Updates and Tidbits About Chicago

How to Stay Cool in Chicago During the Summer

Although Chicago is dubbed the Windy City, those breezes can be quite warm during the summer months. With temperatures, topped with humidity, reaching the triple digits, staying cool is a top priority. However, you don’t have to limit targeting outdoor Chicago attractions. Have some fun in the sun while cooling down with wet and wild Chicago activities.

Paddle Board on the Lake

Feel the warm breeze as the water soaks you while on board a paddle board. One of the most prominent Chicago summer activities is to get wet and wild on Lake Michigan. Contact one of the premier paddle board rental agencies in the city, such as Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Harbor and Wateriders — Chicago River Kayak Tours and Rentals

Sign Up for a Food Cruise

Stay cool during the Chicago summer while right on the water. Chicago attractions include food cruises that combine fun in the sun with air-conditioned facilities. Wendella Tours and Cruises offers a variety of themed boat rides that offer food, fun and beverages when the summer heat is too much. Opt for a food cruise, the fireworks cruise or even the famous Chicago Architecture river cruise.

Scuba Dive in the Windy City

Find underwater adventures, sea creatures and the thrill of a lifetime when booking a scuba dive excursion in Chicago. Stay cool while feeling free with a guided scuba dive through Windy City Charter or Underwater Safaris. The guided tours offer instructional workshops and mentors to help you along the way as you’re trying to stay cool in Chicago.

Make a Splash at Turtle Splash Water Park

Slightly west of downtown Chicago, you and the kids can wade in the water, make a splash on the slides and soak up the sun while cooling down at Turtle Splash Water Park. This interactive play place for all ages includes a giant wading pool, space for swimming laps, a kid’s playground and more.

Tour the Many Museums

Chicago is home to some of the most exquisite museums and when the weather is overly warm, you can escape the heat, gain a little culture and absorb the indoor air-conditioning. Stop in at the Chicago History Museum to brush up on the city’s past or stop in at the Art Institute of Chicago to analyze the oil paintings and abstract art. The Museum of Science and Industry is also a great way to stay cool and treat the kids to interactive activities during the summer heat.

You don’t have to remain indoors or stick to just exploring the fine museums of Chicago when the summer temps rise. Instead, get outside, active and stay cool with these Chicago attractions designed for those hot, muggy days. Check back often for even more Summer Chicago activities.

Things to Do With the Kids After a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field

Sitting in the stands at Wrigley Field is a great treat for the entire family, but if you’re looking for some fun to do in Chicago after the game, we have just what you need. Chicago attractions in downtown near Wrigley Field offer plenty of fun in the sun during Chicago’s baseball season. Treat the kids with these suggestions.

Sign the Wrigley Field Wall

If you want to give the kids a treat close to the ballpark, then add signing the Wrigley Field wall to your list of Chicago activities. While relatively new, this tradition began right after the Cubs won the World Series in 2016. The wall includes messages, memorials and signatures written in chalk. Bring some chalk and let the kids make their mark when looking for things to do near Wrigley Field.

Head Over to Sluggers

Just a jump and a hop from Wrigley Field sits Sluggers, a famous bar and grill that offers a scrumptious selection of meals and fun activities for the kids. Watch the game highlights on the large TV screens, test your own batting average in the batting cages or let the kids try their luck with the mini bowling lanes. Located on North Clark Street, this family attraction near Wrigley Field offers something for everyone.

Get in a Little Chicago Culture

Not far from Wrigley Field you can find entertainment options for the kids when attending a performance by the Strawdog Theatre Company. The large cast puts on traditional plays with a modern twist at the theater located on Berenice Avenue. The kids can learn more about Shakespeare productions after rooting on the Cubs when you stop in for a show after the game.

Make a Splash at Gill Park

Just a few blocks from Wrigley Field, you can treat the kids to an afternoon or evening of swimming, as well as opportunities to climb jungle gyms and play t-ball. Gill Park features a gymnasium, playground, t-ball field and swimming pool. Find family fun for all ages when visiting this Chicago attraction on West Sheridan Road.

It’s no secret that Chicago is a baseball town, through and through, but there is so much more to experience after taking in a thrilling game at Wrigley Field. From good eats and swimming adventures to play productions and Chicago summer attractions, you can find plenty of things to do near Wrigley Field that the kids will enjoy. Check back often for even more things to do in Chicago with the kids.

Chicago Food Tours You Won’t Want to Miss This Summer

You don’t have to be a foodie to indulge in the best eats in Chicago. Chicago Food Tours give you a chance to sample the most delicious cuisine from a variety of vendors and restaurants. This summer, as you plan your day trips to downtown Chicago, check out these specialized food tours to satisfy your taste buds.

Chicago Pizza Tour

What better way to sample a taste of Chicago than with a Chicago summer tour full of pizza? This customized food tour involves a half-day trip that takes you throughout downtown and neighborhoods to learn more about the city’s famous deep-dish pizza. Stops may include locations such as Pizaon’s, Piece Pizza, Macello and Coalfire or Lou Malnati’s. Bring your appetite when signing up for this Chicago food tour.

Signature Food Tour at Navy Pier

Sample Chicago’s best cuisine all in one place with this Chicago summer tour sponsored by Chicago Food Planet. This Chicago food tour includes food tastings at the local restaurants located on Navy Pier and allows you to not only see the stunning views of Lake Michigan, but also take advantage of the Chicago attractions at this windy city hotspot. Your personal tour guide also offers history of the Chicago cuisine scene.

