Rosalind Cummings-Yeates 2024-01-06 06:33:02
Dip into our Lake Michigan and Chicago River waterfronts, where you can take a boat cruise, dine on the water, and swim along sandy beaches. CHICAGO RIVER Spend the day on the Chicago Riverwalk, offering beautiful riverside views, attractions, and fun. Stop by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum to learn about the city’s famous moveable bridges and the Chicago River system. Explore the cascading fountains and commemorative markers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza. Shop for locally made goods at the Community Marketplace. Then grab a bite at a scenic riverfront cafe or sip a brew at a beer garden. Discover Chicago’s storied architectural history at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). Interactive exhibits and programs, along with a variety of tours, illustrate why Chicago is known as the city of architecture. The CAC also features displays on the city’s diverse neighborhoods and the legendary architects who helped shape Chicago. Take a boat tour for a different perspective on the city. Hop on the iconic Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady for a fascinating, docentled tour of architectural gems. Wendella Tours & Cruises offers a number of themed tours, including holiday fireworks and a beer-and-barbecue cruise. Join Mercury Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline for a thrilling urban adventure that includes the popular canine cruise. Get a history lesson aboard a retired Chicago fireboat on a sunset brew cruise with Chicago Fireboat Tours. Glide along the river in a glass-enclosed boat with elegantly plated dishes and panoramic vistas on a City Experiences Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River. Rent a cycle boat, a retro boat from the ‘50s or ‘60s, or even a yacht from Chicago Electric Boat Company. Paddle down the river on a guided tour of Chicago landmarks and history with Urban Kayaks. End your day with the spectacular Art on THE MART. This digital art display synced with music is projected across the 2.5-acre river facade of THE MART, making it the largest permanent art projection in the world. Grab a spot along the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells and Lake streets for the best view. LAKE MICHIGAN Soak up the splendor of Lake Michigan while jogging or walking along the Chicago Lakefront Trail, which stretches 18.5 miles along the shoreline. You can also rent wheels from Bike and Roll Chicago and cycle down the trail solo or join a guided tour. Head to the landmark Navy Pier and ride the sky-high Centennial Wheel for amazing lake views. Check out the other attractions at Pier Park, including the soaring Wave Swinger. For an extra adrenaline rush, the new Flyover is a multisensory flight over the city of Chicago. Catch free concerts or splash in the interactive fountain at Polk Bros Park. On summer nights, watch the dazzling fireworks shows held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. See award-winning productions at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, home to The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, one of the most innovative theatre spaces in the world. Drink craft brews at the Navy Pier Beer Garden as you listen to live music. Navy Pier is the launch point for a number of sightseeing cruises. Rip through the waves on a thrilling Chicago Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour or sail away with Shoreline Sightseeing for a narrated skyline cruise. Hop aboard the four-masted Tall Ship Windy schooner for a unique skyline tour. Enjoy refined dining on City Experiences Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan, with plated dishes and a breezy rooftop deck. Back on shore, find regional American dishes and serene water views at The Lakefront Restaurant, housed inside the historic Theater on the Lake. Sprawl out on the sand at one of Chicago’s many beaches that line the lakefront’s 26 miles. Lounge at Oak Street Beach, noted for people watching and its beautiful Chicago cityscape backdrop. One of the city’s most popular beaches, North Avenue Beach hosts sand volleyball tournaments and many different water sports. Enjoy the chill vibe of music and bites at Reggies on the Beach at 63rd Street Beach. And view one of Chicago’s most striking skyline vistas at Rainbow Beach. Try water sports like jet skiing with Jet Ski Chicago or stand-up paddleboarding with Chicago SUP, both based at North Avenue Beach. Or paddle the lake on a kayak from Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Harbor.
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