Memorial Day weekend marks the official beginning of Summer. Whether you spend it grilling, traveling or simply hanging out, there’s always that feeling that says “this is the beginning of a good season”. This year, while we were supposed to get rain and thunderstorms all weekend long, we actually got warm weather and mostly sunny skies (well, except for the actual Memorial Day, where we got a tornado warning… but then again, it wouldn’t be Chicago without these mood swings!). So, overall, I’m in a good mood, and I put together this list of things to do during summer in Chicago! I hope it makes you as excited as I am for the upcoming season of fun in the sun!

 

Go to a Baseball Game

I’m not here to dictate whether you should be a White Sox fan or a Cubs fan (though you should really go for the latter!). You are free to pick your baseball experience whether you’re a good old North Side Cubs fan or a South Side Sox fan, but please, enjoy a baseball game in the summer. It’s the quintessential summer-in-Chicago thing to do.

Everyone knows I’m a Cubs fan and I think games at Wrigley Field are one of the best things you can do in Chicago overall. They’re a great time and the perfect way to hang out with friends while watching some sports, eating hot dogs and drinking beer. The stadium, being one of the last ones that still looks the way it was originally built, is beautiful in itself and takes you back in time. And the neighborhood of Wrigleyville on game day is something you just have to see, with bars, crowds and crowded bars. It’s overall an incredible experience.

However, I do have to say two things in favor of the White Sox. First of all, the tickets are usually way cheaper than the Cubs. On weekdays, you can snag a ticket to a Sox game for anywhere around $7. I just checked and the cheapest tickets for the game tomorrow are $2. Two. DOLLARS! You won’t EVER find Cubs tickets at that price. The other thing is, the Sox have better food at the stadium, that’s not even up for debate. It’s a bit cheaper, it tastes better and there’s much more choice.

Therefore, pick your poison and even if you’re not into baseball at all, grab a few friends and head to the stadium.

 

Lay on the Beach

We might have no nearby ocean and an eight-month-long winter, but here in Chicago, when summer hits, we head to the beach. What’s more summery than actually laying down on the sand, perhaps with a drink, definitely with music and a good book? We are lucky enough to get to do that in Chicago, while overlooking a beautiful skyline of skyscrapers.

 

Attend One of the Many Music Festivals

I have honestly lost count of all the music festivals that hit the town during summer. Whether you’re into classical music, pop, rock, punk or EDM, you’re sure to find something that suits your musical needs in Chicago. You’ve got Lollapalooza – our most famous festival – but also Northcoast, Ravinia, Pitchfork, Riot Fest, Spring Awakening and Mamby on the Beach. Not to mention the free ones you’ll see around town like the Chicago Blues Festival! This city knows how to do concerts, so you should definitely put at least one on your list.

 

Stuff Your Face at Taste of Chicago

I’ve written about Taste of Chicago before – you can read the whole post here – and I definitely consider it one of my favorite things about summer in Chicago. If you don’t know what it is, it’s basically a big food festival where a lineup of more than 80 restaurants, vendors and food trucks set up booth at Grant Park and sell smaller portions of their bestseller dishes, allowing you to try a bunch. It’s basically a foodie paradise! I go every year, and always discover a new favorite restaurant there. I also make sure to try something I’ve never eaten before. Whether you’re down to try candied bacon or Aussie pies, head to the Taste this year and enjoy the best foodie experience the city has to offer.

 

Head to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Oh, ice cream. The most perfect example of summer food. You all know I grew up in Italy, and over there, ice cream parlors (gelaterie) close for the season around October, only to reopen in March or April. I remember, in my childhood years, the feeling of waiting patiently for the local gelateria to reopen: that was the sign that summer was right around the corner.

In Chicago, most ice cream stores, including Jeni’s, are open all year round. However, getting that first scoop of ice cream of the season still holds that special feeling for me. I choose to get that from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams because it’s simply the best ice cream I’ve found in the city. I love their unusual flavors: you’ll most likely see me get out of there eating their Gooey Buttercake, or Lavender, or their Goat Cheese and Red Cherries flavors. They’re the best, you have to try them for yourself!

 

Hang Out at Rooftop Bars

What’s better than patio season? Rooftop season. Chicago is full of raised bars that offer breathtaking views of the city. Some feature skyscrapers, some can show you the skyline from a different perspective and some will showcase the river from above, but one thing is certain: all of them will offer you bomb cocktails and a great time. This summer, follow your heart to the top of a building and sit outside enjoying the city we get to live in. Every now and then, you might run into me at Cerise, but the LondonHouse rooftop, Z Bar and the rooftop at The Robey are all on my list.

 

Just Enjoy the City

Last but certainly not least, just walk around and immerse yourself in the beauty of Chicago. We don’t get to enjoy this incredible city as much as we deserve to during the colder months. Take a walk, take it all in.

That’s all for now! I hope you are ready for another season of #summertimechi! What’s your favorite summertime Chicago activity? Let me know in the comments!