Erin Yarnall

Looking for fun activities to fill your weekend? We're here to help! You've got plenty of entertaining options this week, from a 40th anniversary screening of The Goonies (complete with a live score!) to the dazzling annual cherry blossom viewing at Jackson Park to the return of yearly festivals like the Doc10 Film Fest, the Chicago Rum Festival and EXPO Chicago. And, as always, there are plenty of cool museum exhibitions and theater performances to take advantage of, too. So ready to make the most of your time off? Check out the rest of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago in April 2025

Looking for fun activities to do this week? You've come to the right place! This week is a movie-lover's dream, with the return of Doc10 Fest, One Earth Film Festival and MUBI Fest Chicago as well as a 40th anniversary screening of The Goonies (complete with a live score!) and a Miss Congeniality-themed bar crawl. And art buffs will get their fill at the annual EXPO Chicago back at Navy Pier. There's also plenty to do outside, including the city's much-anticipated cherry blossom viewing and the annual spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. There’s even more on our list below, so scroll through the roundup of the best things to do in Chicago this week and start planning your calendar. RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago in April 2025

Between the amazing restaurants to try, swankiest bars to visit and best things to do, having a good time in Chicago can be expensive. However, there are still plenty of options for fun on a budget. Chicagoans have access to affordable museums around the city, theater shows that don't break the bank and even a cat cafe. Here are some of the best cheap things to do in Chicago for under $20. And for even more cost-effective options, check out the best free things to do in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best cheap eats in Chicago

Dating can be tough, but picking out what to do on a date doesn’t have to be. Thankfully, Chicago offers plenty for a fun date night. From the incredible lineup of romantic restaurants to the abundance of romantic things to do, there are tons of exciting and intimate options (including cheap date ideas). The following ideas combine dinner and drink recommendations with interesting activities all around the city. To make it convenient, we’ve kept each pairing close together, so you won’t have to travel too far between destinations. Whether it’s your first date or your 50th anniversary, here are some of the best date night ideas in Chicago for an unforgettable evening. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best unique date ideas in Chicago

Sometimes, the trickiest part about a date isn’t working up the nerve to someone out—it’s figuring out what you’re going to do for date night. Sure, you could go the classic route and get dinner at a romantic restaurant or see the latest blockbuster at a bougie movie theater, but why not mix it up with a truly unique date idea? Learn more about each other while simultaneously getting the hang of a new skill at classes for every interest, or spend the day exploring each other’s musical tastes at a concert to see if you’re compatible. You also can’t go wrong with just getting a drink at one of the city’s riverfront breweries or distilleries. So here are some of our favorite date ideas in Chicago to help ignite your love life. RECOMMENDED: Check out the most romantic things to do in Chicago

Over the years, Chicago has served as the backdrop for films like The Dark Knight, The Blues Brothers and just about every movie made by John Hughes. While it’s always thrilling to see a movie being filmed, it’s just as fun to see the finished product put together at the movie theater. Thankfully, the city’s home to a wide array of great theaters, from multiplexes with massive recliner seats and in-theater dining service to art houses where you can catch up on all of the latest indies or an international flick at one of the city’s film festivals. And, like any respectable Chicago institution, many of them come with fully stocked bars, offering extensive beer and cocktail options. No matter what movie you're looking to see, you’ll find the perfect place to watch among our list of the best movie theaters in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best drive-in movie theaters near Chicago

In the thick of winter in Chicago, it can be easy to bundle up and lay low (we see you, Netflix and chill)—but let us not make a habit of hunkering down in this town, where world-class cultural attractions cues us into action. Case in point with Chicago Theatre Week, a multi-day celebration of local musicals, comedies, operas and beyond. With more than 100 performances at theaters across the city—all featuring tickets at $30 or less—there’s never been a better time to round up your fellow arts enthusiasts for an evening out. And this year's Theatre Week coincides with Chicago Restaurant Week, so you can enjoy dinner and a show without breaking the bank. From a reimagined production of Hamlet to a Bob Marley-scored musical, here are some of the best Chicago Theatre Week performances to catch now. For tickets, dates and shows, check out the CTW website. What is Chicago Theatre Week? More than 100 participating productions at the best theaters in Chicago, the suburbs and everywhere in between will offer tickets at discounted price points of $15 or $30 (or less) during the promotion. When is Chicago Theatre Week 2025? Chicago Theatre Week is February 6-16.

