The summer arrived in June along with a bounty of things to do. You made bucket lists with friends and even took off a few Fridays in advance for those unmissable weekend events. But then something scary happened: The pumpkin spice lattes started pouring in and the air became crisp and you realized the epic Chicago summer you were planning on having completely evaded you. As the drab days of negative temperatures and dibs approach, we can at least offer this reminder of what you can certainly find time to do before you say goodbye to summer in the city.
Go to the beach
Your friends told you not to move so far west and away from the lakefront. You thought for a minute maybe that con outweighed the pro of your chic apartment in a cool neighborhood. Then you reached September and realized you hadn't been to the beach even once this year.
Try the Mango Lassi at Pub Royale
The funky frozen mango lassi—made with yogurt, mango, honey and bitters, spiked with rum, Batavia Arrack and Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, and garnished with sweet paprika and mint— seemed like the perfect summer cocktail to enjoy on a patio under the Chicago summer sun. Of course, you can still order the drink in the post-summer months, but do you really want a frozen cocktail when you're struggling to survive another Chiberia? Yeah, get one now.
Attend a street festival
You even missed the one happening two blocks from your apartment. Why? You can’t really remember.
Do an architectural boat tour when the family comes into town
Instead you did the usual: Go to a restaurant, get down with Dad a little too heavily on bourbon, and conk out around 11pm while watching Seinfeld re-runs. Tsk, tsk.
Try the Original Rainbow Cone
You've sincerely slobbered over photos of the Rainbow Cone almost every day, but complained about the trek. And yet it looks so good! Maybe in the fall. Is it open in the fall? (It is—but just through October.)
Attend one of summer's last music festivals
You raved about the lineups for Pitchfork and Lollapalooza with friends for months, and you swore you were going to grab three-day passes—and then they sold out. Then you swore you were going to buy tickets from a Craigslist seller—until all of them were gone too. If you miss North Coast Music Festival and Riot Fest (and we suggest you go to at least one), you may have to settle for listening to your favorite tunes on the jukebox at the dive bar.
Go to a movie in the park
A group of your friends were going, but it was kind of hot outside. You could have packed a picnic, but what about bugs? You also just watched Jumanji not too long ago on a rainy, melancholy day, so you're not sure you need to see it again. Your friends were even bringing bottles of wine, but you wanted to finish True Detective. C'mon! What's wrong with you? Go outside!