Art Institute of Chicago

A landmark 1893 athletic-club building across from Millennium Park, now a Hyatt hotel whose old lap pool is a tiled event space rather than a place to swim.

A free downtown park with Cloud Gate ("the Bean") and Crown Fountain, whose two towers spray water over a shallow plaza made for wading.

Chicago's free outdoor rink at Millennium Park, with free lessons and skate rentals available.

A three-acre play garden downtown with rope nets, a play ship and a seasonal splash pad, next to two rock-climbing walls and a looping ice-skating ribbon that turns into a scooter path in summer.

One of the world's largest fountains, in the middle of Grant Park, with a light-and-music display after dusk. Free to visit.

Home of Giordano's stuffed deep-dish pizza a block from Millennium Park, with a kids' menu of pizza, pasta, chicken bites and ice cream.