Mentioned by 10Best
Miles of Serenity and Activities Found throughout Chicago Parks
"Another of Chicago’s must-visit sites is the incredible Navy Pier which juts into Lake Michigan and offers up all kinds of fun and family-friendly entertainment. Lined with carnival rides, gardens, and an endless array of enticing attractions – the kilometre-long pier has something for everyone to enjoy with countless restaurants and shops also dotted about. While wandering along the pier, you’ll come across everything from theaters and museums to public plazas and performance spaces with lots of cultural events and festivals held here over the course of the year."
"Play and learning are bridged together at this museum, where kids can: tackle the Cloud Buster, a 30-ton, 37-foot-tall steel dreamscape that celebrates adventure and risk-taking — qualities that are inherent to childhood — excavate dinosaur bones, explore the way water moves through pulleys and pipes, pretend to fight fires, and discover how our skyline full of buildings is created through architecture and engineering."
"Head over to Navy Pier to go up on the Centennial Ferris Wheel!. A fun way to get an amazing view of Chicago and the lakefront. You can get tickets through the Go Chicago Explorer Pass or check with the Loew’s hotel – they sometimes have specials going where you can get tickets with your stay."
"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"
"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."
"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."
"The park that gave the neighborhood its name is Chicago’s largest. Its 1200 acres stretch for 6 miles from North Ave north to Diversey Pkwy, where it narrows along the lake and continues on until the end of Lake Shore Dr. On sunny days locals come out to play in droves, taking advantage of the ponds, paths and playing fields or visiting the zoo and beaches. It's a fine spot to while away a morning or afternoon (or both)."
"Once you’ve gotten your fill of sky-high views, catch a ride up to Lincoln Park, one of North Side Chicago’s trendy residential neighborhoods, and named for the city’s largest park, which is the lakeside centerpiece of this part of town. The Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory are both fun to wander through, but I love Lincoln Park for its cafes, boutiques, and adorable homes."
"If it’s warm enough when you visit, try one of the beaches in Lincoln Park. The park also houses a zoo and museums."
"BridgeportWhen you think of Bridgeport, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t nature. And this park (nicknamed “Mount Bridgeport” and formerly known as Stone Quarry) fits right in with a 27-acre site that has transformed itself from quarry to landfill to park. Cruise the crushed stone running path and peep the fishing pond and wetlands as you stroll the grass amidst preserved quarry walls at this neighborhood hidden gem."
"Opened on the site of an old limestone quarry, Palmisano Park unfurls an urban prairie landscape with great views of the Chicago skyline. Locals come here to fish for bluegill in the lagoon in summer and sled the hills in winter. The winding walkways, made of recycled construction debris, are great for a stroll anytime."
"Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty."
"No matter where you relocate to, bowling is always a fun activity. Waveland Bowl is a fun place to bring out your old ball and hit a few pins. Located right smack in the center of the North Center neighborhood, you can enjoy the alley, play some pool and have a drink – it’s good for late-evening fun in the Chi."
"Sportsman's Club is a template for a new wave of reborn neighborhood dive bars with cocktails and beer selections that rival some of the country's best. Do take a shot from the in-house amaro machine while chatting up the chef and industry crowd, or play a game of chess on the boards built into the tables, or relax on the expansive backyard patio."
"This bar attracts a number of folks from far beyond Humboldt Park borders thanks to a funky, taxidermy-filled interior, a sprawling backyard patio, excellent drinks and as the name implies, a sporty vibe. It is very famous in the neighborhood because of the fact that it provides. quality drinks while not hitting hard on your wallet."
"At the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, You’ll find thousands of artifacts, books, posters, photographs, maps, and manuscripts, ranging from military medals to swords, that tell America’s history through the eyes of the citizen soldier. Take a tour any day of the week (free with admission) or wander collections ranging from WWII and Korean War training comics to medical research files on topics like early ambulances and Civil War nurses. Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 S."
"The Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago is dedicated to highlighting and studying military history. Founded in 2003, the museum now has more than 115,000 objects, 67,000 books, and 9,000 photos. The collection includes rare military memorabilia, glass negatives, posters, artwork, and videos."
"Museum admission is always free for anyone with an active military ID, the Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. General free admission days for 2020 are:. April 6 – Centennial of WWI"
"We won’t lie to you and say these macarons are the most Instagram worthy of those listed here, but we all know you should never judge a book by its cover. Chef Toni’s signature macarons offer some of the most unique flavors we’ve heard of, including strawberry lemonade, made fresh at the cafe on Washington Street. What we love most about this patisserie is its option to create your own custom order."
"After Art Smith lost the lbs., he turned his attention to a casual chain serving food that fit his new, healthy lifestyle. That meant the fried chicken had to go, and was replaced with an un-fried version served alongside roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and cashew cream sauce that maxes-out at 566 calories."
"While not an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, Lyfe Kitchen's locations promote a healthy lifestyle by placing vegetables above all else in their menu. Try their vegan beet poke or Beyond Burger to see what we mean."