The Windy City has endless activities to spend your summer. With 77 neighborhoods offering different attractions, you can easily complete your bucket list no matter where you go. Here’s how to beat the city heat while having fun with these top 10 things to do in Chicago in the summer.
When Does Summer Start in Chicago?
Chicago’s summer begins in June and ends in late September. The season has high humidity, heat, and is a popular time for tourists, so planning your activities is recommended when exploring the city during this time.
Sunny Days in the Windy City: Discover the Top 10 Things to Do In Chicago In the Summer
Below are the top 10 things to do in Chicago in the summer and why they’re the best during this season.
1. Stay Cool at Crown Fountain
Credit: Millennium Park Foundation
Dip your feet in ankle-deep water at Crown Fountain. Located in Millennium Park, it’s not your average fountain. It has two 50-foot towers with LED interactive video screens displaying 1,000 Chicago resident faces–that even pour water out of their mouths! It’s a massive community hub that’s 232 feet long and 48 feet wide, with a stunning black granite pool showing skyline views in the water’s reflection. Crown Fountain is the perfect way to stay cool with families and friends during Chicago’s hotter season.
2. Sit in the Sand and Swim at Osterman Beach
Chicago summertime means hitting the beach. Located in the Edgewater neighborhood, Osterman Beach is one of the most popular lakeside beaches because of its picturesque location along Lake Michigan. In addition to beautiful blue water and soft sand with skyscraper background views, there are plenty of waterfront activities. Their amenities include kayak or canoe rentals, designated grill areas, and even free Wi-Fi!
3. Attend a Summer Festival at Grant Park
Take advantage of this season by attending Chicago festivals in the summer at Grant Park. Located in the Chicago Loop neighborhood, it’s a massive park with over 312 acres that hosts annual summer festivals where people from all over come to attend. From the Lollapalooza Music Festival to the Taste of Chicago food festival, it’s known as “Chicago’s Front Yard” for a reason.
4. Explore the Chicago Riverwalk at Night
If the heat and humidity are too high during the day, walk along the Chicago Riverwalk at night. Located in the River North neighborhood, the 27-foot waterfront walkway illuminates, making it practical to explore outdoors during the summer. The path is 3.4 miles long, with plenty to do along the way, like ferry boat tours and ART on the MART light installations.
5. Crack a Cold One at the Largest Rooftop Bar in the World
Credit: Offshore Rooftop
Did you know that Offshore Rooftop is the largest rooftop bar in the world? Located in the Streeterville neighborhood, you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails or an ice-cold beer on their 20,000-square-foot terrace with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Offshore Rooftop has a full-service bar with happy hours and menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. From blood orange margaritas to lavender lemonade mocktails, it’s the perfect way to wind down after walking around the city all day.
6. Enjoy the A/C in Chicago’s Bustling Comedy Clubs
Credit: Condé Nast Traveler
Chicago has historically been a hub in the comedy scene and a great way to cool off in the A/C during the summer. The city has many notable venues where famous comedians started their careers, such as Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Some of the most popular comedy clubs in Chicago are:
•The Second City: The oldest improv theatre troupe in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, with two stages, seating up to 290 people.
•Laugh Factory: Weekly stand-up shows and open mic nights, seating up to 400 people in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
•Annoyance Theater: The longest-running improv and sketch comedy performance space, with two intimate stages, seating up to 100 people.
From stand-up comedy to group improv shows and full-service bars, you’re sure to catch a laugh at any local venue.
7. Check Out Beautiful Art Exhibits Indoors
Credit: Art Institute of Chicago
Visiting museums is one of the easiest summer activities in Chicago because there are so many throughout the city’s neighborhoods–and a great way to cool down.
Some museums that are worth checking out for their art exhibits are:
•Art Institute of Chicago: An award-winning museum, consistently voted as one of the best museums in the world. Located near Millennium Park, it has almost 300,000 global artwork collections with rotating exhibitions, including Japanese print portraits and Ancient Roman sculptures.
•WNDR Chicago: A top-rated immersive art museum with over 15 multi-sensory installations in the Chicago Loop. They also host special summer events, like A Night in Green Gala and WNDR After Dark.
•Chicago Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: One of the largest science museums in the world, in the Hyde Park neighborhood. They have diverse exhibits for all ages, including historical submarine tours, aircraft flight simulators, and a giant dome theater.
If you’re looking for fun, interactive attractions for families, friends, or unique date nights, add local museums to your Chicago summer bucket list.
8. Take a Boat Tour Along Navy Pier
If you don’t know already, Navy Pier is one of the most iconic Chicago summer attractions. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood, it’s a city landmark that’s a major piece of Chicago’s cultural history–known as the People’s Pier. Navy Pier attracts people from all over to visit, stretching over six blocks, with over 50 acres of parks, restaurants, and things to do.
You can grab brunch on a boat cruise with cooling breezes on Lake Michigan or ride on high-speed boats with 360-degree spins for thrill-seekers. During the summertime, Navy Pier also throws a spectacular fireworks show every Wednesday and Saturday night.
9. Eat Al Fresco at Night or Inside During the Day at Local Restaurants
Credit: VU Rooftop Bar
The Windy City is known for its incredible and diverse dining scene. Many restaurants have rooftop terraces to eat al fresco at night when the weather is cooler, or you can eat inside stunning settings during the day.
Some of the top-rated places to eat in Chicago are:
•VU Rooftop Bar: Located in the Chicago Loop, they have a 13,000-square-foot rooftop area with two patios, three bars, and American-style cuisine with cityscape views.
•The Purple Pig: Located in Streeterville, they’re a top-rated Mediterranean restaurant, serving Italian, Greek, and Spanish cuisine in an open-kitchen setting.
•Time Out Market: Located in the Fulton Market District, it’s a massive 50,000-square-foot food hall with over 15 eateries, three world-class bars, and a rooftop terrace with a wall video installation.
From coastal Indian to German-American and Ethiopian cuisine, your tastebuds will travel all over the world.
10. Shop Through the Magnificent Mile
If you aren’t familiar with the Magnificent Mile, it’s the premier shopping destination in the River North neighborhood. It has over 430 retail stores spanning 13 walkable blocks to easily shop around during the day without breaking a sweat during the summer.
From non-profit bookstores to Mexican gift shops and top fashion brands like Pandora Jewelry, this district has something to offer everyone. The Magnificent Mile also hosts summer events throughout Chicago, like NASCAR street races and White Sox championship boat cruises.
Move Into Your Dream Windy City Apartment Before Summer Kicks Off
Don’t wait to move to a new apartment during the Chicago summertime. Avoid hauling heavy furniture in the heat and start your search before the season kicks off.
At TLC Management Co., we have over 20 properties throughout the city, each with unique amenities for all lifestyles, including:
•Lakeside apartments with patios overlooking waterfront and cityscape views
•Wall-to-wall closets with organizer shelving and wood flooring
•Convenient city locations, steps to public transit, restaurants, and nightlife
Ready to find your dream Windy City apartment?
Browse our Chicago properties or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to start touring places today!
