Summer in Chicago is the complete opposite of winter in that it's a desirable place to be in. The city becomes active with many tourists and all kinds of events from the neighborhood festivals, to large events like Triathlon and Lollapalooza. Although many of these activities are low-cost things to do, some can be costly. Below are things we enjoy during the summer that are Free (or almost free) you can take advantage of.
1) Picnic at Various Parks around the City
Although Chicago can feel overwhelming with its dense population and narrow streets with hard-to-find parking, there are many parks that are not. One of our favorite parks is Humboldt park which has an ample amount of space for easy parking. We bring local take-out and picnic with our daughter and dog. Other parks that we enjoy are Douglas Park and River Park, but there are also many more parks in the city that we haven't visited.
Another public space that we enjoy is at the Solidarity Drive in between the Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium which has a beautiful view of the Chicago Skyline. Just park along the drive and enjoy a scenic view and the cool lake breeze.
In the summer, I join a recreational tennis league in Chicago where I can play opponents around the city at these parks for free. It consumes me in the summertime as Tennis is one of my favorite hobbies, but I've made a lot of friends around the city and enjoy all the memories.
2) Lincoln Park Zoo and Walkway
Similar to the parks listed above, Lincoln Park is another great spot to visit. The famous Lincoln Park Zoo is inside this large park. If you walk south of the zoo, there are large nature spots where you can enjoy a nice stroll and explore. In the summertime, this park hosts a farmer's market as well.
3) Picnic at the Lake Shore Trail and Watch Firework and Air Shows
Lake Shore Trail is a long stretch of park that contains several parks, walking paths, bike paths, sand beaches, and much more that many people visit on any given day. On summer weekends, you'll see various sports leagues taking place along with joggers, bikers, and people grilling.
We like to visit and picnic when there are special events like the Independence Day Fireworks, or the Chicago Air and Water show.
4) Attend the Annual Auto Show
Although not free, it is a big event that you can attend for less than $10. There are usually special prices on days like Women's Day or Canned Food Drive. Whether you're in the market for a new car or simply enjoy experiencing new models, it's a fun activity each year as it takes place in February when fewer outdoor options are available.
5) Rent a Electric Boat at the Chicago River
This activity is also not free but when you split the cost with your group, it becomes a much more manageable activity. We took one of our friends for a booze cruise as part of his bachelor party and had a lot of fun.
You can also bring your own food and drinks (including alcohol), so it becomes an attractive value proposition.
6) Attend Cheap Sporting Events like the Cubs and the Sox Game
Chicago has two baseball teams that play all summer long. With over 40 home games for each team, many of the games become less in demand and the prices drop to attract more fans. Prices can range from single digit to twenty-dollars. Even for non-baseball fans, going out to the ballpark in the afternoon is a fun activity to enjoy with your friends.
7) Be a Tourist in Your own City / Explore Cafes
When Trang and I had separate places, we would only stay downtown during the weekdays for an easy commute to work and we stayed at Trang's condo in the north Lakeview area or traveled out of town during the weekends. One day, when we talked about how great Chicago is, and that we have regional specialty food that were as good as places that we have visited. We decided to explore our own city act like a tourist in our own city. It was a lot of fun walking down the Magnificent mile and exploring cafes that we think we would have enjoyed as a tourist in Chicago. It was fun being silly and it was relaxing as we did not have specific agendas or checklist to cross-off.
8) Take a Photoshoot around the City
When we had to take our engagement photo, we contacted our family friend who was still attending school for Arts and Photography. It was fun visiting iconic spots around Chicago and it was cheaper than hiring professional photographers. After this experience, we realized we can do other casual photoshoots without having to be for any special occasion or breaking the bank.
9) Go to State Parks for Walks
During the Summer and Fall, we like to take our dog to trails around the area and explore different parks. Some of our favorites are the Glen Fall.
10) Participate in Many Races around the City
Chicago is home to many races throughout the year. Some of the ones we enjoy participating are the Corporate Challenge and the Triathlon.
コメント