Oh, Chicago. Just as I’m starting to wonder why I live in this frozen Midwestern tundra, you gift us with gorgeous sunshine, warm breezes coming off the lake, and a whole array of things to do. Chicago really comes alive in the spring and summer, and you can tell how happy it makes everyone. It’s almost like we live in two different cities—our reward for making it through December-February is this amazing, vibrant Summertime Chi. There’s pretty much an endless number of summer activities in Chicago, each one just so much fun. These are a few of the activities I look forward to most, but I’d love for this list to be collaborative—let me know what your favorites are, and I’ll add them to the list! 

Outdoor bars and restaurants:
Parson’s Chicken and Fish
Sportsman’s Club
The Dawson
Somerset
Hopleaf
Kaiser Tiger
Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association
Summer House Santa Monica 
RM Champagne 
Sheffield’s 
Barcocina 

Things to do in the city: 
Green City Market (my absolute favorite)
Movies in Millenium Park 
Kayaking on the Chicago River 
Ravinia 
Cubs game at Wrigley Field (or White Sox!)
Join a Social Sports League
Bike along Lake Michigan (the water could not be bluer or more beautiful)
Lincoln Park Zoo
Architectural Boat Tour 
Windy City Smokeout 

Things to do outside the city: 
Indiana Dunes
Starved Rock State Park 
Galena, Illinois (my family has a house here, it’s such a charming little town!) 
Chicago Botanical Gardens 
Frank Lloyd Wright Tour in Oak Park
Michigan or Wisconsin (so many cute lakeside towns!)

Happy Saturday! 
xo, 
Carolyn