More than ever, specialty and locally-owned gyms across Chicago know that accountability and a long-term commitment to training is easier with community, fun and recovery workouts. Many fitness clubs have transformed into holistic wellness centers with community-centered, cafe-like spaces, cold tubs and social outings outside of the studio. Whether a gym rat is looking for an old-fashioned solo experience, nurturing an interest in running, yoga and rest and relaxation, or on the hunt for a swolemate, places across the city offer classes and amenities for every type of goal. So start or continue your fitness journey at the best gyms in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best spas in Chicago

Often defined by its amazing restaurants, beautiful beaches, lively jazz scene and culturally significant architecture, there's another side to Chicago that most tourists don't get the opportunity to delve into ...  The city has a notorious history of Prohibition-era organized crime and violence, which you can explore by signing up for one of the best Chicago crime tours. Learn the nitty gritty details of the city's dark past as your guide unearths stories that will leave you shocked. While the tours may be a bit eerie, some can be experienced on your own schedule, whether in-person or virtually. Certain tours even make stops at the most haunted places in Chicago to help set the mood. RECOMMENDED: 📍 Check out the full guide to the best Chicago tours🏠 The best Airbnbs in Chicago 🏨 The best hotels in Chicago

Who says you need to escape the Midwest in winter? Any Chicagoan knows the dark months can be tough, but those who thrive don’t begrudgingly tolerate the winter—we embrace it. Within a few hours’ drive of Chicago, you’ll find towns, resorts and state parks with exciting, snow-forward outdoor adventures for the whole family like dog sledding, tubing and snowboarding, plus plenty of cozy indoor spots to lean into our Midwestern version hygge. Whether you and your family love to brave the elements or spend afternoons at bookstores, coffee shops and breweries, put on your layers, grab your snowshoes and get ready for fun. Here are the best winter getaways from Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Chicago

As the holidays approach, gift giving can start to get pretty stressful. It’s not always easy to find the perfect present for your loved one, but it’s made a little easier if they’re a fan of Chicago. Whether they’re a local who proudly loves their home or someone who's moved away and is feeling a little homesick, there are plenty of Chicago-themed gifts to get a friend or family member this holiday season. Not only will you support Chicago gift shops, but you'll find something to impress every person on your list, whether it's a gift card to some of the city's best restaurants, a cocktail subscription from one of Chicago's best bars or a membership at a world-class museum. So take the guesswork out of holiday shopping this year by consulting our guide to the best Chicago-made gifts. RECOMMENDED: Your complete guide to Christmas in Chicago

Winters in Chicago are known to be particularly brutal, but that doesn’t mean that the city isn’t any fun throughout the season. Bundle up and head outside to go sledding or snowboarding, check out seasonally-themed activities, and, of course, hit the ice. Chicago, and its surrounding suburbs, are home to plenty of ice rinks to show off your skating skills, or work on them if you're still a novice. You don’t have to be an expert skater, or even own a pair of ice skates, to have a good time at one of the these spots around the city. The best skating rinks in Chicago offer skate rentals, for a fee, as well as lessons to help you skate circles around friends and family. Chicago Park District ice rinks will open November 29. All outdoor rinks operate weather permitting, so call ahead to confirm availability.

There’s a good chance that you’ve heard of A Raisin in the Sun. If you’re a fan of theatre, maybe you’ve even seen it or read it. The play, written by Lorraine Hansberry, depicts the experience of a black family on Chicago’s South Side as they try to improve their financial circumstances after the death of the family’s patriarch. The plot deals with still-relevant issues, like housing discrimination and racism. A Raisin in the Sun is being performed at Court Theatre in Hyde Park, the professional theatre of the University of Chicago.

You’ve probably seen Hamlet. Now it’s time to see Fat Ham, a reimagining of the Shakespeare tale. The Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play by James Ijames tells the story of Juicy, a queer Black man whose widowed mother has married his uncle. When his father’s spirit shows up for revenge during a backyard cookout, Juicy must grapple with his identity. Fat Ham is showing at the Owen Theatre, part of the Goodman Theatre in the Loop.

A musical based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress follows Jenna, a waitress at a cafe who’s in an abusive relationship with her husband, Earl. After becoming pregnant, Jenna starts an affair with her doctor and enters a pie-baking contest, hoping to win the grand prize in order to fund her escape.

Betrayal isn’t structured like a traditional play. The events move in reverse chronological order, showcasing the demise of an affair and going back in time as it occurred and ultimately to the beginning. The play stars Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winner Helen Hunt as Emma, who is having an affair with Jerry, her husband’s friend and coworker. Betrayal, which is playing at the Goodman Theatre, was first written by British playwright Harold Pinter in 1978.

At a motel in the Mojave Desert, two lovers, or fools as the play would suggest, meet up and clash. With just three main cast members, Fool for Love is a haunting drama that explores the deeply complex relationship between the trio. The play was written in 1983 by noted playwright Sam Shepard, whose works also include A Lie of the Mind and Buried Child, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979.

