Experience · Chicago

Family Fun Day at Navy Pier & Oz Park

Kick off a fun-filled family day at the Chicago Children's Museum, where interactive exhibits will captivate kids of all ages. After working up an appetite, grab a casual lunch at a donut shop that also serves chicken sandwiches. Conclude your day with some outdoor playtime at the whimsical Oz Park, meeting characters from the Wizard of Oz.

A 4.5-hour Chicago full_day plan for families — Chicago Children's Museum, Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken, Oz Park.

Duration
4h 30m
Cost
$30–$80
Stops
3 stops
Area
Streeterville + 1 more
Walking
Moderate walking · Total 2.9-mile driving route
Ideal for
Families · Kids · Parents
Start Plan
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Family Fun Day at Navy Pier & Oz Park

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Chicago Children's Museum(2 hr 30 min)→
  2. 2Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken(1 hr)→
  3. 3Oz Park(1 hr)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 2.9 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Chicago instead of crossing town between them. Chicago Children's Museum is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Oz Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families, families with kids, and parents who want a planned Chicago outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Kick off a fun-filled family day at the Chicago Children's Museum, where interactive exhibits will captivate kids of all ages. After working up an appetite, grab a casual lunch at a donut shop that also serves chicken sandwiches. Conclude your day with some outdoor playtime at the whimsical Oz Park, meeting characters from the Wizard of Oz.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. 0.7 mi · 14 min walk or 5 min drive

    Then Walk a short distance on Navy Pier to Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken for a casual lunch.

  2. Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken
    2
    1 hr
    Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken

    Food & Drink · Streeterville

    Chef-owned counter for artisanal donuts in unusual flavors plus fried chicken sandwiches & coffee.

    What to do — Grab some gourmet donuts and fried chicken sandwiches for a quick and satisfying lunch. There are options for everyone in the family.

    Scout Side Quest

    Invent the world's most chaotic donut flavor using three completely random things you see around you.

    Book it · Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken

    2.2 mi · 8 min drive

    Then Take a short taxi or ride-share (about 10 minutes) to Oz Park in Lincoln Park for some outdoor fun.

  3. Oz Park3
    Optional 1 hr
    Oz Park

    Outdoors · Lincoln Park

    Oz-themed playground/park with statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion & Dorothy.

    What to do — Allow the children to play on the playground and explore the park, looking for statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy.

    Scout Side Quest

    Strike your best dramatic statue pose next to your favorite character. First one to giggle loses!

Scout Stories

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The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Chicago itinerary for families?
Yes. It's built for families, families with kids, and parents and runs about 4 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Chicago Children's Museum.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 4 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Chicago itinerary cost?
Roughly $30–$80 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 2.9 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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