The best things to do outside in Chicago

Want some exercise and some beautiful views? There no better way to build some upper body strength while enjoying the Chicago River than by renting a kayak and paddling on the various branches of the waterway. You can get a kayak in Avondale or along the Chicago Riverwalk—and there's even a dock at Montrose Harbor if you want to get out on the lake. Don't worry if you're a first-timer, because a quick lesson is all the stands between you and an afternoon of paddling.

Back in the 19th century, Chicago's government picked the phrase "urbs in horto"—Latin for "City in a Garden"—as its civic motto. Today, Chicago is home to more than 8,800 acres of green space, including some actual gardens where you can admire blooms and native foliage. Step into a Japanese garden in the midst of Jackson Park or head north to Glencoe to wander through the expansive Chicago Botanic Garden. We've gathered some of our favorite places to admire the beauty of nature.

Skip the stress of biking on Chicago's streets and go for a long ride on a nearby trail. Whether you want to pedal by the water on the Lakefront Trail or admire the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park while cruising on the North Shore Channel Trail, there are plenty of options for cycling sans car traffic. Take a look at our list of nearby trails, accompanied by sights you can see along the way.

When the weather is warm, the Chicago Riverwalk (on the south bank of the Chicago River, just north of the Loop) is a bustling place. You can sit down for a meal at Beat Kitchen, grab a cocktail at the Island Party Hut or get out on the water by boarding a boat tour. And even when the seasons change, the Riverwalk is a beautiful spot to sit down and take in the sights, including the Art on theMART projections that take over the side of Merchandise Mart during many evenings throughout the year.

With more than 600 parks and facilities spread throughout the city, it's not difficult to find a new Chicago park to explore. From sprawling green spaces like Humboldt Park and Douglas Park to smaller (but no less important) spaces like Ping Tom Memorial Park and Winnemac Park, most neighborhoods in the city are home to at least one place where you can enjoy an afternoon outdoors amid baseball diamonds, lagoons and open fields. Take a look at some of our favorite spots to get some fresh air.

If you're looking to see some of the most incredible skyline views of Chicago, look no futher than the city's top boat tours and cruises. The Chicago River and Lake Michigan each offer unparalled vantage points for gazing at the city, and specialized tours (like the popular Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise) offer a chance to learn more about the buildings surrounding you. Check out our list of the best ways to see the city by boat.

With 26 miles of shoreline, Chicago offers plenty of opportunities for beachgoers to catch some rays. Beyond getting a tan or taking a dip in Lake Michigan, Chicagoans can join the volleyball tournaments at Oak Street Beach, take their pups to Montrose Beach or head to Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (formerly 31st Street Beach) to admire the skyline from the sand.

Note: All Chicago beaches are currently closed

Home to more than 1,200 animals, Lincoln Park Zoo remains one of the last free zoos in the country. There's a lot to see as you stroll through the ground, but some of our favorite sights in the park are the snow monkeys in the Regenstein Macaque Forest and the waddling African penguins that inhabit the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove. Don't forget to admire the prairie surrounding the Nature Boardwalk on your way into the zoo.

Note: Online registration is currently required for all zoo visitors

Our city doesn't boast nearby mountains like Seattle or San Francisco, but what the Midwest lacks in elevation it makes up for in natural beauty. Head to the city's Northwest Side to go for a walk on the North Branch Trail, go west to trek through the suburbs on the Illinois Prairie Path Trail or cross state lines to visit the gorgeous Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan and tackle the 30-mile Ice Age Trail at Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin. You don't have to go far to temporarily escape your urban surroundings and traipse through nature.

An abandoned rail line that runs throughout Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown has been transformed into a 2.7-mile trail, perfect for walker, joggers and cyclists. The 606 (a.k.a. the Bloomingdale Trail) gives you an above-the-street view of several neighborhoods and offers plenty of spots to sit down and relax. You may have to dodge some strollers when the path gets packed on warm weekends, but it's a small price to pay for the easy access to various parks and local businesses along the trail.

Don't feel like spending the afternoon in a museum? You'll find some large (and small) masterpieces outdoors in locations throughout the city if you go searching for some of Chicago's best public art. Walk 16th Street in Pilsen to see a procession of murals, find Yoko Ono's Skylanding in Jackson Park's Garden of the Phoenix, or head to the Loop to see iconic works by Picasso and Calder. There's more public art in Chicago than you can see in a day, and admission is always free.

You don't have to own a bike to roll through Chicago on two wheels, thanks to the Divvy bike share program, which boasts more than 600 stations throughout the city. You can rent a classic bright blue Divvy bike or spring for one of the jet-black e-bikes, which use pedal assist power to help you get where you're going faster. You can snag a bike for a single 30-minute ride, get unlimited three-hour rides for an entire day or sign up for a membership that entitles you to unlimited 45-minute rides.

Located just over 20 miles from downtown Chicago, The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a sprawling 300-acre space is packed with activities for dedicated (and casual) thrill-seekers. There are multiple ziplines, climbing walls, a mountain bike course, hiking trails and a body of water you can kayak or canoe in—it's essentially a one-stop shop for outdoor activities.