There’s no reason to stay inside on a visit to Chicago (even if it is known as the Windy City) – it has a stunning skyline with skyscrapers like the Willis, Vista and Tribune Towers that will keep you looking up for hours. There is plenty to see and do al fresco. Here is Culture Trip’s guide to the best outdoor activities in Chicago.
This stunning 18-mile (29km) stretch along the shore of Lake Michigan starts from Kathy Osterman Beach in Lincoln Park and ends at the South Shore Cultural Center. The city’s vibrant skyline is in constant view, and you’ll be able to walk, stroll or run past Navy Pier and Grant Park. There are markers to tell you how far you’ve gone and drinking fountains along the way. Most importantly, you don’t have to complete the entire journey. And if you get too hot along the way (obviously only applicable in the summer), you can always jump in the lake to cool down.
This city centerpiece park is home to some of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. It includes Museum Campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. But its main focal point is the stunning Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, which was built in 1927. It has since become a huge tourist attraction and is a perfect location to take in the breathtaking lakefront views. There are also stunningly manicured gardens where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Lawn seating for this stunning outdoor concert venue is free, and the venue often hosts a mix of live music, from indie rock to Pacific Afro-Colombian. Designed by Frank Gehry, it is one of the world’s most state-of-the-art outdoor music pavilions. And you never have to worry about being too far from the stage with this truly immersive experience. If none of the music suits your taste, why not head down anyway, where you could take part in an outdoor yoga class or check out one of the many outdoor film screenings.
If art is your thing, then you’ll definitely need to check out Yoko Ono’s Skylanding, which is made up of 12 large steel lotus petals rising up from the ground in the Garden of the Phoenix. The sculpture was designed by the famous activist and artist as a symbol of peace and is on the site of a pavilion built by the Japanese government for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Another reason to visit is that the park is also the home of the beautiful Osaka Japanese Garden.
Chicago’s beaches can become crowded, particularly the closer you get to the Loop. So why not head Uptown where you can lay on the sand and feel the sun on your skin. There are plenty of amenities, and if you do get sick of sitting around enjoying all that sunshine, you can hire a volleyball court or rent a kayak.
Officially titled Cloud Gate by Indian-born British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, ‘The Bean’ is the centerpiece on the plaza at Millennium Park and is a must-see on any itinerary for Chicago. It was unveiled at the opening of the park in 2004 and has become a symbol of the city, and one of Chicago’s most photographed landmarks. It’s one of the best ways to capture the city’s skyline while still remaining in the picture at the same time. The shiny artwork is polished once in the morning and again in the evening. There’s also a crew who wipe it clean up to seven times a day to ensure there are no fingerprints left behind.
