The A-to-Z Chicago Challenge: 26 Hidden Workouts Masquerading as Family Fun
Mighty Oak Athletic Podcast S2:E37 - The A-to-Z Chicago Challenge: 26 Hidden Workouts Masquerading as Family Fun
Summer is the season of choice: you can level-up in real life—racking up steps, sunshine, and memories—or you can grind through one more boss battle from the couch. Screens will be there in November. Fresh air, family time, and built-in cardio? Those expire with Labor Day. Use the A-to-Z roadmap below to keep everyone—from grade-schoolers to teens to parents—moving, learning, and laughing all summer long.
Stat check: A 2024 JAMA Pediatrics study found teens log 7.3 hours of daily screen time in June and July. Swap half that for movement and you torch an extra 15,000 calories before Labor Day.
A-to-Z Chicagoland Family Adventures
A – Art Institute of Chicago: One of the nation’s oldest and largest art museums, renowned for its iconic masterpieces like Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Hopper’s Nighthawks, plus expansive collections spanning 5,000 years . Location: Chicago (Grant Park).
B – Bahá’í House of Worship: A magnificent white-domed temple – the only Bahá’í Temple in North America – famed for its lace-like concrete architecture and serene gardens by Lake Michigan . Location: Wilmette, IL.
C – Chicago Botanic Garden: A 385-acre living plant museum featuring 27 themed gardens across nine islands, with scenic lakes, nature trails, and year-round displays of flora for all ages . Location: Glencoe, IL.
D – DuSable Black History Museum: The nation’s first and oldest museum dedicated to African American history, art, and culture, offering rich exhibits that celebrate Black heritage and contributions . Location: Chicago (Washington Park).
E – Emily Oaks Nature Center: A tranquil 13-acre nature preserve with a looping trail around a pond, interactive indoor exhibits, a playground, and abundant wildlife (from turtles to native birds) – a hidden gem for outdoor family fun . Location: Skokie, IL.
F – Field Museum of Natural History: World-class natural history museum with immersive exhibits spanning 4.6 billion years – from Egyptian mummies to dinosaur fossils like SUE the T. rex – drawn from a collection of over 24 million artifacts . Location: Chicago (Museum Campus).
G – Garfield Park Conservatory: A grand historic conservatory (one of the nation’s largest) filled with lush tropical palms, desert cacti, waterfalls, and seasonal flower shows, offering an urban oasis for plant lovers and families . Location: Chicago (East Garfield Park).
H – Historic Wagner Farm: One of the last working dairy farms in Cook County, now open for hands-on learning – visitors can explore 1920s-era farm life, see cows and horses, take hay rides, and even try milking a cow . Location: Glenview, IL.
I – Indiana Dunes National Park: Expansive natural park boasting 15 miles of Lake Michigan beaches and 50 miles of scenic trails through towering sand dunes, quiet woodlands, prairies, and wetlands . Location: Porter/Chesterton, IN (Northwest Indiana).
J – Jackson Park’s Japanese Garden (Osaka Garden): A serene Japanese strolling garden on Wooded Island featuring a pavilion, moon bridge, Shinto gate, and lush landscaping – originally a gift from Japan for the 1893 World’s Fair . Location: Chicago (Hyde Park).
K – Kohl Children’s Museum: A top-rated children’s museum offering 17 interactive, hands-on exhibits designed for ages 8 and under, where kids can learn through play (from a pretend grocery store to a water play zone) . Location: Glenview, IL.
L – Lincoln Park Zoo: A 35-acre zoo dating back to 1868 (one of the country’s oldest) and one of the last free-admission zoos, home to 200+ species – from big cats and apes to penguins – amid a lush park setting . Location: Chicago (Lincoln Park).
M – Millennium Park: Chicago’s iconic downtown park known for public art and architecture – splash at Crown Fountain, stroll the gardens, catch a concert at Pritzker Pavilion, and snap a family photo at “The Bean” (Cloud Gate) reflecting the skyline . Location: Chicago (Loop).
N – Naperville Riverwalk: Often called the “crown jewel” of Naperville, this 1.75-mile brick-paved promenade along the DuPage River features beautiful fountains, covered bridges, sculptures, and peaceful riverside seating areas . Location: Naperville, IL.
O – Oz Park: A Wizard of Oz–themed neighborhood park complete with Dorothy’s Playlot (a large wooden playground), an “Emerald Garden” of flowers, and life-size statues of Dorothy & Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion scattered around the 14-acre park . Location: Chicago (Lincoln Park neighborhood).
