Lindsay Eanet

There are few better ways to beat the heat in Chicago than by hitting one of the many sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. From the North Shore to the South Shore, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a chill day of sunbathing, want to take in the skyline from a kayak or paddleboard, or love to get competitive with a game of volleyball. Make the most of summer in Chicago by packing a towel, snacks and some sunscreen and heading out early to secure a spot. If you’re really looking for vacation vibes, you can visit a waterfront restaurant serving drinks and hosting live music. Just be sure to check the water conditions before you go and consider visiting a public swimming pool if the lake is off limits. Note: Chicago's summer beach season runs through Labor Day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Chicago

Chicago boasts plenty of kid-friendly activities and restaurants, but if you're planning a family vacation, there are many approachable, fun and memorable destinations close by for a weekend away. Cities, state parks and lakes across the region are full of hiking for all ages and engaging, hands-on ways to learn about history, ecology and wildlife. Along the way, discover quirky shops, longstanding eateries with decadent desserts and recreational activities that kids of all ages will enjoy. From wacky and weird to active and relaxing, here are the best weekend getaways from Chicago for families. RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Chicago RECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips from Chicago

You don’t have to go far or spend a lot of money to enjoy a nice escape from Chicago. A simple day trip offers a fun change in scenery and is cheap and easy. Luckily, there are many exciting destinations within driving distance or accessible by train that provide the perfect getaway. Spend an afternoon soaking up the rays on beaches along Lake Michigan, go hiking near Chicago in a state park or sample a variety of beers and cheeses up north in Wisconsin. The attractions are endless, ranging from amusement parks and Japanese gardens to museums and historic lighthouses. So whether you’re low on PTO or just trying to keep travel costs down, check out our guide to the best day trips from Chicago to explore everything the Midwest has to offer. RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips from ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best Chicago staycation ideas

As amazing as Chicago is, sometimes you just need to get away for a weekend. Fortunately, there’s a host of untapped food, arts and culture scenes within a five-hour drive. From post-industrial cities reclaiming their place on the Midwest map to quirky university towns proving they’re more than just a temporary destination, you’ll find places perfect for family weekend getaways, adventurous hiking or wine and whiskey tastings. So when you've run out of things to do in Chicago, explore, rejuvenate or get weird at unexpected attractions any time of the year—your next weekend getaway from Chicago is waiting. RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Chicago RECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips from Chicago

Chicago has an endless array of festivals, attractions and top-notch restaurants to keep you occupied, but sometimes we all need a little escape. Fortunately, a day-trip reprieve from the bustle of the city is just a short train ride away. Whether you live a car-free life or simply hate traffic, good news: Chicagoland’s Metra rail system isn’t just for suburban commuters. Shake up your routine with an adventure outside city limits, from exploring art sculpture gardens to playing games at the largest arcade in the country. So when you've had your fill of fun in Chicago, head to the nearest Metra station for an exciting suburban excursion.  RECOMMENDED: The most unique day trips you can take from Chicago

Chicago is home to a world-class collection of museums and cultural institutions—all of which are worth visiting. Want to see premiere pieces from famous artists? Take a trip to the Art Institute or Museum of Contemporary Art. Love everything related to natural history and dinosaurs? Then the Field Museum is calling your name. Whether you enjoy art, science, history or architecture, the city’s many museums are some of the top Chicago attractions and provide a great way to spend an afternoon. And you don’t have to break the bank as most have free museum days or offer free admission all year round. So plan a day to explore the best museums in Chicago and get ready to learn a thing or two. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best things to do in Chicago 

Summer in Chicago is often a muggy scorcher, making ways to beat the heat all the more important. If you’re looking to cool off with a frozen treat, the city has a huge variety of ice cream shops, ranging from classic institutions that have served generations of families to brand new spots offering creations inspired by Japan, Thailand and Ireland. There’s even vegan soft serve so no one has to miss out. Spend the day enjoying outdoor activities and then satisfy your sweet tooth at one of the best ice cream shops in Chicago. Just eat fast before your dessert melts away! RECOMMENDED: Explore more of the best restaurants in Chicago

There's something intrinsically luxurious about afternoon tea, and Chicago's best restaurants and hotels go to great lengths to elevate the experience. If you're looking for something traditional, turn to the city's age-old tearooms and downtown hotels, where aromatic beverages are served alongside tiny sandwiches, colorful pastries and canapés. For those who crave a modern twist, places like LondonHouse and Bar Pendry are breathing new life into the tea-time ritual. A few of these spots are even trying bold, boozy tea-infused cocktails for guests who want something stronger. Whatever your preference, you'll have the perfect time at the best places to go for afternoon tea and high tea in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best tea in Chicago

