Even if you are not a Chicago Cubs fan, visiting the historic Wrigley Field is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Wrigley field is one of the last classic ballparks left, with its old manually operated scoreboard and iconic ivy-covered walls surrounding the field.
Although my little ones are born and raised in Texas, my influence as a Chicago native and die-hard Cubs fan has left its mark on my kids. Hearing my kids sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” with extra emphasis on the “Root, Root, Root for the CUBBIES” was literally music to my ears. The coolest part is that Wrigley has a live organist playing rally chants. The atmosphere and unmatched fan-base is indescribable. Believe me, the kids feed off this excitement and energy!
It is also worth noting that the food is incredible! While you certainly have the option to pack your own snacks, I truly feel that eating authentic Chicago hot dogs and Cracker Jacks is a vital part of the experience! I’m not even a big fan of hot dogs, but Wrigley’s Chicago Dogs will turn anyone into a hot dog lover! I will say the food is expensive, so it may be worth it to at least pack water bottles to avoid paying $6 for one at the game.
We were lucky enough to make it to the end with a “W” and sing along to “Go Cubs Go” after the game. Wrigley Field is, without a doubt, a classic kid friendly venue that you won’t want to miss out on. You will surely have a great time and make amazing memories with your little ones! My one and only complaint is the lack of shade, which I’ll admit that I failed to plan for. Make sure you are prepared with hats and lots of sunscreen!
I highly recommend going to one of the Sunday afternoon games for the ultimate kid friendly experience. Get there early if you can! Wrigley Field has Kid Sundays, in which they let the first 1,000 kids run the bases on the field. My kids were so disappointed that we didn’t make it early enough. They have been begging to go back ever since, so that they too can have the chance to run the bases at Wrigley Field.
One final tip worth mentioning is that if you have babies and toddlers, I suggest using a baby carrier over a stroller. Our visit was before the arrival of our youngest, so this was not something I considered. However, my sister-in-law tried to bring her daughter in a little umbrella stroller, and let’s just say she learned the hard way. Old historic ballparks are wonderful, but not ideal for strollers! Most new moms either had a sling or a carrier for their little one, as Wrigley is almost always crowded, and definitely not easy to get around with a stroller.
You can find all the important details on our Kid Friendly Venues app. Here is just an overview of tour and gameday tips for maximizing your experience at Wrigley Field.
If you have ever lived in or visited Chicago, you are aware of the plethora of public transportation options. I highly recommend utilizing public transportation rather than driving to Wrigley Field, especially on gamedays.
Popular public transportation options include the following:
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) also offers the RTA TRIP PLANNER to use while planning your trip to Wrigley Field.
Kids under two are not required to have a ticket, as long as they sit on your lap. That being said, it may be worth it to purchase an extra ticket if you have an especially wiggly toddler. Cubs games at Wrigley Field are often packed, so it would be a much more enjoyable experience to have that extra space. I also recommend purchasing tickets for seating next to one of the aisles rather than middle of the row for easier access to bathrooms.
For a next level experience of the historic Wrigley Field, you can buy tickets for a public tour of Wrigley Field. Even if you are not a Cub’s fan, you and your kids will enjoy the stories and sights to fully immerse yourselves in the charm and history of Wrigley Field. In fact, I still remember the legend of the billy goat and the curse of the Cubs story that was told by the tour guide when I was a little girl!
Prices are $30 per ticket and, and children under 2 are free. These guided tours are 75-90 minutes long and are offered for both gameday and non-gameday.
Non-gameday tours include the following:
Gameday tours include the following:
Allison M