A successful educational field trip takes planning and forethought to ensure every student gets the most enriching and exciting experience possible. Chicago, Illinois, is chock full of fascinating destinations perfect for a scholarly outing.

From museums to theaters, there are tons of unique places for students to explore and learn about around the city. 

We are breaking down some of the best destinations for educational excursions in Chicago and some key considerations for planning the best trip possible.

5 Best Educational Attractions in Chicago

The Windy City is home to many memorable destinations for engaging academic excursions. Explore the following destinations for educational field trips in the Chicago area:

1. Volo Auto Museum

If you are looking for a diverse and entertaining location for your students, Volo Auto Museum is an excellent choice. With 45 exhibits across 65 acres, Volo gives visitors an inside look into the history of automobiles and transportation. 

Schools can bring their students on a group visit for a day of learning. The exhibits include historic cars, Hollywood artifacts, military relics and more. Classes can explore the museum and then grab a bite to eat at Grams Central Station.

The Volo Auto Museum is conveniently located at 27582 Volo Village Road and has easy parking for school buses or vans. 

2. American Writers Museum

Teaching your students about the influence of writing on culture and history is easy at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. English classes will love exploring the exhibits and getting to know more about famous writers like Ray Bradbury, Frederick Douglass and Hisaye Yamamoto. 

The museum features various permanent and temporary exhibits spanning centuries of literature and poetry. Class trips are interactive and engaging as students learn about the history and art of writing in the United States.

The American Writers Museum is located on the second floor at 180 North Michigan Avenue in Downtown Chicago.

3. Adler Planetarium

If you're looking for interactive and mesmerizing Chicago field trip ideas, check out the Adler Planetarium at 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. 

The planetarium overlooks Lake Michigan and hosts field trip days throughout the year on Tuesdays and Thursdays exclusively for school students. Your class can explore the exhibits and shows dedicated to astrophysics and astronomy. 

Your class can learn about our solar system, moon, stars and everything in between through interactive presentations. 

4. Chicago Children's Museum

Another awesome field trip destination is the Chicago Children's Museum at 700 East Grand Avenue on Lake Michigan. 

Elementary classes can explore various exhibits organized according to the children's ages. There is a dinosaur expedition where kids can put their paleontologist hats on and an art studio where they can explore their creative side. The Water City exhibit is a favorite among students and includes many lessons, including water behavior and conservation principles. 

With so many hands-on exhibits, the Chicago Children's Museum is the perfect place to let your students learn in a tactile and exciting way. 

5. Garfield Park Conservatory

Teaching your students about the importance of the natural world is easy at the Garfield Park Conservatory. It is located at 300 North Central Park Avenue in Chicago and features one of the largest greenhouses in the country. 

The Garfield Park Conservatory spans two acres and features thousands of plants, including tropical and rare species. Exploring the greenhouse can deepen your students' connection to nature and inspire the next generation of biologists. 

Students of all ages can learn and expand their understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting it. 

Field Trip Logistics in Chicago

Field trips are an incredible way for students to connect with the outside world and apply what they are learning in the classroom to real life. Excellent educational Chicago field trips take forethought and planning to ensure they run smoothly. 

Once you determine where your class is going to visit, there are some important logistical considerations to keep in mind for the most engaging learning experience, including:

Parental Permissions

Firstly, you'll need to get permission from your students' guardians for the educational excursion. They should sign a consent form well in advance of the trip. Let them know exactly where the class is going, what they can expect from the day and if there are any special considerations, such as buying lunch or arriving to school outside of normal hours. 

Chaperons

Chaperons are another important consideration when taking an educational field trip. You may need additional adults to help supervise your students throughout the day. 

Consider the kids in your class and if it would be beneficial to break them down into smaller groups with a dedicated adult leader. 

Always be sure to ask your students' parents and guardians to sign up to supervise the trip well in advance so they have time to take off work and make other arrangements for the excursion.  

Expectations

Setting clear expectations with your students before a trip can be highly beneficial. Let them know what conduct is acceptable and unacceptable during their visit. It can also be helpful to provide an itinerary for the day so your class knows what to expect from the excursion. 

Transportation

Transportation is a very important logistical consideration as well. Will you be taking a school bus or van? You'll need qualified drivers and available vehicles. Be sure to check out the parking situation at the destination before scheduling your rides. Also, consider the traffic during your commute to the field trip and how it will impact your arrival and departure times. 

Snacks and Meals

If you're traveling during the school day, you'll likely need to sort out a plan for snacks and lunchtime. Some destinations will have places to buy food and dine, while others may require your students to bring a packed lunch. 

Educational Takeaways

Finally, be sure to instill the importance of engaging with the information and exhibits on a field trip with your students. Their educational takeaways and experiences are the main reasons why they are going on an excursion in the first place. 

Get Tickets to Volo Auto Museum for Your Upcoming Excursion

If you're looking for a diverse and exciting field trip destination in the Chicago area, check out everything Volo Auto Museum has to offer. 

Beyond our extensive collection of rare cars, we also have Jurassic Gardens and The Titanic exhibit that will take your educational experience to the next level. Kids of all ages can enjoy what Volo has to offer. Plus, groups can enjoy a delicious snack or meal at Grams Central Station. 

Are you ready to plan your field trip to Volo Auto Museum? Get tickets online or call us at 815-385-3644 with any questions.