Small gallery showcases exquisitely crafted jade artwork and stone carved animal dioramas in an intimate, peaceful atmosphere. Layout is clean and well-designed, with interactive elements like touchscreen games for children. Occasional live music adds a bright, upbeat energy to the space.
Interactive exhibits and accessible displays engage kids of various ages. Affordable admission and a gift shop with items like dinosaur bones add to the kid-friendly appeal.
Small but packed with stunning displays of carved minerals, jade, ivory, and coral. Exhibits include detailed explanations of jade carving and feature high-quality Chinese lapidary art.
"The museums here have stunning jade art and fascinating rocks."
"It's a great spot for kids with lots of interactive fun."
"It's a quiet and relaxing experience."
Good to know
Admission is free every Wednesday.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for college students.
The museum holds monthly events for all ages.
Military history unfolds through immersive exhibits with authentic sounds and realistic lighting. Surrounding beautiful gardens and tree-lined courtyards create a calm atmosphere with well-marked trails and peaceful views. Outdoor tanks invite climbing, adding an interactive element for visitors of all ages.
Military tanks stand out as a major attraction for kids, with many opportunities to climb on them. Short films add an educational layer, helping kids understand historical experiences.
Exhibits focus on the 1st Infantry Division with a strong World War I theme. Tanks and military artifacts create an immersive experience that appeals to both kids and history fans.
Good to know
The museum is free to enter for all visitors.
Parking is free for military personnel with CAC cards.
There is a parking fee for general visitors.
Exhibition offers immersive rooms and interactive soccer-themed games that engage visitors of all ages. Atmosphere balances family-friendly fun with an inspiring look at a sports icon's life. Visitors often enjoy delicious empanadas as part of the experience.
Kids find the exhibit highly interactive and engaging, with a standout feature being a recreation of Messi's childhood bedroom. The experience excites children and keeps them entertained throughout.
Exhibits feature immersive rooms and interactive games that engage visitors of all ages. The story of Messi unfolds with emotional depth and offers detailed insights into his journey from childhood to global icon.
Good to know
Tickets are more expensive than average, so budget accordingly.
Free parking is available on-site for visitors.
The experience is great for families and kids of all ages.
Small museum with interactive exhibits and a dinosaur-themed play area creates a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Displays include local history artifacts and fossil exhibits, presented in a clear, engaging layout. Visitors often spend time in hands-on discovery spaces and enjoy the charming gift shop.
Interactive exhibits keep kids engaged with hands-on activities and specimens. The museum offers fun, educational experiences for toddlers through older children, including those interested in dinosaurs and history.
Exhibits cover Lake County history with detailed explanations and include interactive displays that engage both kids and adults. Special exhibits feature fossils, quilts, and a notable Bob Ross collection.
Good to know
Admission is free for service members.
The museum hosts special traveling exhibitions throughout the year.
The Bob Ross exhibit is a special highlight currently on display.
Eighteen linked rooms showcase balloon-style art installations with unique lighting and music in each space. Interactive features like a ball pit, swings, and bubbles create a joyful, immersive atmosphere that appeals to all ages. The design balances colorful, emotional vibes with spaces for relaxation and creative engagement.
Ball pit room, swing, and bubbles provide stimulating play for kids of various ages. Activities combine fun and education, engaging toddlers through young adults alike.
Bright colors and interactive exhibits create a highly engaging experience. The museum offers spacious galleries that never feel crowded, making it easy to enjoy the art and sensory presentations.
Good to know
Parking is available on site for $10.
Booking tickets in advance is recommended to avoid long waits.
The museum offers many interactive displays suitable for both adults and children.
Expansive grounds showcase beautiful gardens and historic mansion with elegant charm. Visitors find a peaceful atmosphere filled with pleasant scents and twinkling lights illuminating pathways. Family-friendly features include playgrounds, climbable tanks, and interactive musical swings.
A large playground and children's garden offer plenty of space for kids to explore and play. The garden's babbling brook adds a fun, natural element that keeps children engaged and curious.
