glass your kid gets to keep. ### [Billy Goat Tavern](https://ourplayday.com/places/billy-goat-tavern-michigan-ave) Where: Magnificent Mile The original cheezborger counter, below street level near the Wrigley Building. The only way in is a flight of stairs, so fold the stroller. - Wheelchair access: No - Kids' menu: Yes - High chairs: Yes ### [The Capital Grille](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-capital-grille-streeterville) Where: Streeterville A steakhouse for the grown-up dinner of the trip, with a kids' menu and high chairs, and staff who are good with a family celebration. Book ahead. - Kids' menu: Yes - High chairs: Yes Page: https://ourplayday.com/guides/united-states/illinois/chicago/things-to-do-with-kids-near-navy-pier