P – Pullman National Historical Park: The historic Pullman district – America’s first planned industrial community (built in the 1880s for Pullman rail car workers) – now preserved as a national park site showcasing Victorian row houses, the iconic clock-tower factory, and exhibits on labor and civil rights history . Location: Chicago (Pullman on the Far South Side).
Q – Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church: Chicago’s oldest Black congregation (founded 1844) resides in this 1892 Gothic Revival church. Named for Bishop Quinn, it was a hub of abolitionist activity and remains a symbol of African-American heritage . Location: Chicago (Near South Side).
R – Chicago Riverwalk: A 1.25-mile pedestrian promenade along the Chicago River in the heart of downtown, lined with public art, cafés, and kayak rentals, and offering close-up views of the waterway framed by world-famous architecture . Location: Chicago (Loop/River North).
S – Shedd Aquarium: One of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, housing some 32,000 creatures from beluga whales and penguins to reef fish and Amazon river turtles, all in immersive habitats that take visitors on a journey from the Arctic to the tropics . Location: Chicago (Museum Campus).
T – The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail): A 2.7-mile elevated greenway created from a converted railway line. This multi-use trail connects several parks and neighborhoods with its landscaped path, offering walkers and bikers public art, lookout points, and a unique urban-nature experience . Location: Chicago (Wicker Park/Bucktown/Logan Square).
U – Unity Temple: Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1908 Unitarian temple in Oak Park – a pioneering modern design built of exposed reinforced concrete (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and celebrated for its geometric form, skylit sanctuary, and architectural significance . Location: Oak Park, IL.
V – Volo Auto Museum: A sprawling 35-acre museum complex showcasing hundreds of classic cars and pop-culture vehicles. Family favorites include one of the world’s largest collections of Batmobiles (1960s TV to modern films) and famous movie cars like the Back to the Future DeLorean and Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1 . Location: Volo, IL.
W – Willis Tower Skydeck: The observation deck atop Chicago’s tallest skyscraper (formerly Sears Tower). Ride up to the 103rd floor for sweeping city views and step onto The Ledge – a set of all-glass balconies that extend 4.3 feet out from the building, suspending you 1,353 feet above the streets . Location: Chicago (Loop).
X – Xtreme adventure at iFLY Indoor Skydiving: Experience the thrill of free-fall in a vertical wind tunnel. Safe for kids as young as 3, this unique venue lets the whole family float on air – no parachute needed – under the guidance of trained instructors . Location: Chicago (Lincoln Park) and Rosemont, IL.
Y – Yorkville’s Raging Waves Waterpark: Illinois’ largest water park, spanning 58 acres with 32 towering water slides, a huge wave pool, multiple splash play zones for kids, and a relaxing quarter-mile lazy river – a summertime favorite for all ages . Location: Yorkville, IL.
Z – (Chicago Zoological Society’s) Brookfield Zoo: A 216-acre zoo renowned for its naturalistic animal habitats and expansive variety – around 450 species from lions and kangaroos to dolphins and orangutans. Highlights include the indoor Tropic World rainforest and other immersive exhibits that make visitors feel part of the wildlife environment . Location: Brookfield, IL.
Three Ways to Turn Trips into Training
Set a Movement Goal.
Before you leave, decide on a step count, stair total, or “mini-workouts” (push-ups, lunges, planks) triggered by landmarks. Gamify the day and kids forget they’re exercising.
Pack the Right Fuel.
Swap sugary snacks for protein-rich nuts, fruit, and plenty of water. You’ll avoid energy crashes and keep morale high during those extra laps around the gardens or museums.
Reflect & Record.
Mighty Oak athletes use training journals to build consistency. After each excursion, jot down distance covered, favorite discovery, and how your body feels. Seeing progress off the field reinforces training habits back in the gym.
Don’t Let the Couch Win
Research shows teens average 7+ hours of screen time daily during summer break. Excess sitting tightens hips, weakens posterior chains, and drains mental health. Flip the script:
Active outings build real-world strength, mobility, and endurance.
Novel environments sharpen coordination and cognitive flexibility.
Shared experiences strengthen family bonds and model healthy living.
Your console will still be there after sunset. The chance to sprint up Indiana’s sand dunes or conquer the Willis Tower stairwell? That’s a summer-only perk.
Keep Momentum with Mighty Oak Athletic
Exploring Chicagoland is a perfect primer, but structured training cements gains and reduces injury risk once fall sports return. Drop in for a free trial session at Mighty Oak Athletic, compare notes on your A-to-Z conquests, and we’ll program the strength work to match your new adventures.
This summer, choose motion over pixels. See the city, hike the dunes, paddle the river—then bring that energy back to the barbell. We’ll be ready when you are.
