Things to Do in Chicago This Summer

Chicago makes up for its blustery winters with summer sunshine and high temperatures. Whether you choose to spend a day in the city’s parks, lounge on one of Lake Michigan’s beaches, or retreat to the air-conditioned calm of a museum when the afternoon sun feels particularly strong, here’s how to spend summer in the Windy City.

• Go for a cruise along the Chicago River, and admire the city’s famous skyscrapers from the water’s edge.
• Couple a sightseeing excursion to Millennium Park with a night of music at the Chicago Jazz Festival.
• Enjoy unparalleled fireworks views when you celebrate the Fourth of July aboard an all-night party yacht.
• Head to Grant Park, and come hungry: The Taste of Chicago Festival is one of the city’s most popular summer events.
• Retreat to the Art Institute of Chicago for a cultural immersion when the thermostat soars (or when summer thunderstorms roll in).
• Enjoy a celestial show at the Adler Planetarium —and go stargazing at its companion Doane Observatory.
• Sun yourself on one of Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches, such as North Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach.
• Combine a fresh-air stroll with the opportunity to chow down during a food-themed, neighborhood walking tour.
• Commune with aquatic life during an excursion to the delightful Shedd Aquarium.
• Indulge in an urban oasis when you visit the blossoms at the Chicago Botanic Garden.