10 Things To Do In Chicago This Summer

The summer months in Chicago can give you a lot to do. The warm weather has finally arrived and you’ve got some nice long days to enjoy some amazing activities.


If you live in the Chicago area, you’ll know there are many months when you can’t do things out doors. This city sits in the northern part of the country on the coast of Lake Michigan. While the winters can be brutal, summers can be absolutely magical. No matter what you find to do, it’s going to be a lot of fun while you spend time doing different things this summer in Chicago.

Find the Nearest Festival

There’s almost always something to celebrate in the Windy City and various groups will get together and enjoy pledging a celebration to their heritage, location, or organization. Most festivals invite everyone around the area to join in. Find a group celebrating in the streets and enjoy some food, drinks, and a great time with some wonderful people. This is a great way to get the feeling of the city and get to know some of the people.

Summer is a Great Time for an Outdoor Movie

There are many parks and grassy seating areas where outdoor movies are shown during the Chicago summer months. You could enjoy a wonderful old flick or something new. All you need is a beach blanket, a few snacks, and your family or friends. This is a signature activity that residents of this amazing city enjoy when the weather is much warmer than the rest of the year. What movie is playing near you? Maybe that doesn’t matter as much as getting out and spending time together.

Enjoy a Meal Near the Water

A river runs through the center of the city, giving you a wonderful breeze coming off of it to give you a relaxing way to enjoy a meal with some relief from some of the sweltering heat. Chicago is home to many of the world’s most famous restaurants and is where you can find a great meal. Enjoy dining on the patio, especially if that patio puts you nest to the river or a restaurant pool. You’ll have the meal you want and a great experience.

Walk to the Local Museum

There are many museums in Chicago and summer is a great time to walk to one of the local museums where you can enjoy the amazing displays and artwork. This gives you a cultural experience that you can’t match in any other city. The walk could take you buy some of the most famous skyscrapers on your way to the museum where you’ll find the exhibits you want to enjoy. Enjoy the city and the life around you on your way to your favorite museum.

Now is the Time to Shop the Farmers Market

When the summer months begin, seasonal produce arrives at the various farmers markets around this big city. You might need to head to the outskirts to find the market you want to visit, but it’s well worth the drive. This is a great way to get some fresh fruit that you can enjoy on your way back home or pick up the veggies to go with your dinner tonight. This is an outdoor activity that you can’t experience in the wintertime.

Chicago is Home to Various Public Artworks

The sun is shining, there’s a wonderful breeze blowing, and the outdoor artwork around Chicago is waiting for you to enjoy the summer temperatures. Various parks around the city have artwork on display all year long. Now is a great time to walk around and have a lazy afternoon enjoying the artwork offered. Of course, you’ve got to take a picture at The Bean in Millennium Park, it has become a Chicago landmark.

Enjoy a Long Bike Ride

Explore some of the local streets on your bike. It’s probably a good idea to do this on roads that are less traveled around this big city, but you can explore some new areas and see some amazing scenery that you’ve never experienced in Chicago before. If you know of a bike club in the area, now is the time to join up and become part of the action of many riders heading out to enjoy the wonderful warm air and scenery around your home city.

Take a Boat Tour Through the City

The river that runs through Chicago is gorgeous in the summer. If you want to see the skyscrapers and downtown through a different lens, take a boat tour. This is wonderful way to learn more about the city you love and enjoy the beauty and architecture offered in this amazing city. Get out on the water and see things from a place that you don’t often get to. If you’re visiting this city during vacation, this is something you should have on your list.

Enjoy a Drink at a Rooftop Bar

Large cities often use vertical real estate to maximize space and availability. Imagine sitting at a rooftop bar that overlooks the city as the sun goes down. You’ll get to enjoy the beauty of the sunset and the lights that come on as the nightlife in Chicago comes alive. Not many events are quite as magical. Get ready for a wonderful drink at a bar that’s located high above the streets, giving you a birds-eye view of the city around you.

Get Lazy at the Beach

Its not the ocean, but Lake Michigan is big enough and has enough beaches along the Chicago area to be one of the most enjoyable places to go during the summer months. Get your sun tan oil, your favorite beach towel, and a good book. These are all the things you’ll need to have a great time relaxing at the beach during your lazy day. There’s nothing wrong with having a great time relaxing in the sand when you need a day away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

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