There’s no way to sugar coat it: the Museum of Ice Cream is one of Chicago’s sweetest attractions for families.
The experience-based museum transports guests to a sugar fantasyland with multi-sensory exhibits, whimsical dessert-themed playscapes and — best of all — unlimited ice cream treats.
Quick details about the Museum of Ice Cream
- Address: 435 N Michigan Ave. Suite G, Chicago
- Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday
- Cost: $23-$41-plus per person; ticket cost varies by availability. Children ages 2 and under are free.
- Parking: Reserve a convenient SpotHero parking spot in advance. Nearby parking varies from $12-$35-plus, depending on the day and time.
Upon entering the Museum of Ice Cream, guests are greeted by enthusiastic staff members who encourage visitors to pick an ice cream name. (When I visited, my name was Nikkity Split.) From there, families embark on a delicious self-paced journey through a variety of nostalgic, ice cream shop-themed rooms that offer exciting experiences, candy-coated photo opportunities and tons of delicious treats.
Things to do with kids at the Museum of Ice Cream
- Enjoy unlimited frozen treats, including the infamous Chicago hot dog flavored ice cream.
- Explore adorable multi-sensory installations and whimsical playscapes.
- Play dessert-themed mini golf.
- Take a dip in the iconic sprinkle pool.
- Snap sweet family photos.
- Sweeten your child’s special day by hosting a birthday party at the Museum of Ice Cream!
Is the Museum of Ice Cream worth it?
The Museum of Ice Cream is a great fit for families that love Instagrammable photo ops, kitschy experiences and sweet treats.
At $30-plus per person, a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream costs families significantly more than a trip to their local ice cream parlor. The sweet experience is great for a special occasion, like a birthday outing or family staycation experience, but runs a bit pricey if you’re just looking for an indulgent dessert.
It is worth noting that there are no traditional museum exhibits here. The immersive installations are fun and photo-worthy, but not especially informative. Museum of Ice Cream is less of a museum and more like if your favorite dessert shop came to life with exciting activities.
While littles will enjoy the scenery, sensory components and, of course, the ice cream, some of the activities and games are best suited for older kids. This makes the Museum of Ice Cream a great fit for families with kids of different ages, since there are a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy.
As a huge ice cream fan myself, I was super satisfied by all the dessert offerings at the Museum of Ice Cream. From crunchy chocolate-covered ice cream bars and soft serve cones to specialty flavors and unique treats, I left feeling satisfied — and with a bit of a sugar high!
Tips for visiting the Museum of Ice Cream with kids
- Chicago residents can unlock a 25% discount on Sunday-Thursday by entering their zip code as a promo code during online checkout.
- Tickets are only available online and are only valid for the date and time slot you choose at checkout. Be sure to arrive on time (and allow plenty of time for downtown parking).
- Bring your sweet tooth! There are so many yummy treats included in admission. Get your money’s worth by arriving a bit hungry — and plan on your kids not having much of an appetite for a large meal after your visit.
- A coat check is available from Nov. 1-March 1. That means you don’t have to worry about coats or winter gear covering your sweet outfits!
- The Museum of Ice Cream is wheelchair accessible.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
