Kelly Aiglon 2020-01-22 03:19:18
Chicago shines during the sunny summer months. Enjoy every second with these must-dos. ESCAPE TO THE LAKE Navy Pier is a great kickoff point for a Lake Michigan adventure. Soar almost 200 feet in the air on the Centennial Wheel, listen to a local band in the Miller Lite Beer Garden, and unwind with a drink and sweeping views at Offshore Rooftop & Bar, the world’s largest rooftop lounge. Stick around on Wednesday and Saturday nights for the Aon Summer Fireworks. Dine, dance, and see the sparkling skyline on a dinner cruise. Odyssey, Mystic Blue, and Spirit of Chicago offer multi-story luxury vessels that depart from Navy Pier and sail the lake. Go for a dip and enjoy some great people watching just steps from The Magnificent Mile at Oak Street Beach. Slam a volleyball over the net at North Avenue Beach and sip a mai tai at the on-site bar, Castaways. A bit further south at 31st Street Beach, ease into a yoga pose on a stand-up paddleboard with Chicago Water Sport Rentals, then grab a burger and listen to live music at Pier 31 Restaurant. The 18-mile Lakefront Trail hugs the shoreline and is great for biking, rollerblading, and walking while taking in the views. DO THE BEST FESTS The city’s popular downtown festivals put Chicago’s vibrant music, food, and culture on display. Put these on your list: Chicago Blues Festival in June; Taste of Chicago and Windy City Smokeout in July; Lollapalooza, the Chicago Air & Water Show, and the Chicago Jazz Festival in August; and Chicago Gourmet, held in September. HAVE A BLAST IN THE PARKS At Millennium Park, splash in the interactive Crown Fountain, snap a selfie in the reflection of the Cloud Gate sculpture (known as “The Bean”), catch live music and flicks at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion during the weekly Millennium Park Summer Music & Film Series, and wander through the colorful flowers at Lurie Garden. Cut the kids loose at Maggie Daley Park, where they can captain a pirate ship and skip across bridges in the Play Garden. You’ll be right within reach of Buckingham Fountain, where a nightly light show illuminates the majestic fountain’s waters every hour from dusk to 10 p.m., all summer long. At Chicago SummerDance, held weekly in Grant Park, learn a new dance style from local pros and then show off your moves to live music. ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAMS There’s nothing like the roar of the crowd at a baseball game. See the historic hand-operated scoreboard during a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Or celebrate home runs with fireworks at a Chicago White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field. WHEEL AROUND TOWN Pedal along the lake on a rental from Bobby’s Bike Hike, or soak up knowledge from their guided walking and food tours, departing from Navy Pier. You can rent both bikes and blades from Bike and Roll Chicago, stationed in Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Loop. For a different type of spin, motor around with Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours or City Segway Tours, where you learn how to maneuver a Segway before taking a guided whirl around lakeside sites. GO SKY HIGH Head up to Skydeck Chicago atop Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), the city’s tallest skyscraper. See some of the best views of the city from The Ledge, a series of glass boxes that hover 1,353 feet in the air. And don’t miss the breathtaking downward-facing views from TILT at 360 CHICAGO, the 94th-floor observatory at 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Center).
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