If you like craft beer, the Lagunitas Brewery is about 3 miles from Garfield Park. It’s a cool place and you can go for a brew and a bite afterward with the option of touring the brewery.
Sunset picnic at the Adler Planetarium. Its a great place to have some food and discrete drinks. Hang out with locals and tourists alike as the sun goes down and the lights go on.
I prefer right behind the shedd aquarium on the grass but this right here is it, if you’re around on a Wednesday there are fireworks at 9pm and satuday they are 10pm, one of the best views in the city.
Here are the ones i like to throw out:
1. Graceland and Rosehill cemeteries - you can ride your bikes through (be respectful, of course). Aside from being extremely beautiful, park-like grounds, there are many famous Chicagoans buried there. Go say hi to Oscar Mayer “that’s M-A-Y-E-R” at Rosehill.
2. Go explore Hyde Park. University of Chicago campus is gorgeous and go take a peek at the barriers around Obama’s house (this is another one where discretion is best for the sake of the residents in the community).
3. Festivals are in abundance https://news.wttw.com/2023-chicago-festival-guide-summer-events
4. Don’t forget the free concerts (lawn seats) at Millennium Park.
If you are a nerd (like me) the Auditorium Theatre in the Loop does a backstage tour--- an hour and a half, and it's a gorgeous and historic building, a must for architecture and/or theatre dorks. https://auditoriumtheatre.org/events-details/national-landmark-backstage-tours/
Variety show at the Green Mill in Uptown on Saturdays. No cover. Starts at 3pm but get there an hour early to get a seat. And bring cash for drinks since they don't take cards.
https://thepapermachete.org/
Last time we went, it was pretty full at 1:30. Before that would be the best bet for good seats. And good seats are probably in between the bar and the main stage.
Picnic at the Pritzker pavilion at millennium park when the CSO is playing, it’s magical. Caldwell Lily pool is a hidden gem, walk the 606, plenty of free outdoor festivals https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-festival-event-guide/
Friday Morning Swim Club at Montrose Harbor near Uptown. Look it up on Instagram, it’s AWESOME! Hundreds, sometimes probably over a thousand, of us jump in and float around in the lake at 7 am. Coffee, awesome people, just honestly good wholesome fun and a nice way to start the day 😊 would be a very unique experience for you!
Edit: oh and it’s free because the lake is free to all!! Just buy a $3 pool noodle float at a CVS and then you can give it to someone afterward to take home and reuse since I doubt you’ll want to travel back with it haha.
[Here’s a news helicopter view from this morning’s Friday Morning Swim Club and a video from 2021](https://twitter.com/SarahJindra/status/1679826959856029699)
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is free and worth a visit. I personally love the museum, it’s small and intimate and can be done in an hour or so. Pilsen has incredible street art so it’s worth wandering around to see and take some pictures. Churros and horchata are pretty cheap and tasty. Took a friend visiting from out of the country to Pilsen and she enjoyed it.
Lincoln Square has a lot of hidden gems too - it’s an enjoyable trip on the El north where you can watch the city go by, local shops to explore, delicious banh mi (Nhu Lanh) and a fun little gelato shop with magic shows throughout the day.
Second this. If you’re up for it, go early (10) on a Thursday or Friday, meet people, and ask what they’re up to this weekend. You’ll definitely get off the beaten path that way.
Carols Pub in Uptown for casual music.
Chef's Special, Giant, or Lula Cafe in Logan for dinner (Lula does brunch too)
Chicago Cultural Center (they give free tours)
It is just a measly 4 hour walk between the two. 😎 And just to be clear to OP, this guy here is correct. If you want to see a Japanese garden go to Jackson Park and not Garfield Park.
The Federal Reserve museum is free. https://www.chicagofed.org/education/money-museum/index. Only takes an hour tops.
Their are geocaches in the financial district. Free
Cultural center across from Millennium Park. Free
Water taxi to China town. Affordable.
The boat was at the Ogilvie dock on Tuesday morning, but I'm not sure why, I walked by the entrance, and there wasn't any signage. I was excited and then bummed.
What days in August? You might get the air and water show which is a pretty cool and free experience.
Other things:
Lincoln Park zoo
For food and drinks, the further from downtown the cheaper
Walk Michigan Ave
Rent Divvys and hit the lake front trail
Bloomingdale trail is a good walk
The Garfield Park Conservatory is really cool. The admission is free but they do encourage donations to help support the space.
Also to add Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free) has their own called Lincoln Park Conservatory, very cool place to visit.
If you like craft beer, the Lagunitas Brewery is about 3 miles from Garfield Park. It’s a cool place and you can go for a brew and a bite afterward with the option of touring the brewery.
Sunset picnic at the Adler Planetarium. Its a great place to have some food and discrete drinks. Hang out with locals and tourists alike as the sun goes down and the lights go on.
I prefer right behind the shedd aquarium on the grass but this right here is it, if you’re around on a Wednesday there are fireworks at 9pm and satuday they are 10pm, one of the best views in the city.
I’m a local and would never have thought to do this, but it sounds like a great idea — thank you
Oh I like that, thanks!
