Chicago. For all the inclement weather endured during the winter months, the city really shines in the summer.
After the last snow has melted, and shovels and gloves are put away, it is time to take out the shorts and sandals.
Hibernation is over.
The Lakefront
Chicago is on the shores of the magnificent Lake Michigan.
There is a bike path along the shores for 26 miles, you can ride, run or walk.
Oak Street Beach is closest to the downtown, further north is North Avenue beach. The beach house is in a shape of a ship. Beach volleyball abounds here. There are city rec leagues that play games and sometimes there are professional tournaments.
All along you can play in the sand, watch the boats, or like my kids, run in the waves. Yes, waves. Sometimes the water can be pretty choppy. Fun times.
Summer can get sticky here, so the lake is welcome respite from the heat. The water can be pretty cold, err.. Refreshing!
Grant Park
Grant Park is large park located downtown Chicago on the lake. It is over 312 acres and features Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, The Art Institute and Museum Campus.
There are ball fields and gardens scattered throughout.
The park hosts for many festivals throughout the summer, including…Blues Fest, Jazz Fest and you can’t miss Taste of Chicago, a large Food and Music festival… eat and walk, walk and eat. No diets allowed here.
Millennium Park is a park within a park.
In the winter, there is an ice-skating rink.
But in the summer, you can take in mid-day concerts, see the bean, a large kidney-shaped silver structure, referred to as “the bean”.
and our kids favorite, Crown Fountain.
Crown Fountain is a glass block tower, where video images of resident’s faces are shown, and it appears that water flows out through their mouths. Splash pad extraordinaire.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is the “People’s Pier”.
First, a little history.
Navy Pier was first opened in 1916 but was called Municipal Pier No 2.
The name was changed in 1927 to honor those that served in the Navy during World War I.
Then, in the 1940s, it became a Naval Training School. The University of Illinois even had a satellite campus here.
Today it is something different.
It is a gathering place.
There are shops, restaurants, and a Ferris wheel. Tons of free entertainment events.
It is still a pier, after all, so there are boats. Large, fancy dinner cruise boats, to “tall ships,”, you can even take a water taxi. The Children’s Museum is here as well.
This used to be the site of ChicagoFest, a large music fest, a precursor to the Taste of Chicago (before it was moved to Grant Park).
During the summer, there are even fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday evenings!
Baseball
Chicago loves its baseball! So much so that we have two teams.
Chicago Cubs and the White Sox. North side vs South side. Never shall the two mingle. You are either a Cubs fan or a Sox fan.
A visit to Wrigley Field is a must for any baseball fan.
Built in 1914, it is the oldest and one of the most iconic Baseball stadiums in the country. The stadium is located within a neighborhood, which is pretty unusual for sports fields these days.
After the game, you can grab a bite to eat at a neighborhood restaurant. Both stadiums have easy access from the “L” (subway). The red line serves both.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo, is a large FREE zoo located in, Lincoln Park right in Chicago, not in some far away suburb. It was established in 1868, and is one of the oldest zoo’s in the country.
Beleive it or not, the zoo started with 2 pairs of swans! In 1870 other animals arrive. In 1878, it was decreed that the zoo must always remain free. And it still is today.
It is so nice to just walk right in and stroll around for as long as you wish. This is as zoos should be.
Today is it known for Gorillas, Big Cat House and Polar Bear exhibits.
Festivals Abound
You can visit neighborhood fests or large city-wide festivals.
Chicago’s neighborhoods all have a wholly unique vibe to them. Even after gentrification they still hold on to their roots to some extent. Festivals abound in every neighborhood. There are your basic street fests, Taste of (featuring local cuisine), music fests, arts & crafts, you name it…
Then you have the biggies…Air and Water Show, Blues fest, Jazz Fest and Taste of Chicago.
Even Lollapalooza (although I don’t know if I’d bring kids to that one). So, check out the city of Chicago website to see what festivals are going on when you are in town.
Travel Tip 1: if going to the Air and Water Show, get to the beaches early to claim your spot. It gets very busy.
Travel Tip 2: For going to the Taste (Taste of Chicago is usually referred to as simply “the Taste”), opt for the “Taste Portions” as usually booths will offer one item with a “taste portion”, which is a couple of bites. The regular portions can just be too much. Be prepared for walking and eating and eating and walking….
Chicago is such a fun city to visit during the summer.
C’mon let’s go!