The Best Running Routes in Chicago
Chicago is a great place for joggers and runners, with beautiful, functional and convenient routes all across the city, getting you away from busy streets and constant red lights. While it definitely takes dedication to keep up with your routine during the long Chicago winter, knowing the city’s best trails, paths and parks can certainly help year-round.
The Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail
There are many reasons to run on the Lakefront Trail: the great views of the lake and city, the calm and peaceful atmosphere, the fresh air, and the motivation brought about by sharing the trail with many other runners and cyclists. Stretching for over 18 miles (28.9 kilometers) from Edgewater to South Shore, mile markers make it perfect for tracking both short and long distance runs, and it’s so long that you can mix up which sections you use each time.
The Lakefront Trail, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 742 7529
Northerly Island
Museum, Park
The 606
Hiking Trail, Park
North Shore Channel Trail
North Shore Channel Trail
The North Shore Channel Trail is quieter than many of these routes due to its location further out of the city, and there are many other reasons to try it. Starting in Ravenswood and running all the way to Evanston, 6.7 miles (10.8 kilometers) in total, woodland-surrounded sections of the path provide shelter from both the sun and the wind, and there are plenty of water fountains in parks along the way.
Chicago Riverwalk
Park, Architectural Landmark
Designed more with relaxing tourists in mind, the Riverwalk nevertheless can be an amazing place to run, surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic buildings and the flowing Chicago River. There may be pedestrian traffic at times, but it’s almost always better than the crowds, traffic and red lights on the busy streets above.
Lincoln Park
Park, Zoo
Humboldt Park
Park
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