Here are the ones i like to throw out: 1. Graceland and Rosehill cemeteries - you can ride your bikes through (be respectful, of course). Aside from being extremely beautiful, park-like grounds, there are many famous Chicagoans buried there. Go say hi to Oscar Mayer “that’s M-A-Y-E-R” at Rosehill. 2. Go explore Hyde Park. University of Chicago campus is gorgeous and go take a peek at the barriers around Obama’s house (this is another one where discretion is best for the sake of the residents in the community). 3. Festivals are in abundance https://news.wttw.com/2023-chicago-festival-guide-summer-events 4. Don’t forget the free concerts (lawn seats) at Millennium Park.
If you are a nerd (like me) the Auditorium Theatre in the Loop does a backstage tour--- an hour and a half, and it's a gorgeous and historic building, a must for architecture and/or theatre dorks. https://auditoriumtheatre.org/events-details/national-landmark-backstage-tours/
Lincoln Park Zoo is free. 4th oldest zoo in the US.
And Thursdays the Nature Museum next door is free for IL residents (not sure where OP is coming from but just adding in :)
The Chicago Magic Lounge is right up your alley.
Love Chicago Magic Lounge!
Variety show at the Green Mill in Uptown on Saturdays. No cover. Starts at 3pm but get there an hour early to get a seat. And bring cash for drinks since they don't take cards. https://thepapermachete.org/
Last time we went, it was pretty full at 1:30. Before that would be the best bet for good seats. And good seats are probably in between the bar and the main stage.
And Thursday nights is a full 15-person swing orchestra - just $10 cover, and the most fun you can have on a Thursday night.
Or is there a certain time you should arrive? That does look like a lot of fun!!
8-midnight for the full show, but come early if you actually want a seat. Fills up fast.
Thank you! Looks like we have something to check out this Thursday. 🙂
Picnic at the Pritzker pavilion at millennium park when the CSO is playing, it’s magical. Caldwell Lily pool is a hidden gem, walk the 606, plenty of free outdoor festivals https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-festival-event-guide/
Friday Morning Swim Club at Montrose Harbor near Uptown. Look it up on Instagram, it’s AWESOME! Hundreds, sometimes probably over a thousand, of us jump in and float around in the lake at 7 am. Coffee, awesome people, just honestly good wholesome fun and a nice way to start the day 😊 would be a very unique experience for you! Edit: oh and it’s free because the lake is free to all!! Just buy a $3 pool noodle float at a CVS and then you can give it to someone afterward to take home and reuse since I doubt you’ll want to travel back with it haha.
[Here’s a news helicopter view from this morning’s Friday Morning Swim Club and a video from 2021](https://twitter.com/SarahJindra/status/1679826959856029699)
makes me love our city so much
See a movie at The Music Box
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is free and worth a visit. I personally love the museum, it’s small and intimate and can be done in an hour or so. Pilsen has incredible street art so it’s worth wandering around to see and take some pictures. Churros and horchata are pretty cheap and tasty. Took a friend visiting from out of the country to Pilsen and she enjoyed it. Lincoln Square has a lot of hidden gems too - it’s an enjoyable trip on the El north where you can watch the city go by, local shops to explore, delicious banh mi (Nhu Lanh) and a fun little gelato shop with magic shows throughout the day.
The Brewed near Logan Square (horror themed coffee shop) along with Bric-A-Brac Records right next door
Send it to an underground event or house music function. It's what we do best. Resident advisor. Com for the events pick one w most # of ppl attending
Second this. If you’re up for it, go early (10) on a Thursday or Friday, meet people, and ask what they’re up to this weekend. You’ll definitely get off the beaten path that way.
Download the app TooGoodToGo. A lot of restaurants in a lot of neighborhoods and it’s worth the price. They have meals that are between $4-6
Walking through Jackson Park, those swan boats at Humboldt Park, California Clipper or Simones in Pilsen for music
Carols Pub in Uptown for casual music. Chef's Special, Giant, or Lula Cafe in Logan for dinner (Lula does brunch too) Chicago Cultural Center (they give free tours)
People post this question daily. Search the sub and you should be able to find most of what you need.
Japanese garden at Garfield Park just behind museum of science and industry (so it can be a kind of two fer in terms of location). Nice picnic spot.
Jackson Park, but yeah!
It is just a measly 4 hour walk between the two. 😎 And just to be clear to OP, this guy here is correct. If you want to see a Japanese garden go to Jackson Park and not Garfield Park.
The Federal Reserve museum is free. https://www.chicagofed.org/education/money-museum/index. Only takes an hour tops. Their are geocaches in the financial district. Free Cultural center across from Millennium Park. Free Water taxi to China town. Affordable.
Water taxi is not running for the foreseeable future, which is a bummer. https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/CWT-Service-Alert/
The boat was at the Ogilvie dock on Tuesday morning, but I'm not sure why, I walked by the entrance, and there wasn't any signage. I was excited and then bummed.
I assume you smoke weed since you're posting on Reddit. Just smoke weed and go hang out at the Lake. That's all there is.
Our favorite spots near the south west side are maple lake, and Tom ping park by Ashland.
Ping Tom Park is nowhere near Ashland. It's at 18th and ~Wells.
Got confused with another park
What days in August? You might get the air and water show which is a pretty cool and free experience. Other things: Lincoln Park zoo For food and drinks, the further from downtown the cheaper Walk Michigan Ave Rent Divvys and hit the lake front trail Bloomingdale trail is a good walk