If you’re looking for a fun summer travel destination, there are some excellent reasons to add Chicago.
The winter is brutal, but everyone appreciates the warm weather, the lakeside beaches, and all the city has to offer in the summer.
There are a lot of great places to stay, whether you want a hotel or you’d like to rent something like a short-term South Loop condo. The South Loop is one of the best parts of Chicago for tourists because you’re within walking distance to the lakefront, there are numerous restaurants, and you’re close to Grant Park.
No matter where you stay, the following are six reasons you consider visiting this summer.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago. The pier spans into the water of Lake Michigan, and it was initially constructed as a freight dock in 1916. Navy Pier includes nearly 55 acres of parks, gardens, and attractions.
Navy Pier is home to the Navy Pier Beer Garden, featuring craft beer and frequent live music performances. In addition, it’s the site of the Chicago Children’s Museum and the nearly 200-foot Centennial Wheel.
Museums
Chicago is home to some of the world’s best museums. One of the most well-known is the Field Museum. The Field Museum is a natural history museum that covers more than 480,000 square feet and includes 20 permanent exhibitions.
Shedd Aquarium includes habitat exhibitions from the Caribbean, the Amazon, and more. In addition, there are seven permanent exhibitions, and you could easily spend an entire day in the aquarium.
The Art Institute of Chicago features nearly 300,000 pieces in the permanent collection, including paintings, photos, drawings, and sculptures.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the largest institutions in the world for art that was created post-1950, and if you’re in the city, make time for the Adler Planetarium too.
Skydeck at Willis Tower
Willis Tower was once the world’s tallest building, but it remains impressive. It’s an office building, but on the 103rd floor, you can go to Skydeck Chicago. Then, if you’re brave, walk onto The Ledge, an enclosed glass balcony extending over the city’s streets.
On a clear day, you can see as far as Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
The Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is picturesque, but there’s also a lot to do along the way too.
The Riverwalk includes six distinct coves, each with its activities. For example, if you want to boat you might go to The Marina, from State to Dearborn. The Boardwalk, from Franklin to
Lake, offers views of the River’s three branches, and the Water Plaza is great for families, with a fountain that kids can play in. There are a lot of recreational opportunities along the Riverwalk. You can rent kayaks, for example, or book a cruise tour. The Chicago River goes past some of the most notable architecture in the city, including the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the Wrigley Building.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is in the heart of Chicago and is home to numerous events, especially in the summer, including free concerts and movies. Crown Fountain is an interactive black granite fountain with LEDs to display digital videos.
The park is home to the famous Bean, a silver archway into Millennium Park. Technically known as Cloud Gate, it was created between 2004 and 2006, and it’s made up of 168 stainless steel plates that are welded together and polished to be seamless.
Across the street from Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue is the accessible Chicago Cultural Center, with a calendar of events.
Lake Michigan
Chicago is known for its lakeside beaches, where the locals flock as soon as there’s a hint of warm weather.
There are 26 miles of lakefront in Chicago, including public parks and gardens. More than two dozen beaches are free and open to the public in summer.
One of the most popular is North Avenue Beach, with spacious, vast sandy areas, beachfront bars, and a location convenient to many of the city’s other attractions, including the Lincoln Park Zoo. Oak Street Beach is near the Magnificent Mile, and you can get an up-close view of some of the city’s iconic buildings. You can rent bikes and chairs, and there’s space for swimming or relaxing. Finally, if you want something a little quieter, there’s Loyola Beach, with shallow water and chair rentals.
