Things to Do in Chicago This Summer
Chicago makes up for its blustery winters with summer sunshine and high temperatures. Whether you choose to spend a day in the city’s parks, lounge on one of Lake Michigan’s beaches, or retreat to the air-conditioned calm of a museum when the afternoon sun feels particularly strong, here’s how to spend summer in the Windy City.
- Go for a cruise along the Chicago River, and admire the city’s famous skyscrapers from the water’s edge.
- Couple a sightseeing excursion to Millennium Park with a night of music at the Chicago Jazz Festival.
- Enjoy unparalleled fireworks views when you celebrate the Fourth of July aboard an all-night party yacht.
- Head to Grant Park, and come hungry: The Taste of Chicago Festival is one of the city’s most popular summer events.
- Retreat to the Art Institute of Chicago for a cultural immersion when the thermostat soars (or when summer thunderstorms roll in).
- Enjoy a celestial show at the Adler Planetarium —and go stargazing at its companion Doane Observatory.
- Sun yourself on one of Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches, such as North Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach.
- Combine a fresh-air stroll with the opportunity to chow down during a food-themed, neighborhood walking tour.
- Commune with aquatic life during an excursion to the delightful Shedd Aquarium.
- Indulge in an urban oasis when you visit the blossoms at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
6 Tours and Activities | All Chicago Tours
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
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Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). From Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 29 - September 6,) each ticket includes a one-way water taxi ticket.
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$38.15
From
$38.15
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Chicago CityPASS
297
Get the most out of your trip to Chicago as you enjoy discount access to five of the city’s top attractions with the CityPASS. This easy-to-use mobile ticket grants you free entry into top-tier sights including the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and the Field Museum as well as a choice of the Art Institute of Chicago or Adler Planetarium, and Museum of Science and Industry or 360 Chicago (John Hancock Observatory). Plus enjoy a wealth of useful Chicago tips and savings at a variety of other venues and retailers.
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$109.00
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$109.00
Private Chicago North Shore Half-Day Tour
Explore the affluent North Shore of Chicago on this guided, half-day sightseeing tour. Enjoy a scenic ride along Lake Michigan, passing by four cities, plus majestic mansions and historic American homes. Stop in downtown Evanston, with a visit to the Shakespeare Garden and the campus of Northwestern University. See other popular locations like Rogers Park, Loyola University, the Bahai House of Worship, the Chicago Botanic Garden and much more. All entrance fees plus a Chicago hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
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From
$352.00
Price varies by group size
From
$352.00
Price varies by group size
Chicago Full Day Bike Rental
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Discover Chicago's many delights from the comfort of two wheels. Simply pick up your full-day bike rental with lock, map and helmet and start exploring, either solo or with friends. Make your way through Millennium Park and to historic Wrigley Field, stop for a visit at Navy Pier or spend a couple hours watching sea turtles, penguins and even a piranha at Shedd Aquarium. You get to tour Chicago independently at your own pace and leisure without having to deal with parking or public transit.
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From
$24.99
From
$24.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago
1166
Experience a colorful side of Chicago history with this Gangsters and Ghosts Tour. With a historian as your guide, you’ll step back to the roaring 20’s, when the Chicago Loop was a hub for bootleggers, speakeasies, and gangsters like the infamous Al Capone. Visit onetime gangster hangouts and haunted sites like the Palmer House, Congress Hotel, and Death Alley.
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From
$27.00
From
$27.00
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
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Chicago River Kayak Tour
60
Set your paddle into the Chicago River on a leisurely 2.5-hour kayak tour past the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago. Both novice and experienced kayakers will be at ease on this excursion past sights such as the Civic Opera Building and the Marina City Towers. Hear fascinating tales of the Windy City as you gaze at a stunning architectural landscape from the water, just how the original Chicago natives originally navigated the area!
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