What to do on Presidents Day in Chicago

The kids have been looking forward to Presidents Day for weeks - just to get a day off from school. So make the most of the day, while celebrating Abe, George and all the other U.S. presidents, by getting out of the house. Chicago has plenty of things to fill your day, from simple outside fun to history. Check out our picks for a day of fun.

If none of these fit your mood, browse our full calendar to find events near you.

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President's Day CelebrationFREE

Chicago History Museum | Chicago
February 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Celebrate President's Day with music, Presidential trivia, crafts and appearances by a modern Mary Todd and President Abe Lincoln.

School’s Day Out – Breaking the Code

Naper Settlement | Naperville
February 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Discover the hidden symbols on currency, go undercover to learn the secrets used by spies throughout history and write your own secret messages using codes and invisible ink. Take our spy challenge to test your espionage skills.

President's Day Weekend at the Farm

Susanna Farms | Lake Villa
February 16 - February 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kids can play in the straw maze, take a 30-minute hayride through the snowy fields, visit with the horses and check out the new Scottish Highland bull calves who were born in early January.

Monkeys, Apes and Me

Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago
February 18 - March 23, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 18, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. March 23

From gibbons to gorillas, tails to thumbs, find out what makes you similar and different from our closest primate relatives. Put your tool-use skills to the test while fishing for termites. Feb. 18 and March 23.

President's Day Play

Pump It Up Chicago | Chicago
February 18, 9-10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Enjoy a day off school by coming to Pump It Up.

Owl Family Adventure

Morton Arboretum | Lisle
February 16 - February 18, 1-2:30 p.m.

Experts from SOAR (Save Our American Raptors) talk about their owls. After the presentation, dissect owl pellets and make a craft to take home.

Skating in the Sky

John Hancock Observatory | Chicago
January 1 - April 18, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

If you're looking for an alternative to skating at Millennium Park this winter, look up. Way up-94 stories, to be exact. Touted as the World's Highest Ice Skating Rink, the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center gives ice skaters a bird's-eye view of the city and the lake.

At 20 feet by 45 feet, the rink is probably too small to be your solo destination of the day, but paired with a trip to see the view from the Hancock, it's a nice way for kids to burn off energy while parents enjoy the great view. And because it's synthetic ice, skaters stay warm and don't get wet.

The rink is scheduled to be open for skating from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. through April 18. A 25-minute skate session costs $6 (in addition to the cost to get into the Hancock Observatory). You can bring your own skates or rent some there for a dollar.

Super Heroes Weekend

Legoland Discovery Center | Schaumburg
February 15 - February 18 (Sunday,Monday,Friday,Saturday) , 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday.

Activities include: an epic battle of good vs. evil as heroes join forces to save MINILAND from an invasion of criminal villains; a hero-themed costume contest; a super hero scavenger hunt for a chance to win four free annual passes; build your own crime-fighting super hero; creative building challenges for a chance to win prizes; and more.