With only a precious few weeks of summertime in Chicago, the universe is begging you to get outside and enjoy it. Of course, there are countless street festivals and neighborhood parties and dreamy alfresco dining opportunities at Chicago's best outdoor restaurants. But as the temperature and humidity tick up, it's the perfect time to cool off by the water. If heading to the lake and enjoying one of Chicago's best beaches isn't your jam, the Chicago Park District offers dozens of public swimming pools all over the city—free of charge. Whether you want serene lap lanes, kid-friendly water playgrounds and slides or just a place to lounge, you'll find it among the best swimming pools in Chicago. Just be sure to check the pool schedule so you show up at the proper swim times!  RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do in the summer

Sure, walks along Michigan Avenue and State Street are nice and rooftop bars offer plenty of pretty sights – but the best way to see downtown Chicago is from the water. Both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan offer unparalleled vantage points for taking in the city’s world-famous architecture and the breathtaking Chicago skyline, with many of the tours providing unique insights into the city’s culture and history. From architecture tours and history lessons to straightforward sightseeing affairs, romantic excursions and pirate-themed family fun, there's a Chicago cruise for every groove. Below we’ve got the essential list of the city’s finest waterborne tours, including tall-mast ships and glitzy speed boats. Bon voyage!   RECOMMENDED: Find more to explore with one of the best things to do in Chicago This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Few things can compete with the joy of picking your own produce—from the adventure of the outing and the communal vibe to the bountiful (and delicious!) end result. This summer, take a day trip from Chicago to find a farm where you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and more. While these farms are a bit further out than city limits, the drive will be worth it for you and the whole family thanks to the fun, kid-friendly attractions like petting zoos, wagon rides and live music that many farms offer. Bring your berry haul home and make pies, frozen cocktails and preserves to last through winter. Keep in mind that you should check ahead with any of these spots to make sure your fruits of choice are currently in season. But otherwise? Just get to berry picking at these farms near Chicago! RECOMMENDED: The best family weekend getaways from Chicago

Whether it's a rooftop in the West Loop or a Little Village speakeasy, there's a Chicago cocktail bar for every occasion and taste. Staffed by some of the world's top bartenders, the best local cocktail bars mix drinks that you can enjoy before dinner or in the wee hours of the morning. From the classic Manhattan and Negroni to over-the-top, tropical-inspired sippers with colorful bendy straws, there's nothing you won't find at the following spots. So when you're looking for something a bit stronger than what's on offer at Chicago breweries and wine bars, make your way to the best cocktail bars in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best bars in Chicago

Many people who call Chicago home have a story like this one. We’re out of town visiting relatives or attending a work conference, and we mention we live in Chicago. Then begins the flurry of pearl-clutching from out of towners. “It’s so dangerous!” “Do you feel safe?” “Cable news told me Chicago is a lawless hellscape!”  Like every major city, Chicago has problems, including gun violence, and the conversations on how to address them deserve to be had with those most impacted taking the lead. But many locals are growing weary with cable news grifters and armchair pundits stoking fear about our city from and for an out-of-town perspective. And that frustration has led to memes, merchandise and a rallying cry—STFU About Chicago. Back in May of this year, amid another rash of Chicago being cable news’ favorite municipal punching bag, local Matt Lindner sparked up an idea on X (formerly Twitter): “Here is a free business idea that will make a billion dollars. A line of ‘Shut the Fuck Up About Chicago’ shirts.”  Among those who saw the tweet was Anthony Hall, designer, illustrator and founder of local apparel and graphic design company Harebrained. Hall felt inspired to create the first two STFU About Chicago designs, a play on the iconic Wrigley Field marquee and an old-school White Sox logo. From there, the designs took off “like immediately,” he said. And the designs have kept coming, with the collection including mashups of every CTA line and local pro sports team; beloved ins

