Chicago parks and outdoors

Enjoy the great outdoors at our parks and waterfronts.

Entertainment, Festivals & special events, Parks & outdoors

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

July 12 – Aug. 30, 2022 Free admission • Millennium Park Every summer in Chicago, visitors and locals flock to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at…

Blog, Parks & outdoors

Pick your adventure at The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Thrill seekers will want to make tracks to The Forge: Lemont Quarries, one of the largest outdoor adventure parks in the world. The year-round, 300-acre…

Chicago Theatre in spring with tulips blooming

Articles, Itineraries, Parks & outdoors

Things to do in Chicago in the spring

What’s spring like in Chicago? Tulips bloom along iconic Michigan Avenue, cherry blossoms pop up in Jackson Park, and city parks begin to overflow with…

Festivals & special events, Music, Parks & outdoors

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

June 20 – Aug. 18, 2022 Free admission • Millennium Park The Millennium Park Summer Music Series features free outdoor concerts, showcasing a broad spectrum…

Parks & outdoors, Sports & recreation

Ice skating in Chicago

One of the best parts about winter in Chicago is the array of charming ice rinks that pop up all across the city. These seasonal…

Parks & outdoors

Millennium Park ice skating

Ice skating in Millennium Park is a cherished Chicago tradition. Each winter, the downtown park is home to two unique public ice rinks. You can…

Blog, Parks & outdoors

Where to see fall colors in and around Chicago

Chicago’s many parks, gardens, and natural areas are gorgeous year round — but they’re particularly stunning in the fall. That’s when you can see stunning…

Published on September 7, 2021 by Kelsey O'Connor

Food & drink, Parks & outdoors

Chicago Riverwalk restaurants and bars

The Chicago Riverwalk is one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, where you can find public art, boat tours, kayak rentals, and open green…

Parks & outdoors, Special events

Celebrate spring at Chicago’s best flower and garden shows

Chicago is a city with a lot of nicknames, but one of the most fitting is Urbs in Horto — Latin for “city in a…

Published on February 27, 2020 by Amy Bizzarri

Museums & art, Parks & outdoors, Tours & attractions

The Bean (Cloud Gate) in Chicago

Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, is one of Chicago’s most popular sights. The monumental work of art anchors downtown Millennium Park and reflects the city’s…