Chicagoland Attractions Begin to Announce Reopening Plans

by

As Illinois is on track to reach its next reopening phase – Phase 3 – on May 29, Chicagoland attractions are releasing their own reopening plans.

Phase 3 allows for gatherings of 10 or fewer people and outdoor dining becomes an option, but indoor entertainment venues – like museums and concert halls – remain closed. Social distancing and face coverings are still required in Phase 3. 

Outdoor attractions have plans in place when Phases 4 and 5 begin, allowing for gatherings of 50 or fewer and when travel restrictions are lifted. Here are a few Chicagoland attractions that may reopen sometime this summer. 

We'll update this article as new information arrives.

Cantigny Park

Opening: June 1, members only; June 15 general admission

Cantigny Park members and Honor Club members can visit the park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days each week. The grounds, gardens and restrooms in the visitors center will be open, while other buildings, the playgrounds and Army tanks are closed. All visitors must wear masks while in the restrooms and buildings, and events are canceled or moved online through the end of July. Full-service, outdoor dining will be available for lunch from 11 a.m.-2 at Bertie’s Bistro. 

Chicago Parks Department

Opening: June 8

The Chicago Park District will begin reopening parks, starting with parks west of Lakeshore Drive. Parks reopening immediately include Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park, Harold Washington Park and Jackson Park. Park fieldhouses will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily for use of bathrooms and shelter from inclement weather only. Inland golf courses and Diversey Driving Range will also reopen June 8. Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park will reopen June 15. The lakefront, park playgrounds and swimming pools will remain closed as park personnel devise plans for hygienic reopening. The park district's day camps will be modified and run July 6-Aug. 14 or families can select a two-week extended camp from Aug. 17-28. 

Chicago Botanic Garden

Opening: June 9, limited to perimeter walk with timed ticket; June 24 more gardens

Chicago Botanic Garden will open its perimeter walk for visitors with a timed ticket. Timed tickets will be sold on the hour through June 23, but note that hours of availability have changed. Buildings and restrooms are closed, and portable toilets and hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the walk. Beginning June 24, visitors can see the Thomas English Walled Garden, Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden and most areas of the Malott Japanese Garden. At that time, restrooms will be available in the Visitor Center and Regenstein Center’s Greenhouse Galleries and the Garden Grille will be open for outdoor dining. All other buildings will remain closed and all events have been canceled.⠀

Navy Pier

Opening: June 10, phased reopening

Chicago's largest tourist attraction will begin a phased reopening starting June 10, with outdoor seating, outdoor parks and docks opening first. The parking garage, Polk Bros. Park, Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, the North and South Docks, Tour Boats, Navy Pier East End Plaza and select free programs will begin the reopening. Outdoor restaurant spaces as well as kiosks and retailers with outdoor spaces will also reopen. Guests over the age of 2 will be required to wear masks, and masks are available for purchase at the pier. The Chicago Children's Museum and Chicago Shakespeare Theater will remain closed during the first phase of the reopening plan. 

Chicago Riverwalk

Opening: June 12

Runners, walkers and bikers will be able to access the path between Lakeshore Drive and Lake Street from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. The city attraction will close at 10 a.m. for cleaning. At 11 a.m., restaurants and other vendors will open until 9 p.m. Face coverings are required and gatherings of more than 10 are prohibited. The Riverwalk will be accessible at Lake Street and through ramps between Franklin and Lake Street and State and Columbus streets. There will be attendants at each entrance to make sure capacity limits are not exceeded. 

Morton Arboretum

Opening: June 1 (members only), June 15 (general public)

The Morton Arboretum is delaying the opening of Human+Nature until April 2021, but the hottest nature spot in the Western Suburbs is keeping the Troll Hunt in place through early 2021. Beginning June 1, the Arboretum will start a phased reopening for members with timed-entry passes. Non-members can begin to purchase passes starting June 15 and buildings, including the The Arboretum Store, the Visitors Center and Ginkgo Café carry-out will begin to reopen. Outdoor concessions will be available Wednesdays-Sundays, beginning June 19. With table seating unavailable due to state operational guidelines, visitors may picnic on the Arboretum grounds. The Ginkgo Restaurant, all other buildings, the Maze Garden and Children’s Garden will remain closed until further notice.

Lakefront Trail

Opening: June 22

Families are encouraged to bike, run, walk and rollerblade in the same family unit. About half of the more than 50 entry points to the trail will be opened, and beaches and parks east of Lakeshore Drive will remain closed. 

Lincoln Park Zoo

Opening: June 26 members, June 29 general public

The Lincoln Park Zoo will reopen with restricted access, including strict safety measures and limited capacities, including two-hour visits, the zoo said in a release. Admission to the zoo continues to be free, but families will have to make timed reservations on Eventbrite or by calling 312-742-2000. Face masks will be required for guests over the age of 2 and social distancing will be encouraged on signage around the zoo. 