Chicago’s queer nightlife scene is creative, community-driven and pure fun, and nowhere is that more evident than in the scores of new venues (Nobody’s Darling! Whiskey Girl! Dorothy!) and events that have popped up in the past several years. Across the city, you can find new drag shows at dim sum restaurants, day parties at the Promontory, open mic nights where poets and musicians spill their guts and much more. And, of course, stalwart parties like Slo ‘Mo and smallWORLD Collective’s ENERGY are still going strong.  Here’s just a sampling of the many new LGBTQ+ events that have popped up over the past year and change. From open mics at tea houses to tea dance day parties, from sweaty club beats to sweating from a good long walk, there’s something in here for everyone. Photograph: Anneasha Hogan Boots Two fixtures of Chicago’s queer entertainment scene—drag performer and curator Abhijeet (Chicago Is A Drag, Dim Sum & Drag) and DJ Kirk (Scarlet, Berlin)—joined forces last year to create one hell of a party, Boots, which is held in rotating locations and promises three very important things: “Dim Lights. Hard Music. Hot Hosts.” If you want to dance your heart out until the wee hours and stumble home sweaty and exhausted in the best way, this is the party for you.  Dates and locations vary, 10pm-3am, visit boots.party for details and tickets. Proof of vaccination and masks are required for entry.  Photograph: Courtesy of City Gays Walk Chicago City Gays Walk Chicago It’s exa

A goofy game show where lucky singles can win a date at a favorite local venue. An evening at a bar where your bestie can hype you up to potential matches with a glowing slide-deck presentation. An opening meditation and affirmations session followed by rounds of deep-diving questions ranging from the silly to the weighty.  In the wake of the loneliness of pandemic isolation and an ever-increasing reliance on dating apps, event organizers in Chicago are creating new evolutions of the classic speed dating event to foster authentic IRL human connections, both platonic and romantic.  The importance of making spaces for genuine connection hits home for Candis Oakley, who lost her aunt to suicide. “She is the biggest reason why I am passionate about bringing people together and why I believe community care is extremely important,” she says. That ethos led Oakley, a yoga instructor, business owner and marketer, to launch Very Human Social, a “mission driven social club” that produces workshops and events focused on authentic human connection and growth. As a yoga instructor, Oakley says there were always elements of growth and community-building in her class, and the aspect that brought her the most joy was seeing people ask questions and build relationships outside the studio.  Oakley is encouraging those genuine connections through one of Very Human Social’s signature events, Friend Request. A typical Friend Request evening starts with introductions, followed by time to “get into

Waiting until the last possible minute to make your Halloween weekend plans? Still cobbling together a costume from the depths of your closet? Lucky for you, there are plenty of spooky, festive spots in Chicago to eat, drink and be scary, from movie and TV-inspired pop-ups with creative cocktails to karaoke costume contests to a restaurant dressing up as an iconic chain breakfast spot. Take a look through our roundup and prepare for a hauntingly good time this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best Halloween events and costume parties in Chicago Photograph: Courtesy of Black Lagoon 1. The Dandy Crown Erin Hayes (formerly of the dearly departed Lost Lake) and Kelsey Ramage bring their immersive pop-up homage to all things horror, The Black Lagoon, to River West cocktail bar The Dandy Crown through October 31. Enjoy macabre bites like the “Sacrificial Lamb” (a lamb tartare with a vividly bloody beet mayo) alongside spooky sippers like the Closed Casket (Bruichladdich Classic, miso falernum, passionfruit syrup) and the smoky mezcal Blood Rage, all served in seasonally fitting glassware. Explore the spooky decorations inside or fight the chill by getting cozy by the fire pit. Reserve on Tock. Photograph: Courtesy of Ina Mae Tavern 2. Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods Celebrate Halloween New Orleans style as Ina Mae transforms into the Voodoo Lounge through October 31. The whole week of Halloween is packed with events, including a Friday happy hour with a Jazz Funeral presented by Four

Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy-inspired TTRPGs (tabletop roleplaying games) are enjoying a burst of popularity that’s represented in everything from online streaming series to appearances on Stranger Things. Now, a new interactive show coming to Chicago is giving seasoned tabletop players—and curious newcomers—an opportunity to step outside theatre of the mind and explore this fantasy world in, well, a literal theater. The Twenty-Sided Tavern, which begins its residency at the Broadway Playhouse on October 27, is an immersive theatrical experience inspired by games that “might involve dungeons and might involve dragons.” Part comedy show, part interactive game created by experienced game designers, the show utilizes collaboration between cast, crew and audience to tell an ever-changing story.  The audience is a “fourth player” at The Twenty-Sided Tavern, collaborating directly with the actors and the Game Master. In addition to the more traditional improv show audience engagement, The Twenty-Sided Tavern uses Gamiotics, a browser-based software that guests use to vote to make decisions on where the story will go—what characters appear, what rooms they explore. The result is an experience that balances giving the audience agency while letting guests choose their level of involvement—and a different show every night.  Photograph: Kelly Tunney “We find that a lot of people, when they hear ‘interactive,’ they think, ‘Oh, I don’t want to get pulled up onstage, so I’m not g

