Best Summer Activities in Chicago

Lizg

16 Feb, 2022

Best Summer Activities in Chicago

Sweet home Chicago! Even though Chicago is home, there are so many things to explore in this city. Summer is the best time to visit because there’s an abundance of outdoor activities, warm weather, and gorgeous lakefront. Here’s my picks of the best summer activities in Chicago:

Millennium Park

Located in the Loop, Millennium Park is the largest park and one of the best summer activities in Chicago. Admission is free and is home to several attractions listed below:

  • Cloud Gate – Nicknamed ‘The Bean’, Cloud Gate is a work of art that reflects the skyline and people around it. Visitors can touch and interact with their own reflection.
  • Crown Fountain – Featuring a pair of glass block towers and splash pad, the fountain is both a video sculpture and work of art. The towers project up close facial images that visitors can interact with and touch. The faces randomly spray water and visitors can get wet under the fountain feature.
  • Pritzker Pavilion – This outdoor amphitheater located in Millennium Park, is home to the Summer Music & Film Series offering an array of free concerts and movies in the park.

TIP: If you are traveling with kids and plan to visit the Crown Fountain, it’s helpful to have them wear swimsuits so they can run in the fountain. Bring towels and a change of clothes.

Cloud Gate aka ‘The Bean’
Crown Fountain
Pritzker Pavilion

Maggie Daley Park

From Millennium Park, cross the BP pedestrian bridge to reach Maggie Daley Park. Featuring a climbing wall, skating ribbon (rollerblades or scooters allowed in summer), and a 3-acre children’s play garden full of themed play structures, it’s a kids dream!

TIP: Plan to spend several hours in Millennium Park, especially if you plan to visit Maggie Daley Park. You could easily be here for the day.

TIP: Kids get tired walking all day. We brought our kids Micro Scooters. They zipped around all day on these, and it made the experience more enjoyable for them.

John Hancock, Signature Lounge 96th Floor

Bypass the John Hancock observatory (92nd floor) and head to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor instead. Free of charge, you get a 360 degree view of the city. If you want to sit, you’ll need to order drinks and/or snacks which we’ve done before with our kids. In my opinion, these are better views of the city than Willis Tower. TIP: Visit the women’s bathroom for one of the best views of the city.

As one of Chicago’s top tourist attractions, Navy Pier is a lakefront destination. Full of shops, restaurants, theatre, museums, and the famous Centennial Ferris Wheel. Navy Pier offers many sightseeing or dining cruises. It’s a great way to see the city and skyline.

Chicago Skyline from a boat tour at Navy Pier

Architectural Tour

Take a ride down the Chicago River aboard Chicago’s First Lady, the Chicago Architecture Centers River cruise tour. Learn about the buildings along the river and the history behind them. The tour is 90 minutes long. Cruising season is April thru November. Purchase tickets and learn more about the Chicago Architecture Center and tour.

Honestly, I just scratched the surface with everything Chicago has to offer. There’s so much more, like museums, that I didn’t cover here. I’ll save that for next time!