Elmhurst History Museum

Opening: June 26

The museum will open with its new exhibit "The Great Midwestern Road Trip," which will run through Oct. 11. Advance tickets are required and only 15 people are allowed per hour. Face masks will be required and visits are limited to an hour. Hand sanitizing stations will also be readily available.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Opening: June 26

Reserve timed tickets in one-hour increments for the museum for gems and rocks in the Western Suburbs. Masks and social distancing are required inside the building, which will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Brookfield Zoo

Opening: July 1 members, July 8 general public

Non-refundable tickets including parking will be available through the Brookfield Zoo website. Members must preregister for a time to enter the zoo, with available slots in 20-minute increments. When the Brookfield Zoo reopens it will be with its Dinos Everywhere exhibit intact. More than 40 animatronic dinosaurs will be visible throughout the park without the need for an extra ticket. New safety measures in place for the opening include requirements for face masks guests aged 2 and older, social distancing signage and markings throughout the zoo, additional hand sanitizing stations and some buildings, including The Carousel, Motor Safari tram rides and indoor animal spaces, will be temporarily closed.

Shedd Aquarium

Opening: July 1 members, July 3 general public

Shedd Aquarium guests must purchase tickets in advance due to new timed admission entry. Expect new safety requirements in place to keep visitors safe and healthy. You should also expect social distancing measures, mandatory masks for people over age 2 and increased cleaning and air filtration. The 4D theater and aquatic presentations continue to be on hold to avoid large gatherings.

360 Chicago

Opening: July 1

The 360 Chicago Observation Deck will reopen with limited capacity and masks required for guests ages 2 and older. The deck will maintain 25 percent occupancy so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Floor indicators, floor directional arrows, posted reminders and instruction from staff will assist guests in following social distancing practices. 

Chicago Architecture Center

Opening: July 3

The Chicago Architecture Center will reopen five days each week with seven new models on display in the Drake Family Skyscraper Gallery. The CAC has also reinstated nearly 50 of its walking tours that require masks. Tickets can be purchased online and masks are required inside the building. Guests are encouraged to ride the elevators alone or with only one member of their own party. 

Skydeck Chicago

Opening: July 3

Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago is reopening weekends only using a timed ticketing system. Markings on the floor will help guests maintain social distancing and face coverings for patrons older than 2 years will be required indoors and in all parts of the Willis Tower building. Elevator and Skydeck capacity limits have also been reduced. 

Cosley Zoo

Opening: July 6 members, July 8 public

Safety measures will include a one-way path through the zoo, signage encouraging social distancing between groups, increased cleaning and sanitization procedures, the closure of some indoor spaces and high-touch areas, and masks will be required for all guests over the age of 2 when social distancing cannot be maintained. Pre-reserved, timed tickets will be required for all admissions and will be available online beginning July 1 for members and July 3 for the general public. 

Discovery Center Museum

Opening: July 8

Advanced online reservations are required for two-hour shifts. Temperature checks and health screenings will apply to both staff and guests, and hand sanitizer will be available for use as guests enter the doors. Staff and all guests ages 6 and older are required to wear face coverings; guests 5 and younger are encouraged to wear masks, but not required. Face coverings are not required in the outdoor park when social distancing can be maintained. Increased outdoor experiences and demonstrations will allow for increased social distancing.

Illinois Holocaust Museum

Opening: July 15

Tickets must be purchased online before entering the building, and all visitors – including members and guests – must have a ticket. Opening day, July 15, is a free day for all visitors to celebrate the reopening. Face masks are required inside the building and all visitors will have their temperatures scanned with a thermal camera upon entry. Museum flow inside the attractions has been re-imagined and guests are asked to follow posted signs and arrows. Maps will not be handed out and the coat check will be closed. 

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Opening: July 17

Lemont’s newest outdoor attraction has been under construction during the stay-at-home orders. The adventure park with rope courses, ziplines and climbing walls plans to open this summer pending the guidelines that the state sets. Guests can prebook experiences and $15-$70 passes are available now.

Raging Waves

Opening: TBA

Raging Waves’ newest attraction, Aussie Mat Dash, a non-water-themed slide, will open when the park is ready to reopen its doors this summer. Patrons who purchased a season pass before April 30 will have the pass extended to June 30, 2021. For more information about the park’s opening date, visit the Raging Waves website.

Six Flags

Opening: TBA

Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee have created a reservation system to provide patrons with a timed ticket that will allow them to enter. The system also limits overcrowding at the gates and gives guests a definitive time to enter the park. The park is still scheduling its official reopening, and the reservation system will be up and running when the return date is announced. 

Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.