In the summer in Chicago, you can find festivals celebrating just about everything, including the best of the city’s food, music, craft beer and culture. So it was only a matter of time before Chicago debuted a festival showcasing one of its best cultural assets—its rich, diverse and exciting drag scene.  On June 24, the Cheetah Gym lot in Andersonville will play home to the third edition of Chicago is a Drag, the Midwest’s first drag fest. The festival is organized by A Queer Pride, the queer event collective of local performers Abhijeet, Bambi Banks-Couleé, JForPay and Kitty Banks.  The original event, held in 2019, emerged out of programming for another popular Pride event in Andersonville, Backlot Bash. When asked to program the Friday of the festival, the idea for an all-drag event was born.  “There was nothing in Chicago that highlighted the drag artists of Chicago by themselves, as themselves,” Abhijeet says. The celebration coincided with a host of 50th anniversaries: the Stonewall uprising, considered the start of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S.; the first Chicago Pride event and the 50th anniversary of Chicago’s storied drag club, the Baton Show Lounge. That first event featured a stacked lineup, with local drag scene stalwarts like Lucy Stoole, Aunty Chan and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna DiDa Ritz serving as emcees, 50 performers and special guests (including hosts Tiffany “New York” Pollard and TS Madison), along with actress Candis Cayne and Drag Race

We talk a lot about new cocktail bars and breweries popping up in Chicago, but what if you're more of a coffee person? Over the past few months, Chicago’s already-thriving coffee scene has opened up a host of new and innovative coffee shops that offer more than just, say, a quality latte or killer cold brew. From authentic Vietnamese iced coffee in the West Loop to a horror geek's paradise in Logan Square to community-building in Roseland, put these new coffee shops and pop-ups in your rotation this summer.  Photograph: Lauren Reese Anticonquista Café: Cultivation to cup in Logan Square The concept: As Chicago’s first family farm-owned and operated coffee roaster, the Anticonquista Café team seeks to close the gap between coffee farmers in Central America and U.S. consumers, putting coffee production back in the hands of small working farmers. Elmer Fajardo has been working with coffee since he was seven years old, helping his father on the family coffee farm in southeastern Guatemala and learning every step of the process, from growing to harvesting to pulping. In fall 2020, alongside his wife and business partner, Lauren Reese, Fajardo began bringing coffee from his family’s farms in Guatemala and Honduras to the people at farmers markets via Anticonquista Café’s coffee bike.  “I don't just want to end our business with our family,” Fajardo says. “I really want to help campesinos in my town and for them to get better pay for their products. When people buy and support our

When you bring all-vinyl DJs and local food vendors together, "sampling" takes on a whole new meaning. This summer, 58th and Halsted will be the best place in the city for vinyl aficionados to come together and pore through crates of records, all while eating delicious local food, dancing to music from esteemed local DJs and learning about exciting community initiatives.  Vinyl and Vittles—a new record fair and food market collective from event producer Erik Jones of Sound Voyage, DJ Mr. Jaytoo and the community organization Grow Greater Englewood—will take over the Englewood Village Plaza every third Sunday of the month June through October this year. The event will feature local record vendors sharing their wares, delicious local food, live music from a curated lineup of DJs and more fun for the whole family.  “Music is and always has been the ultimate icebreaker,” Jaytoo says. “It just seemed very elementary to base some gatherings around music.” Tanya Ward, a cultural steward with Grow Greater Englewood, says the event is part of a larger effort to create a vibe and a destination at the Plaza. “We hope to make this space live in the summer," she says. "We shouldn’t have to drive and wait in traffic to be in community." Grow Greater Englewood has been working to activate the plaza space at 58th and Halsted for years, with initiatives including the popular, music-filled Englewood Village Farmers Market and the proposed Englewood Nature Trail, a two-mile linear park connecti