Exhibitions commemorate over 100 years of service by The Big Red One with great exhibits and a hands-on experience at the park. Admission includes access to the museum and is inexpensive.
Good to know
The entrance fee is $5 per car, but free on Veterans Day.
Dogs are not allowed in the park except on designated days.
The park hosts various events, including concerts and reenactments throughout the year.
Small, modern museum offers an intimate and quiet atmosphere with interactive games and photo spots. Visitors pass through security and show ID for entry, reflecting its location within a federal bank. Admission is free, making it accessible for family fun and educational visits.
Kids interact with one million dollars in different denominations and learn to approve loans and adjust interest rates. They also get a free souvenir of shredded money to take home.
Free entry makes the museum accessible to everyone. Exhibits focus on the history of money and the Federal Reserve, with interactive displays that explain how money works in America.
Good to know
Admission to the museum is free, but an ID is required for entry.
You must pass through security to enter the museum.
The museum opens at 10am.
Interactive play areas and imaginative exhibits fill multiple rooms and outdoor spaces, creating a child-focused environment. The atmosphere is lively and sometimes chaotic, reflecting active exploration and play. Families often return for the ever-changing exhibits and outdoor water table, which stands out as a favorite feature.
Kids of all ages enjoy make believe play and exploring indoor professions. The space stays clean and welcoming, with staff guiding children kindly during activities.
Exhibits offer fun, unique experiences designed for kids of all ages. The museum includes a playground and hosts birthday parties and kids programs regularly.
Good to know
The museum has multiple activities and playrooms designed for children.
Visitors can leave for lunch and return the same day with a hand stamp.
The museum features a playground and an outdoor play area with climbing structures.
Museum combines historical exhibits on fur trade era with interactive children's activities and nature trails along a river. Outdoor spaces include picnic pavilions and areas for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing. Atmosphere is peaceful and educational, attracting families and school groups.
Several interactive exhibits engage kids directly. Staff encourage hands-on activities like trying to start a fire, making learning fun and memorable.
Exhibits focus on the fur trade era and the history of the Midwest and Great Lakes before the United States. Trails and outdoor areas feature beaver carvings and interactive activities like fire starting for kids.
Good to know
The museum offers free admission for all visitors.
Accessibility features include wheelchair-accessible restrooms and parking.
There are many short trails within the park suitable for all types of hikers.
Bright, clean, and thoughtfully designed space offers interactive play areas like a mini village, vet office, and recycling truck. Energy stays comfortable and inviting, ideal for toddlers through school-age kids to explore and socialize. Layout suits young children with age-appropriate activities and organized stations that encourage imagination and learning.
Creative play spaces include a recycling truck, fire station slide, and spaceship corner that engage kids deeply. Staff help with activities like slime making, supporting creativity and social engagement during birthday parties and visits.
Numerous hands-on exhibits and interactive displays engage children of various ages. Creative activities and a calm environment make it enjoyable for both kids and parents.
Good to know
Parking is free with validation when visiting the museum.
The museum is suitable for children ages 1 to 10.
The facility is very clean and well-organized for children's play.
Hangar filled with flight suits and flight simulation games creates an immersive aviation environment. Visitors encounter decommissioned planes and WW II era artifacts, with opportunities to explore cockpits and engage with enthusiasts. The atmosphere is family-friendly and educational, supported by volunteers and donation-based entry.
Activities like simulators and toys keep kids engaged. Many stalls offer freebies that add to the fun. The place feels very kid friendly overall.
Small but packed with aviation exhibits and a strong focus on education. Staff are very friendly and the space is especially welcoming for children.
Good to know
Admission is free, allowing visitors to see a range of aircraft.
Parking fills up quickly; consider arriving early or using nearby lots.
The restaurant on-site accepts cards, but some vendors only take cash.
Small museum showcases regional natural history with exhibits on glacial history and local wildlife. Atmosphere is family-friendly with a kids corner offering hands-on activities and books. Lighting varies, with some areas less ideal for viewing detailed displays.
Great zoo programs run on Tuesdays and Fridays in summer for kids. A dedicated kids corner offers hands-on learning, books, and plenty of activities.
