Chicago Together

Our Chicago family adventure

Big city,
little explorers.

Three low-cost days of animals, skyline views, beach time, halal food, and plenty of breathing room for five children.

Jul 31–Aug 2202611 travelers5 children$0 admissioncore itinerary
See the daily plan
CHI
2026

Lake breeze
& happy feet

Your home base

Hampton Inn & Suites
Downers Grove Chicago

1500 Opus Place, Downers Grove, IL 60515

View on map ↗
Free hot breakfastFuel up before each driveFree self-parkingWith in-and-out privileges3 PM / 12 PMCheck-in / check-out
Plan around a suburban base

The hotel is about 20 miles from central Chicago, so check Google Maps before every departure and protect extra time during Lollapalooza weekend. Keep snacks, water, spare clothes, and stroller supplies in the car.

Lollapalooza weekend

Drive less.
Stay out longer.

Your hotel is outside the CTA system. Use a day-by-day mix of driving, Metra, CTA, and short rideshares instead of returning to Downers Grove between activities.

Friday

Use the car, but park once

Drive to Mosque Foundation, continue downtown, and leave the car in one garage while exploring the Riverwalk. Skip the duplicate Navy Pier stop, then drive north for Devon dinner.

Saturday · recommended transit day

Metra + CTA

Drive to Belmont or Main/Downers Grove station, take the BNSF train to Union Station, then use CTA or a short rideshare for the zoo, dinner, and Navy Pier. Choose your return train before leaving the hotel.

Sunday

Keep the car on the North Side

Drive directly to Montrose, then continue to Slim’s, Warren Park, and Devon Avenue. Do not return to the hotel until after dinner.

Belmont station map ↗Main Street station map ↗BNSF schedule ↗RTA trip planner ↗

Before each outing: check service alerts, the last return train, stroller accessibility, and live travel time. Lollapalooza street closures can reroute buses near Grant Park.

Three days, one easy rhythm

Choose a day

Each day follows a simple route and includes a proper reset for the youngest travelers.

Fri · Jul 31

Riverwalk & skyline

Bridgeview prayer, then downtown

Jumu’ah at Mosque Foundation, downtown views, and an optional Devon Avenue dinner finale.

Family pace2 main outings1 protected restLots of flexibility
1
12:00 PM

Jumu’ah at Mosque Foundation

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Leave the Downers Grove hotel by about 11:00 AM and check live traffic. Arrive early at 7360 W 93rd St, Bridgeview; use the first 12:30 PM prayer to preserve the afternoon plan.

PrayerBridgeviewArrive early
2
1:20 PM

Lunch & downtown transfer

Eat a packed lunch before leaving Bridgeview, or drive toward a listed restaurant. Allow roughly 45–75 minutes for the transfer and festival-weekend traffic.

Packed lunchDrive timeFlexible
3
3:45 PM

Chicago Riverwalk

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Walk only the scenic central section. Watch the boats, photograph the bridges, and stop whenever little legs need a break.

FreeStroller-friendlyWashrooms nearby
4
6:15 PM

Devon dinner & stroll

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Eat at Ghareeb Nawaz, then take a short 30–45 minute walk past the Pakistani and wider South Asian groceries, bakeries, clothing shops, and sweet stores along Devon Avenue.

DinnerShort strollSouth Asian district

Along today’s route

Restaurant options

Choose one based on energy, timing, and your family’s halal standard.

Confirm detailsLate lunch · around 2:45 PM
Epic Burger

517 S State St

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A practical first downtown stop after driving from Bridgeview, before continuing north to the Riverwalk.

Halal note: Ask staff to confirm current halal beef and chicken. Omit Epic and Dijon sauces, plus turkey and standard bacon toppings.
Halal menuLate lunch · around 3:00 PM
The Port of Peri Peri

850 W Superior St

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Convenient if you approach downtown from the west; sharing platters work well for two families.

Halal note: The restaurant currently describes its Superior Street menu as 100% halal. Choose mild chicken, rice, and cassava fries for the children.
Confirm detailsDinner · around 6:15 PM
Ghareeb Nawaz — Devon

2032 W Devon Ave

View on map ↗

A budget-friendly dinner followed by a lively walk through the surrounding Pakistani and South Asian shopping district.

Halal note: The official site confirms the Devon location and Pakistani menu but does not state current halal sourcing. Reconfirm directly before ordering.

Spend on memories, not tickets

A full trip with $0 core admission.

Riverwalk, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier promenade and fireworks, Chicago beaches, and Devon Avenue wandering all fit the plan without attraction tickets.

Best-value splurge: make one family-style halal dinner the treat instead of buying eleven attraction tickets.

Core attraction budget

$0
RiverwalkFree
Lincoln Park ZooFree
BeachFree
Navy Pier fireworksFree
Food, transit, and parking are not included.

Halal food plan

Pack lunch. Share dinner.

Bring breakfast, snacks, and picnic lunches. Save restaurant spending for one easy meal near the day’s activity.

  • Downtown: The Halal Guys, Wabash Avenue
  • Navy Pier: Reconfirm current halal vendors before visiting
  • Devon Avenue: Ghareeb Nawaz, Sabri Nihari, and casual zabiha-halal options
Halal suppliers and menus can change. Call the restaurant directly before the trip.

Moving as a group

Stay together in transit.

Use the day-by-day transportation plan above, then keep these simple rules for eleven travelers.

1Fold strollers before crowded rides2Keep the group’s adults paired up3Choose a meeting point at every stop

Ready, set, Chicago

Family packing list

Tap items as you pack. Your checklist stays saved on this device.

The best plan is a flexible one

Ready for three good days?

Check hours, prayer times, weather, fireworks, and halal status shortly before you go.