LAKE MICHIGAN Spanning 18.5 miles, the Chicago Lakefront Trail skims the shoreline of Lake Michigan, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll or jog. Or rent wheels from Bike and Roll Chicago or Bobby’s Bike Hike and cycle the trail solo or on a guided tour. Navy Pier offers 50 acres of shops, restaurants, and attractions, along with seasonal events and free dance, music, and film programs. Get a bird’s-eye view of the city atop Pier Park ’s 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel . Or take a ride on the high-flying Wave Swinger . Experience extraordinary immersive worlds at Illuminarium . Get an adrenaline rush on Flyover , a multisensory flight simulation over Chicago. At Polk Bros Park see a cultural performance and cool down in the interactive fountain. See innovative Tony Award-winning plays and musicals that celebrate the works of The Bard at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater . Enjoy live music and craft brews at the Navy Pier Beer Garden . On Wednesday and Saturday nights throughout the summer, watch dazzling free fireworks . Departing from Navy Pier, Chicago Seadog Extreme Thrill Ride offers a high-speed experience, while Shoreline Sightseeing features narrated skyline cruises. Or hop aboard the four-masted Tall Ship Windy schooner for a one-of-a-kind Lake Michigan tour. Spend an upscale evening on the water with a three-course plated meal aboard a City Experiences Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan. Or sample Midwestern fare on the seasonal patio of The Lakefront Restaurant , located just north of Navy Pier in Lincoln Park. With some 26 miles of lakefront, Chicago has many beautiful beaches for sunning and swimming. Oak Street Beach offers terrific people watching and skyscraper views, while North Avenue Beach features lively volleyball games and water sports aplenty. For awesome skyline vistas, head to Rainbow Beach . Part of the South Shore Cultural Center, South Shore Beach has its own nature sanctuary. Enjoy eats, drinks, and live music at the nearby South Shore Social Beach Club . Take your pick of water sports on the lake. Try stand-up paddleboarding at Chicago SUP and jet skiing at Jet Ski Chicago , both at North Avenue Beach . Enjoy kayaking, SUP, and jet skiing at Chicago Water Sport Rentals at 31st Street Harbor . Bobby’s Kayak Company at Ohio Street Beach offers kayak rentals, as well as guided lake tours. Rainbow Beach 24 choosechicago.com ALEJANDRO REYES
Chicago Visitors Guide 2025: Page 24
