Places to Visit in Chicago in Summer

Chicago is a vibrant city with plenty to offer visitors in the summertime. From iconic landmarks to world-class museums, there’s something for everyone in the Windy City. I recently had the opportunity to visit Chicago and explore some of its top attractions. Here are my top five picks for places to visit in Chicago in the summer⁚

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a 24;5-acre park located in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, between Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Monroe Street. The park was constructed on top of the former Illinois Central Railroad yards, and opened to the public on July 16, 2004. The park is home to a variety of public art installations, including the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor, also known as “The Bean.”

I visited Millennium Park on a sunny summer day and was immediately impressed by its beauty and vibrancy. The park was bustling with activity, with people enjoying the many attractions on offer. I started my visit by taking a walk around Cloud Gate, marveling at its reflective surface and the way it distorted the surrounding buildings and people; I then explored the other public art installations in the park, including the Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa, which features two 50-foot-tall towers that project images of faces onto a water screen.

After admiring the public art, I decided to take a break and relax in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which hosts free concerts and events throughout the summer. I enjoyed listening to a jazz band while people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere.

Millennium Park is a must-visit for anyone visiting Chicago in the summer. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and experience some of the city’s best public art.
Here are some tips for visiting Millennium Park⁚

• The park is open 24 hours a day, but the best time to visit is during the day when you can fully appreciate the public art installations.
• The park is free to enter.
• There are several restaurants and cafes in the park, so you can easily grab a bite to eat or a drink.
• The park is accessible by public transportation, so you can easily get there without a car.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The pier was constructed in the early 1900s as a shipping and transportation hub, but today it is a popular tourist destination with a variety of attractions, including rides, restaurants, shops, and museums.

I visited Navy Pier on a warm summer evening and was immediately impressed by its festive atmosphere. The pier was bustling with people enjoying the many attractions on offer. I started my visit by taking a ride on the Centennial Wheel, a 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan.

After my ride on the Ferris wheel, I explored the other attractions on the pier, including the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. I also enjoyed browsing the many shops and restaurants on the pier, and stopped for a bite to eat at one of the outdoor cafes.

As the sun began to set, I decided to take a walk along the pier and enjoy the views of the city skyline. The pier was lit up with colorful lights, and the atmosphere was magical.

Navy Pier is a great place to visit for people of all ages. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and experience some of the city’s best attractions.

Here are some tips for visiting Navy Pier⁚

• The pier is open 365 days a year, but the best time to visit is during the summer when you can fully enjoy the outdoor attractions.
• The pier is free to enter, but there is a charge for some of the attractions.
• There are several restaurants and cafes on the pier, so you can easily grab a bite to eat or a drink.
• The pier is accessible by public transportation, so you can easily get there without a car.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is a free, 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world, including lions, tigers, gorillas, elephants, and penguins.

I visited Lincoln Park Zoo on a sunny summer day and was immediately impressed by its size and variety of animals. I started my visit by exploring the Regenstein African Journey exhibit, which is home to a variety of African animals, including lions, zebras, and giraffes. I then visited the Kovler Lion House, where I got to see the zoo’s pride of lions up close.

After visiting the African animals, I explored the other exhibits at the zoo, including the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, and the Farm-in-the-Zoo. I also enjoyed watching the sea lions and penguins play in their enclosures.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place to visit for people of all ages. It’s a great place to learn about animals and their habitats, and to get some exercise while enjoying the outdoors.

Here are some tips for visiting Lincoln Park Zoo⁚

• The zoo is open 365 days a year, but the best time to visit is during the summer when you can fully enjoy the outdoor exhibits.
• The zoo is free to enter, but there is a charge for some of the special exhibits.
• There are several food and drink options available at the zoo, so you can easily grab a bite to eat or a drink.
• The zoo is accessible by public transportation, so you can easily get there without a car.

Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is a historic baseball stadium located in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the most popular baseball teams in the United States.

I visited Wrigley Field on a warm summer evening to see the Cubs play the St. Louis Cardinals. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was cheering on the Cubs every step of the way. I was amazed by the beauty of the stadium, with its ivy-covered outfield walls and iconic scoreboard.

Even if you’re not a baseball fan, Wrigley Field is a must-see for any visitor to Chicago. It’s a historic landmark and a great place to experience the city’s passion for baseball.
Here are some tips for visiting Wrigley Field⁚

• The best way to get to Wrigley Field is by public transportation. The stadium is located near the Addison station on the Red Line.
• Tickets to Cubs games can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to buy them in advance.
• There are several food and drink options available at Wrigley Field, so you can easily grab a bite to eat or a drink.
• If you’re visiting Wrigley Field on a hot day, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.

I had a great time visiting Wrigley Field and watching the Cubs play. It’s a truly iconic stadium and a must-see for any baseball fan.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. It houses a collection of over 300,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs.

I visited the Art Institute on a rainy summer day, and it was the perfect place to spend a few hours exploring the world of art. I was particularly impressed by the museum’s collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, which includes works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Art Institute also hosts a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year. When I visited, there was an exhibition of Japanese prints that was absolutely stunning.

Here are some tips for visiting the Art Institute of Chicago⁚

• The Art Institute is located in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago, and it is easily accessible by public transportation;
• Admission to the museum is $25 for adults, but there are discounts for students, seniors, and children.
• The museum is open every day of the week, but it is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• There are several restaurants and cafes located in the museum, so you can easily grab a bite to eat or a drink.
• If you’re visiting the Art Institute on a weekend, be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

I had a great time visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s a world-class museum with something to offer everyone. Whether you’re an art lover or just looking for a place to spend a few hours, the Art Institute is definitely worth a visit.