Summer Fun in Chicago
My favorite time of year in Chicago is fast approaching, and hopefully our unseasonable weather will soon make way for warm, beautiful evenings and fun, sunny days. In anticipation of the warmer months, I have compiled a few of my top choices for summer activities as well as an in-depth list of events occurring in and around the Chicago area.
At the top of both my “Things to Do” and “Places to See” lists is the Riverboat Tour offered every day by the Chicago Architecture Center, located at Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive. If you’re looking for a rainy day activity, the new Architecture Center is interactive and child-friendly and the fascinating new city model alone is worth the trip.
Recently, I was wandering on Michigan Avenue and came across The American Writer’s Museum, located on the second floor of 180 N. Michigan Avenue. One of my favorite exhibits in the museum was the interactive typewriter installation. I enjoyed watching the young writers master the challenge of manipulating the paper into the machines and returning the carriage when they wanted to start a new line. My late father-in-law owned and operated Federal Typewriter on Fullerton Avenue for decades and he would have loved watching today’s kids experiment with the machines.
Of course, any list of things to do in Chicago must include a walk through Millennium Park. A stroll over the BP Pedestrian Bridge is a great way to take in the views of the Chicago Skyline behind you and Lake Michigan in front of you. The bridge connects the Pritzker Pavilion to Maggie Daley Park on Columbus Drive. The bridge was designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry, who wasn’t interested in designing in Chicago but had expressed his desire to “one day build a bridge.” He was courted into designing the 935-foot curving bridge after learning about the Pritzker family’s hope to connect the music pavilion to the lakefront.
I have included a stunning aerial photograph of Millennium Park. The photo was taken by Jack Gillespie and his photographs of Chicago are spectacular. Make sure to check out more of Jack’s work on Instagram at @visuals.by.jack.
I know how difficult it can be to sit back and take a day or two off when we are not officially on vacation. The long winters and short summer and fall seasons beckon us to enjoy our fantastic surroundings and all that Chicagoland has to offer. Don’t forget to check out the event list included with this blog. Happy Summer in Chicago!
2019 Summer Events in Chicago
June 18-23 • Swedish Days | Geneva
June 21-23 • Country LakeShake | Northerly Island
June 21-22 • Winnetka Music Festival | East Elm & West Elm Business District
June 22 • Craft Beer Festival | Morton Arboretum
June 22-23 • Country Fountain Square Artisan Summerfest | Evanston
June 22-23 • The Art Center’s Festival of Fine Arts | Highland Park
June 29 • Cardboard Regatta | Lake Ellyn in Glen Ellyn
June 29 • Dog Days | Cantigny Park in Wheaton
June 30 • Chicago Pride Parade | Starts at Broadway Street & Montrose Avenue
July 3-4 • Chicago Fireworks | Navy Pier
July 3-6 • Naperville RibFest | Knoch Park
July 3-7 • Frontier Days Festival | Arlington Heights
July 3-7 • Oak Fest | Oak Forest
July 4 • Evanston Fireworks | Clark Street Beach
July 4 • Fourth Fest | Highland Park
July 4-6 • Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival | Lisle
July 6-7 • Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival | Glencoe
July 10-14 • Taste of Chicago | Grant Park
July 11-14 • Railroad Days | West Chicago
July 12 • 15th Annual Uncork Barrington | Metra Parking Lot
July 12-14 • Windy City Smokeout | United Center Parking Lot
July 13 • Naperville Ale Fest | Naper Settlement
July 13 • 16th Annual Barrington Brew Fest | Center of Town
July 17-20 • Sidewalk Sale | Winnetka • July 19-20 | Northfield
July 17-21 • Kane County Fair | St. Charles
Aug 3 • Brew Fest | Wheaton
Aug 3-4 • Art at the Glen | Glenview
Aug 6 • Art dans la Rue – French Fair | Oak Park
Aug 10 • Arlington Million Horse Race | Arlington Heights
Aug 10-11 • Chicago Botanic Garden Kite Festival | Glencoe
Aug 11 • Cantigny Park’s French Connection Day | Wheaton
Aug 16-18 • Art & Big Fork Festival | Evanston
Aug 17 • Oak Park Micro Brew Review | 100 N Marion Street
Aug 17-18 • Chicago Air & Water Show | North Avenue Beach
Aug 23-25 • Skokie’s Backlot Bash | Downtown Skokie
Aug 23-25 • Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts | Lake Ellyn Park
Aug 24 • Zoo Brew | Brookfield Zoo
Aug 25 • Chicago Triathlon | Monroe Harbor
Aug 30 – Sept 2 • Naperville Last Fling | Riverwalk Park