The song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers is almost 50 years old but its enduring message lives on, most recently in the children’s musical Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, which is playing at The Greenhouse Theatre Center. The reggae classic is just one of many Bob Marley hits featured in the production, which centers around Ziggy and his three avian friends. The musical is inspired by the children’s book Every Little Thing, written by Marley’s daughter Cedella.

During its original Broadway run in 2015, Fun Home won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Now, the award-winning musical has moved on from New York and is playing in Chicago during Chicago Theatre Week. Fun Home was based off of the graphic novel memoir of the same name written by Alison Bechdel. Both the novel and musical follow Bechdel as the writer comes of age: Bechdel’s experience of coming out as a lesbian and her relationship with her father, who was a closeted gay man.

Sam Shepard is one of the most highly-regarded American playwrights for good reason—his works are a masterclass in writing about bleak situations and infusing them with black comedy, like in A Lie of the Mind. The play, which is also a part of Chicago Theatre Week at the Raven Theatre, is centered around spousal abuse and how it impacted two families.

On the last night of Frida Kahlo’s life, viewers of Frida…A Self Portrait are transported to La Casa Azul, the famous Mexican artist’s home. The one-woman production is written and performed by Vanessa Severo, and sees the artist reminisce about her life. Throughout the 75-minute play, Severo connects her own life’s experience to the famed artist’s, and explores Kahlo’s works, addiction, physical limitations and romances. The play is running at Writers Theatre, a non-profit theatre company, in suburban Glencoe.

You’ve probably seen a Shakespeare play before, but never like this. Five professional actors come together for each performance of Drunk Shakespeare. The twist? One of them has had five shots before the show and is trying to stay on track while the other four actors do their best to hold the performance together.

DePaul University students use The Ray to help avoid the freshman 15, but it’s not just for students. Undergraduate students have the membership cost included in their tuition, but graduate students, staff, faculty and members of the community can purchase memberships with community memberships costing $91 per month. The 12,000-square-foot open fitness area has more than 100 pieces of cardio equipment, free weights and strength equipment. The gym also offers up a six-lane swimming pool, a banked jogging track, racquetball courts and more than 40 group classes each week.

If you’ve ever craved a private space to work out beyond your home office or living room, The Gym Pod, a cluster of repurposed shipping containers in Fulton Market, is ideal. The Gym Pod offers five different types of pods, each equipped for various types of workouts—the gym pod, which comes equipped with free weights and a cardio station; the spin pod, where spin classes are available; the flow pod, which offers yoga, dance barre and martial arts classes; the rumble pod for anyone looking to improve their boxing or MMA; and the grit pod, which has three weight training stations.

Before she started working with My Block, My Hood, My City, Ashanti Marshall says that, despite living in Chicago, she and many teenagers like her hadn't actually seen much of the city. Marshall, who's currently a sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, first started working with the Chicago-based nonprofit four years ago and is now much more familiar with the city's 77 neighborhoods—including her own, North Lawndale. My Block, My Hood, My City aims to provide educational programs and field trips to underprivileged youth communities throughout Chicago (which, by the way, was just named the second best city in the world according to Time Out readers). It was founded in 2013 by Jahmal Cole after he spent time volunteering at Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. According to Ernesto Gonzalez, the nonprofit's marketing manager, while working at Cook County Cole heard young people talk about their blocks and their hoods, but never the city as a whole. From there, Cole started an after-school program and the organization grew from there. "We're one of the fastest-growing nonprofits in the city," Gonzalez says. It's very local work, but with a loud purpose For the past five years, My Block has been hosting youth-led community walks through neighborhoods like Marshall's native North Lawndale. She's one of many young people leading community walks through their own Chicago neighborhoods, giving historical context and sharing what makes their blocks special. "I rea

One of the distinctive features of the West Loop is its vast collection of street art created by numerous artists, present amid the streets lined with restaurants and on the side of overpasses and railway embankments. Painter and muralist Jenny Vyas is one of those artists whose work has helped to shape the former industrial area, adding splashes of color and creativity to the trendy destination for nightlife and dining that it has become. A self-taught artist, Vyas first became inspired to paint while recovering from a breakup in 2013. She said that much of her work is inspired by “a lot of the darkness in life that we don’t really talk about.”. Her latest show, “Awaken,” opened last month and is on display at Pilsen Yards through October 31. The show features 15 of Vyas’ paintings, all of which center on themes of vulnerability and finding strength through exploring one’s own demons. “It’s the show I’ve been working toward for the last five years so it’s been really great to bring it all together,” Vyas said. “It’s my largest body of work, ever.” Although she’s originally from India, Vyas has lived in Chicago for more than two decades and considers the city to be her home. “I love the inclusivity and different cultures in Chicago,” Vyas said. “I’ve been to so many cities in America and the feeling of home that you get, it’s very much integral in Chicago. You can go to a bar and make friends that night.” One of the painter and muralist’s favorite neighborhoods in the city is