Small but well maintained, the museum offers exhibits on local ecology and Glacial History. Displays include animals extinct and alive, a colorful mural of endangered native species, and history of the area's original inhabitants.
Good to know
Zoo programs for children occur on Tuesdays and Fridays during summer.
Admission fees range from $3 to $10 per person.
The museum is open Thursday to Sunday afternoons from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Historic fire station building houses vintage fire trucks and hands-on exhibits that engage both adults and children. Intimate space creates a warm, respectful atmosphere honoring firefighting history. Upstairs playroom offers a themed area for toddlers, making it family-friendly.
Many hands-on items keep kids engaged throughout the museum. An upstairs playroom and a dedicated children's activity area offer fun spaces for toddlers and younger children.
Exhibits focus on the history of firefighting with many hands-on items for all ages. The historic building and preserved displays create a heartfelt and respectful atmosphere.
Good to know
Admission to the museum is very affordable for both adults and children.
Free parking is available in the lot behind the museum.
The museum features many hands-on exhibits that are great for kids.
Historic building with a well-preserved facade and clean, well-lit interiors creates a welcoming atmosphere. Interactive exhibits and a scavenger hunt for kids engage families and learners. Focus on local industry history, especially watchmaking, offers detailed insights into the city's past.
Free admission for kids and teachers makes it easy to visit. A scavenger hunt designed for kids keeps them engaged and entertained.
Well-organized exhibits offer a fascinating glimpse into local history, including watch production and timekeeping. Several interactive displays like a general store and telegraph engage visitors of all ages, making it especially good for families and students.
Good to know
Admission is free for kids and teachers, making it great for school trips.
The museum features interactive exhibits like a general store and covered wagon.
One room is dedicated to the Elgin National Watch Company, showcasing its history.
Museum offers interactive exhibits and a barge piloting simulator that engage visitors with river and lock systems. Well-maintained spaces include a theatre with clear views and an informative aquarium. Atmosphere is educational and family-friendly, with tours highlighting engineering and conservation efforts.
Lots of interactive activities keep kids engaged, including crashing a barge. The place suits children aged 8 to 13 and offers fun for the whole family.
Free interactive exhibits offer hands-on learning about local rivers. Well-kept grounds and a nice theatre enhance the educational experience with tours and movies available.
Good to know
The museum offers guided tours of the dam complex at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm.
Admission to the museum is free.
The tours at the museum have been canceled indefinitely due to government issues.
Rock shop combines lively energy with creative displays and an organized environment. Basement houses a mini museum featuring an impressive collection of fossils and minerals. Offers a wide variety of ethically sourced rocks, crystals, jewelry, and fossils ranging from affordable to high-end pieces.
Many cool fossils and rocks spark kids' curiosity. A museum in the basement amazes young visitors. Affordable items and gemstone boxes make collecting fun for kids.
A small fossil museum sits in the basement, offering a mini museum experience that amazes visitors of all ages. The museum downstairs remains a must-see feature of the store.
Good to know
The shop has a private fossil museum inside, showcasing unique specimens.
Easy street parking is available, even on busy weekends.
Expect a wide variety of rocks, fossils, and minerals for sale.
Bright, clean museum offers detailed historical exhibits and an atmospheric introductory film. Outdoor area includes large picnic spaces and replica cabins that show signs of weathering. Quiet, peaceful setting near river confluence provides a calm backdrop for learning about pioneer life and early exploration.
Interactive exhibits engage both children and adults throughout the museum. Kids enjoy meeting Norman the dog and exploring hands-on displays that make learning fun and accessible.
Interactive exhibits engage both children and adults with well-researched Lewis & Clark history. The museum features a to-scale keel boat and high-quality displays comparable to major historical museums.
Good to know
The site is free to visit.
Expect special events on weekends with period costumes and reenactments.
The museum features informative displays about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Heritage museum offers interactive children's play areas with a Viking boat and Swedish house, creating a kid-friendly atmosphere. Exhibits focus on Swedish immigration history with thoughtful displays and accessible content. A cozy cafe and small gift shop add to the welcoming environment.
