Chicago truly has it all! An incredible dining scene, luxurious spas, and top attractions, but with so many adult responsibilities, there are moments when we just want to break free and be as carefree as we were as kids!
Get ready to dive into these fantastic activities guaranteed to awaken your inner child for some much needed fun. We can guarantee you we won’t judge.
Step into the world of Minecraft at this interactive experience just outside Chicago, where the game’s iconic blocks, biomes, and creatures come to life. Whether you’re a longtime player or introducing the game to younger fans, you’ll complete hands-on challenges, explore immersive environments, and work together to gather resources and save the village. It’s a fun, family-friendly adventure that brings one of the world’s most popular video games into the real world.
Bring out your inner child with a visit to the world’s largest Hello Kitty Cafe, now open in Chicago. From adorable character-inspired desserts and colorful drinks to exclusive merchandise, photo ops, and even an elegant afternoon tea experience, it’s a pink paradise that feels straight out of a Sanrio dream, perfect for longtime fans and anyone looking for a little nostalgic fun this summer.
If you really want to feel like a kid, we suggest venturing just 30 minutes outside of Chicago to check out the Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, a.k.a, the world’s largest arcade! Play rare finds like Sega R360 or enjoy your favorite classics, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders—all iconic arcade games from the 80s!
If you want to stay within the city limits, we suggest checking out the brand new 3,000-square-foot Neon Gardens, taking over the former Broken English Taco Pub space in Lincoln Park. Enjoy New York-style pizza from the Slice Hut, sip on delicious cocktails like the Summer in Sicily or Purple Smash, and feel like a kid again in their arcade that gives off all the 90s-era nostalgia you could ever want! Just don’t leave without enjoying a cocktail on their open-air, Italian-inspired patio.
If you want to unlock your inner child, we suggest heading out to Oak Brook to check out Sony Motion Pictures’ Wonderverse! This 45,000-square-foot space is packed with fun for kids, but with high-end dining, a full bar, an arcade, Zombieland bumper cars, the Uncharted Escape Rooms, and two exciting VR experiences—the Ghostbusters VR Academy and a quest to find the stolen jewel in Jumanji: Reverse the Curse—adults won’t want to miss out either! Plus, enjoy half-off cocktails during happy hour and test your trivia skills every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.!
Find out more here!
Read our full list of arcades in and around Chicago!
Have a blast with your friends at Electric Shuffle! Play classic shuffleboard with digital scoring while sipping craft cocktails like spicy margaritas or espresso martinis, and indulge in elevated bar fare. Add in great beats in the background, and you’ve got all the elements for a perfect night out.
Fall in love with science again at one of the quirkiest shops we’ve found!
If you once had a passion for science, you can rest assured that it will be reignited at the American Science & Surplus store near the city. From frogs to dissect to vintage Russian microscopes and 1950s Geiger counters, they have it all.
Activate Games is undeniably a blast for families with young children, but let’s be honest, it’s also a fantastic outing for friends or a team-building adventure with coworkers (*wink, wink, Secret Chicago team)! These live-action games challenge teams to collaborate, testing their mental and physical agility in three-minute face-offs. From Hoops and Push to Hide (reminiscent of Netflix’s Squid Game), Megagrid (a sprawling space with color grids on the floor), and laser games straight out of thrilling spy movies like ‘Entrapment,’ there’s something here for everyone. It’s the perfect activity to unleash the inner child in all of us!
Play Pickleball at this beach-themed indoor spot!
Pickleball has swept the nation, with courts popping up all over the city. One, in particular, offers 40,000 square feet of indoor fun with a beach theme, letting us feel as if we’ve escaped Chicago’s harsh winters.
Lincoln Park’s Social Pickleball Fun has it all—a massive turf, nine pickleball courts, Kikwetu coffee shop, Honey Butter Chicken restaurant, and a touch of luxury in the locker rooms with saunas. We don’t know about you, but this gives us all the adult camp vibes we need to bring back the carefree days of our youth. With the beach theme, we’ll feel like it’s summer all year round.
Challenge your friends to high-tech mini golf and share creative bites.
Love mini golf? You have to check out Puttshack, a massive 25,000-square-foot, tech-infused mini golf destination in Oak Brook. After a few rounds, dig into a menu full of craveable bites like Chicago Tailpipes, shiitake mushroom potstickers, Thai fried chicken, burgers, flatbread pizzas, and more. Plus, there’s a full bar with craft cocktails to sip while you play.
