Trick-or-treating in Chicago is here! You know, that annual excuse to get the family dressed up, sugared up, and out for a spooky adventure? You’ve got the perfect Halloween costume and trick-or-treat bag (plus an extra bag for when that one gets full). Now, you just need to find that extra-special neighborhood to trick-or-treat near Chicago. 

Whether you’re looking for haunted mansions, festive parades, live entertainment, or over-the-top decor, we have the best neighborhoods in Chicago for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun for families. If you strategize, you can even hit up multiple events for maximum returns on that costume.  

Need more Halloween ideas? Check out our Halloween Guide.

Good restaurants are one thing, but for parents, kid-friendly restaurants in Chicago are something else altogether. A place where someone else cooks and cleans up while the little ones are entertained for long enough that a conversation between partners (and enjoying your dinner) is possible? Yes, these places exist! 

We found the best restaurants in Chicago and the nearby suburbs where kids can play or have something extra special to keep them busy while you dine. From playgrounds to bowling and even planes landing and taking off, whether you have a tot, a tween, or a teen, there’s something for everyone.

With social distancing measures in place, most of us are keeping in touch with friends and relatives via virtual hangouts on Zoom, HouseParty, FaceTime, and other video apps. While nothing can replace real face time with friends and family, video conferencing can bring its own unique brand of fun. From virtual backgrounds to interactive games to special guests (who knew goats had such screen presence?), these tips and tricks will add some pizzazz to your next online gathering.

For more creative ways to connect while keeping socially distant, check out our ideas for car parades, neighborhood scavenger hunts, and more.