The third floor features a Children's museum that is fun and interactive. A dedicated children's play area offers a great space for young kids to explore comfortably.
Exhibits focus on Swedish immigration history and Swedish culture with very informative displays. The museum offers a free entry day and a welcoming atmosphere with helpful staff and volunteers.
Good to know
The museum is free on the second Tuesday of every month.
Tickets cost only $4-6 and are well worth the price.
There is a designated free parking lot nearby.
Outdoor rail museum showcases well-restored trolley cars with clean interiors and exteriors. Atmosphere feels calm and family-friendly, with volunteer-led interactions adding personal touches during short trolley rides.
Kids blow the whistle on the ride, sparking pure excitement. Santa and Mrs. Klaus create magical moments with stories and personal chats. The conductor leads engaging sing-alongs that keep kids joyful throughout.
Historic rail equipment forms the core of the exhibits, offering a hands-on experience with vintage trolleys. Staff create a personal and accommodating atmosphere, making it welcoming for families and visitors with disabilities.
Good to know
The Santa Trolley Express costs $38 per person and lasts about 40 minutes.
The trolley ride is a short 10-15 minutes each way, not well advertised.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers, enhancing the personal experience.
Science museum features hands-on exhibits and interactive displays focused on physics and energy. Grounds include many trees creating a peaceful atmosphere. It attracts mainly school groups and families with older children interested in scientific methods.
Science exhibits engage older kids who understand the scientific method. Trails offer hands-on learning about environmental restoration. Mainly suited for kids attending with a school tour.
Hands-on scientific exhibits and experiments focus on physics and energy projects. Interactive demos explain concepts clearly, making it engaging especially for older kids who grasp the scientific method. Admission is free.
Good to know
You need a real ID or passport to enter the campus.
Parking is plentiful at the Lederman Science Center.
The center offers free admission for all visitors.
Bright, interactive rooms invite touch, play, and photography with free digital photo stations in each area. The space offers a vibrant, colorful atmosphere that engages the senses and encourages fun. Small size and unique, themed installations create an immersive experience centered on color.
Bright, interactive exhibits keep toddlers and young kids engaged. Families with children as young as 7 months find it a fun way to enjoy time together and unplug from devices.
Each room features a unique, interactive exhibit celebrating color in many forms. Activities and exhibits engage the senses with themed, colorful rooms that invite hands-on participation.
Good to know
Tickets cost $72, which includes treats and digital photos.
The entrance is located next to the Willis Tower Deck entrance.
Free items like ice cream and souvenirs are included with admission.
Museum occupies a beautiful building with well-curated exhibits that highlight Black history, art, and stories of progress. Atmosphere shifts from peaceful and inspiring to lively with music, food, and dancing during events. Features include a play area for kids, free entry, and unique gift shop offerings.
Many exhibits focus on kids learning history and diversity. The kids section encourages drawing and thinking about what makes people different and the same.
Exhibits focus deeply on African history with educational displays like a moving map of the slave trade. Staff create a welcoming atmosphere and the museum offers free entry on Wednesdays.
Good to know
Entry to the museum is free, making it accessible for all visitors.
The museum hosts special events like jazz performances and Juneteenth celebrations.
Evening events are common, providing a vibrant atmosphere for visitors.
Huge museum with a perfectly recreated coal mine exhibit featuring original machines and artifacts offers an impressive experience for all ages. Crowds swell during free days, creating a lively but sometimes messy atmosphere. Facilities include a kids' water play area and directly connected parking, enhancing convenience for families.
Exhibits like the Coal Mine, weather display, and model trains engage kids well. The kids' area with water features adds extra fun for toddlers and older children alike.
Exhibits include a coal mine tour, a U-505 German submarine, and a model railroad with a Boeing 727. The museum offers engaging displays for all ages and plenty of space for kids to explore.
Good to know
The coal mine exhibition costs extra beyond general admission.
Parking is directly connected to the museum for easy access.
Expect crowds during weekends; arrive early to avoid long lines.