Italian Food Tour Of Chicago

If authentic Italian food makes your mouth water, then this Chicago food tour is the one for you. The Italian Food Tour of Chicago, sponsored by Best Tours, offers you just the taste you’re looking for with stops in at some of Chicago’s best Italian eateries. The two-and-a-half hour culinary walking tour is led by a foodie expert and takes you through the Gold Coast districts and the Magnificent Mile. Sample the best meatball sub Chicago has to offer or opt for overstuffed Italian beef sandwiches.

Cupcake Tour Of Chicago

Sweeten your trip to downtown Chicago with a two-and-a-half hour cupcake tour. This specialized, sweet Chicago summer tour frequents dessert boutiques and establishments of culinary artisans along the Magnificent Mile. You can even learn more about the history of historic bakeries in downtown Chicago on this walking tour.

What better way to experience Chicago than to join in on a Chicago summer tour with delicious cuisine. With deep-dish pizza, Italian favorites and more, you’ll learn all about Chicago’s history while sampling the best food. Check back often for more summer tours that involve food and fun

Top Summer Chicago Attractions

If you’re planning a summer vacation in the Windy City or as a long-term resident, want to take advantage of the Chicago attractions, you’re in luck. Summertime in Chicago is full of music festivals, lakefront adventures and even unique dining experiences. We’ve got a list of things to do in Chicago in the summer you’ll want to keep for years to come.

Make a Splash at the Beach

You have choices when it comes to beaches in Chicago. Along Lake Michigan, Chicago is home to the North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach and the Shore Club. Build a sandcastle with the kids, wade in the water or bring along your scuba diving gear to check out the underwater creatures. You can also rent fly boards, paddleboards, jet skis and kayaks from outfitters, such as Jet Ski Chicago, Chicago Water Sports Rental at 31^st Street Harbor or Windy City Watersports.

Stroll Along Navy Pier

During the summer, one of the most popular Chicago attractions is Navy Pier, and for good reason. Navy Pier is home to a six-block span of entertainment, including a Ferris Wheel, dining establishments, shops, summer concerts and more. Head out for one of the boat tours available leaving from Navy Pier or rent a bike through Divvy to take your own ride along Lake Michigan. Adjacent to the city beaches, you won’t have to travel far for some summer entertainment at Navy Pier.

Dine at Unique Restaurants

Experience one-of-a-kind dining in Chicago when heading to these trendy restaurants. Located in Douglas Park, EL Ideas offers entrees that are, for a lack of better words, unique. Suck your beverages from baby bottles or try some freeze-dried coconut-lime powder served on a mirror with a razor blade at this Chicago attraction. Head to Norwood Park and you’ll get to experience a Chicago classic hot dog at Superdawg Drive-In. The carhop brings you your order and you get to watch a movie while scarfing down hot dogs topped with pickled green tomatoes, chili and more.

Whether you want a unique experience with summer dining or outdoor adventures in the heart of downtown, Chicago is the place to be for summer fun. The Windy City features music festivals, sandy beaches and boat rides on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, too. Check back often for even more suggestions for enhancing your time in downtown Chicago during the summer months.

What to Do in Spring in Chicago

Whether you live downtown or are visiting the windy city for a day or a week, you can find plenty to do since Chicago attractions are in full swing during the spring season. The weather is perfect for outdoor dining, attractions and fun in the sun without the sweltering heat the summer brings. In addition, now that the frigid winter has passed, locals and tourists swarm the downtown streets to find adventure. You can join them by taking part in these spring Chicago activities.

Bask in the Sun at Millennium Park

As one of the most impressive centerpieces downtown, Millennium Park features large public art such as “The Bean” and the Crown Fountain. Let the kids splash around in the water walls or take a selfie with the larger-than-life artwork as your backdrop. A trip to Millennium Park also provides you with access to Maggie Daley Park, which is an adjacent Chicago attraction. This park features a fun play garden where the entire family can get a thrill riding on the tub slides or tackling the 40-foot climbing wall.

Explore the Lincoln Park Zoo

If you’re in the mood to see lions, tigers and bears, the Lincoln Park Zoo is the perfect choice. During the spring, this free Chicago zoo is rampant with animals waking up from hibernation. Take a stroll through the scenic zoo to see monkeys, polar bears and more, or stop in at the Farm-in-the-Zoo area to pet farm animals. The Lincoln Park Zoo also features several in-house museums, such as the Butterfly Haven and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.

Indulge in Outdoor Dining

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy some good eats on the patio of Chicago’s best restaurants. If you’re in the mood for tacos and margaritas, as well as some fresh air, head to Big Star on North Damen Avenue. You can also bring along your pets to join you on the patio. Another popular Chicago restaurant offering outdoor dining is Homestead on the Roof, located on West Chicago Avenue. This cozy restaurant offers 85 seats on the patio and serves farm-to-table selections that include spring chicken and beets salad. Head over to Piccolo Sogno on North Halsted to taste a bit of Tuscany. This Chicago restaurant offers a garden patio with rustic dishes and an extensive wine list. And, you can’t spend a spring afternoon dining without stopping in at Chicago Q on Rush and Division. The personality of the fenced-in outdoor area complements the expansive brunch menu that includes breakfast quesadillas and French toast.

Springtime in Chicago allows you to enjoy the great outdoors without the summer heat. Take advantage of these Chicago attractions when the weather is perfect. Check back often for even more spring Chicago activities.