The Travel and Adventure Show is getting ready to kick off its tour across the country, and while it’s a great place for adults, it can be fun for kids as well. On January 21st and 22nd, families won’t want to miss the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Family entertainment may be difficult to find during the winter, but the Travel and Adventure show will captivate parents and children of all ages.
A travel show is the perfect place to find inspiration for an upcoming trip. Travel experts, chefs, and celebrities gather at the convention center to share their wealth of travel knowledge with the masses. Some of the big names in travel will be on hand to share their expert advice. Pauline Frommer, Rick Steves, Peter Greenberg, and Samantha Brown are featured keynote speakers throughout the weekend and listening to them is worth the time.
On Saturday the event runs from 10am-5pm and on Sunday the event is from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $15 at the door, but for a limited time can be purchased for $11. There is also a discount for a two day ticket and children under 16 are free.
Parents might be in their element exploring the fabulous destinations and listening to travel advice, but what does a travel show have that children will love?
1. An opportunity to ride a camel
I didn’t believe this until I saw it with my own eyes, but there is a camel inside the arena. Children and adults can ride atop the camel and dream of far away lands. Definitely not something they can do every day.
2. A chance to experience food from around the world
At the Taste of Travel stage, chefs offer cooking demonstrations and samples of global cuisine. If you have an aspiring chef, or a child that just likes to eat, this is one place you’ll want to make a stop.
Food samples are a great reason to visit the show!
3. Going for a swim
For this one, you’ll want to be sure to bring a swimsuit and towel, because there is a heated pool inside the convention center so visitors can try scuba! Anyone age 10 and older can discover the fun and exciting sport of scuba diving in the comfort of a tropically warm pool (those ages 10 and 11 need to be accompanied by an adult in the pool). It’s a great way to try scuba diving and test some of the latest scuba equipment. You can also have a photo of yourself taken underwater as a keepsake of your “diving adventure.”
4. Watching wonderful cultural performances
On the Global Beats Stage, children have a chance to see and learn about dance performances from around the world and join in if they choose to do so!
There are performances everywhere!
5. Ride on a Segway and Trikkes
The whole family can try out Segways and Trikkes, both are fun ways to explore the city and they’ve brought them to the arena. Kids will love hopping on and riding around, the only problem might be telling them their time is up!
6. A chance to help parents plan the next family vacation
With over 350 U.S. and international destination experts at the show, there are plenty of people available to answer questions you or the kids might have regarding your next vacation. Maybe the kids want to visit a tropical island, take a cruise, go on safari, or visit an amusement park. Whatever it is, there will be someone there to answer their questions and yours.
This may have convinced him to visit Arizona!
There are many destinations and companies at the Travel and Adventure show that cater to families such as the Arizona Office of Tourism (who had many hands on activities for kids last year), Disney, and Old World Wisconsin. There are many other destinations offering family friendly activities and rest assured you will be ready to book your next trip once you leave!
They can’t wait to go again!
Tips for Your Visit
1. Have a plan – Know what you want to see, who is speaking when, and where the booths you want to visit are located. You can even download an app for the Travel and Adventure Show to your phone to have all the information in the palm of your hand!
2. Bring money for food – There are food and drinks available for purchase and children will get hungry. It’s best to be prepared. If you want to eat after, here are my restaurant recommendations for nearby Rosemont.
3. Leave coats and heavy items in the car – The temperature is warm inside the building and you definitely won’t need a coat. If possible leave them in the car so you don’t have to carry them around with you. There’s a coat check outside the front door in case you forget, but you have to pay for it.
4. Come ready to mingle – Everyone here wants to talk. Be willing to ask questions, they want to answer them for you! There are giveaways and prizes at certain booths and information to be shared. Come with an open mind and leave with a mind full of vacation ideas!
Have you been to a Travel and Adventure Show? Any tips you would add?
Chicago isn’t the only destination for the Travel and Adventure show in 2017. It’s also coming to Washington D.C., Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco/Bay Area so hopefully you can find one near you.
You can also read more about one of the featured speakers in my interview with Pauline Frommer from last year.
Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary media pass for the Travel and Adventure Show and the post contains affiliate links, however all opinions are my own.
Looking for hotels near Rosemont? Read our review on Loews Chicago O’Hare and see pricing and additional details.
