Chicago Alfresco
based on 7 votes
Winter is past. Let's go out and enjoy spring in all its glory!
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Glencoe, Chicago
- Category: Best of
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors, Sports buffs, Beachgoers
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Appeals to: Business travelers, Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists, Pet owners
- Seasons: Spring, Summer
- Tags: Chicago, Festivals, Music, Gardens, Parks, Sports, Culture, Architecture
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1. Chicago Botanic Garden
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| With 23 gardens and 3 native areas, the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe is a wonderful destination to spend the day. In addition to the strolling through gardens themselves, you might wish to experience the Great Chef Series or enjoy the carillon concerts or the Grand Illumination of Evening Island. The Chicago Botanic Garden is easily gotten to by Metra. Bicycling is permitted in certain areas of the gardens. |
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2. A Walk in the Park
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Chicago is blessed with the largest park system in the United States. Three of the major parks in Chicago are: Jackson, Grant and Lincoln.
Jackson is the furthest to the south, and is where the Columbian World's Fair of 1893 was held. A few reminants of it still remain--most notably, the Museum of Science and Industry. The Osaka Japanese Garden and Wooded Island are located there and are well worth a visit to commune with nature.
Grant Park ("Chicago's front yard") contains the Museum Campus (where the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History and Adler Planetarium are located) as well as Buckingham Fountain. The major music festivals, as well as the Taste of Chicago, are held in Grant Park. Other notable events held there: the Summerdance series and the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival.
Lincoln Park's highlights include the Lincoln Park Zoo including the Farm in the Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, a Nature Museum and Cafe Brauer, where you can rent swan and other paddle boats.
In addition, the Chicago Park District has many activities and events available to the general public. So if you wish to sail, golf, swim, picnic, play tennis, enjoy a free theatre production or movie - or simply laze in the sun, the parks are the place to be.
Fun facts: Jackson Park has a population of feral monk parakeets. A statue of Lincoln sits in Grant Park and a statue of Grant is located in Lincoln Park. |
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3. Millennium Park - Concert Series at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
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| Starting at the end of spring and continuing through the summer months, the free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park are a great way to enjoy a picnic dinner, listening to fine entertainment. In addition to classical performances by the Grant Park Symphony and others, the Music Festival also includes some special events this year, such as the 50th anniversary of the Joffrey Ballet. |
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4. The Lakefront
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One of the very best things to do in Chicago is to take a walk along the lakefront. Luckily, that is also one of the easiest things to do, as Chicago enjoys a lakefront path which extends 18 miles along Lake Michigan for walking, running, biking or rollerblading.
You can rent a bicycle at Navy Pier or Millennium Park, go on a bike hike with an organized group or even take a Segway tour to enjoy the sights. |
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5. Ravinia Music Festival
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| Ravinia is not located in Chicago but in Highland Park, and is easily accessible to those visiting Chicago by Metra, which even has a special "Ravinia Special" train departing from Ogilvie Transportation Center. Not only is Ravinia the summer home of the world-renown Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but showcases world-class entertainment of all musical genres every day of the week. You can choose a lawnseat or be more formal - picnic baskets can be purchased at the venue or bring your own--but you can also book a private party. A special evening under the stars. |
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6. The Beer Garden at Navy Pier
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| Navy Pier has many critics of it's "touristy" nature and of the crowds on weekends and holidays. But spending an evening on the far east end of Navy Pier at the Beer Garden is a fine, relaxing way to enjoy a drink, free entertainment and a great view of the city's skyline all lit up -- at a nominal cost. Navy Pier also has fireworks shows on certain dates. |
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7. The Chicago Green City Market
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So, you want to have a picnic...but where to get the food? Chicago has many farmer's markets around town...but one of the best places to go is the city's Green City Market.
The Chicago Green City Market has high quality/organic products available. Many of the chefs of our best restaurants frequent this market. In addition, there are many scheduled cooking demonstrations by those same chefs. |
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8. Neighborhood Festivals
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No mistaking this fact: No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to one of the neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has it's own distinct "atmosphere". And one of the best times to go is during a neighborhood festival.
The City of Chicago website posts a full listing of the neighborhood festivals, although each might have it's own specific website for it.
There is normally a small gate fee but the entertainment is usually free. |
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A day (or evening) at the old ball game is one of the true joys of warm weather.
Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is located on the north side of Chicago and is a mecca for ballpark enthuiasts, being only one of a couple of the old-time ballparks still in existence. The "Friendly Confines" is a true icon of Chicago, with its intimate atmosphere, ivy-covered walls and a scoreboard still changed by hand, although the bleacher section has undergone recent expansion. Wrigley Field also has tours on weekend days when the Cubs are "on the road". The one thing absolutely not to miss when you go: singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch.
The U.S. Cellular Field is the home of the White Sox, winners of the last World Series, and is located on the south side of Chicago. This is a modern ballpark. The question is: can the Sox repeat that accomplishment? |
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10. Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
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Sit back. Enjoy the sun on your face. Study the world-class architecture of the Chicago buildings along the Chicago River. Learn about Chicago's history and architecture. Simply a marvelous way to enjoy the spring!
In addition to the River Cruise, the Chicago Architecture Foundation also has many walking and bus tours available |
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Compliment ChiTownFriend
ChiTownFriend
Chicago native
