Top Summer Activities To Enjoy In Chicago

Chicago – often referred to as the ‘Windy City’ – is among the most visited cities in the United States, attracting an estimated 35 million tourists each year. However, despite drawing visitors year-round, Chicago is particularly popular during the summertime. The summer months see a host of opportunities open up in the city, regarding everything from sights and attractions, to activities – for example,such as seasonal festivals. All the while, however, Chicago never fails to deliver a certain inherent charm that it’s come to be famous for.

So, what are some of the city’s top summertime activities and attractions? One of them is undoubtedly in the city’s natural offerings. Chicago is home to a number of beautiful, green parks and botanical gardens, all of which come alive in the summer. Enjoy a picnic in Grant park (along the lakefront), or head to the North Side’s Lincoln Park – which also boasts running paths, tennis courts, baseball fields, a nature museum and a zoo. Jackson Park – a 600-acre jewel in the city’s South Side – is another popular attraction, while the 24.5-acre Millennium Park – one of the city’s newest additions – houses the Jay Pritzker Pavilion (an outdoor venue for concerts and performances), Crown Fountain, which offers hours of entertainment for children, and Cloud Gate – the famed sculpture that has been nicknamed “The Bean” by Chicago locals.

Of course, you’ll also want to take in many of Chicago’s most iconic sights while visiting during the summer – and what better way to enjoy this activity than with a tour. The city offers all kinds of guided tours, ranging from walking, biking and bus tours to helicopter and boat tours. No matter what you want to see in Chicago, there’s always a creative way to do it. If you prefer a self-guided tour, you’ll find a number of routes – usually in tourist guidebooks – for self-guided walking, biking, and driving tours.

Chicago’s summertime festivals offer just one more reason to visit the city during the warmer months. The Jazz Festival, running since 1974, brings some of the world’s most renowned jazz musicians to the city, while the Blues Festival, held in Grant Park, features four days of awe-inspiring Blues Music. However, among the countless summertime festivals hosted by the city, the Taste of Chicago is widely regarded as the most popular. Commonly called ‘The Taste’, this festival brings some 70 vendors to Grant Park, to sample delicious foods of all kinds. The event also features musical performances from artists such as John Mayer, Kenny Rogers, Soul Asylum, and more.

With so much on offer during the summer months, it’s no wonder so many tourists choose this time of year to visit Chicago. Just remember to book your flights and Chicago hotels early, as the best summertime deals tend to go fast.

About the Author

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Ace Frehley, Chicago House of Blues, Fractured mirror ’08

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