The next couple of days may be grim and rainy, but we're in for a sunny and warm long holiday weekend—and with it, the return of the summer spectacle that is the Navy Pier fireworks. The popular show will make its 2022 debut on Saturday, May 28 at 10pm, and will recur Wednesdays at 9pm and Saturdays at 10pm through Labor Day. The displays feature a variety of music, including unique soundtracks for special occasions.  And lest you haven't been to Navy Pier since that work booze cruise five years ago or an ill-fated family outing to the long-gone Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location, the Pier is offering new attractions, cultural activities and food options starting this weekend. The sprawling Beer Garden, which offers free live music in the summer under the "Live on the Lake" banner and "farm to foam" craft brews from Ottawa, IL-based Tangled Roots Brewing Company, also opens on May 28. Kicking off the summer of jams are '90s rock cover band Mike & Joe, perfect for your nostalgic buddies who warble through Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Save Tonight" at karaoke, and acclaimed New Orleans multihyphenate Shamarr Allen, who has worked with icons like Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle and Lenny Kravitz. If relaxing with a brew, a view and some Third Eye Blind covers isn't doing it for you, Saturday will also be the opening installment of Wave Wall Wax, where top local house and dance DJs spin by the Wave Wall on Saturdays from 5 to 7pm.  Navy Pier also welcomes two new restaurants to its ever-growing

Chicago's many green spaces aren't just great for lounging, jogging or beer-league kickball. During the summer, the Chicago Park District partners with more than 120 local cultural and arts organizations to present the ever-popular Night Out in the Parks programming, which brings a host of free events to neighborhood parks every year. You may already know about some of the program's more notable events, like film screenings for Movies in the Parks or live circus performances. But did you know there's also full moon fire spinners, queer Pride house music parties, iconic country punk bands and huge honking nature puppets? Here's a look at just a few of the most exciting programs coming to your local parks this summer—all for free. For a full lineup, visit the Night Out in the Parks website. Broadway in Your Backyard!  Channel your inner theatre kid with the ensemble from Porchlight Music Theatre. This 60-minute revue features some of the best heavy-hitter songs from the history of Broadway musicals, and some fun facts along the way. Just don't try to upstage the folks on stage when doing your best Idina Menzel impression—leave "Defying Gravity" to the professionals. August 30, Gill Park, 825 N Sheridan Rd Free Street Theater: The Mild Goose Chase Since its inception in the late 1960s, Free Street Theater has worked to bring creative, current and meaningful theatre performances to all of Chicago. In this collaboration with Chi Clowns, a clown wakes up to find that a part of her

Depending on who you ask, it's either an enticement or a threat. Over the weekend, Twitter user @sizzlefruit shared a sign from realtor Brad Zibung promising an unusual closing gift for a condo near Diversey & Clybourn: a case of everyone's favorite/least favorite local spirit, Malört. Or as their tweet put it, "the most Chicago thing I’ve seen in a long ass time." Zibung, the founder of Chicago Residential Partners at Compass Real Estate, says the genesis of the idea was pretty simple: they wanted to have fun and make their listings stand out. Of the three homes where Zibung and his team have used the Malört signs, one has an accepted offer and one closed. On the way to the first buyer's final walkthrough, Zibung went to the liquor store to buy six bottles of Malört to deliver on what the sign had promised. Zibung laid the bottles on the island, and it turns out the buyer hadn't seen the rider on the sign, so he was a bit confused as to what the gift was doing there. "I wonder how many of [the bottles] have been consumed," Zibung says. Zibung says the Malört sign rider is not the only Chicago-centric one the team has considered. The signs have to be succinct, pithy, tongue-in-cheek and Chicago-related, all in about 10 words. Among the other sign riders Zibung and his team have considered include a free Mitch Trubisky jersey with purchase of the home (too soon?), while others have referenced Chicago cultural signposts like Old Style, Abe Froman, the Empire Carpet Guy and, of

It may still be a little too cold to swim in Lake Michigan, but starting this week, you can buy tickets to dive into a swimming pool of rainbow sprinkles, and that's something. Tickets are now on sale for the popular interactive exhibit/Instagram portrait repository the Museum of Ice Cream, which will officially open its doors at the former Chicago Tribune building (435 N Michigan Ave) on July 16. If you manage to scoop a ticket to opening weekend (July 16–18), your ticket comes with a special gift bag. Otherwise, tickets for the exhibit cost $36 for weekday general admission or $44 on weekends, and special Halloween and Christmas celebrations are in the works.  The Chicago iteration of this bright, colorful social media favorite, which offers fun facts about the sweet history of our favorite frozen treats amidst the interactive exhibits, includes a few locally-minded twists, like a celebration of jelly beans—not only in celebration of The Bean, but also because Chicago has a longstanding association with jelly beans thanks to the Jelly Belly manufacturing facility in North Chicago. (We told you there would be fun facts!) Other installations include a dessert-themed indoor carnival with a mirror maze and cookie carousel, and a pink cloud-laced balloon room, complete with a game where you can throw virtual cherries at your buds.  And since it wouldn't be a Museum of Ice Cream without the signature treat, the exhibit offers five free-flow dessert stations, with a local twist of