If you're into river ecology and restoration, you need to check out Urban Rivers - a nonprofit that works to revitalize the Chicago River by establishing floating wetlands with native plants! This summer, they launched their first Free Kayak Days at Bubbly Creek! I went with my friends and it w

You know summer is here when you see the hoards of Chicagoans waking up early for Green City Farmer's market! Early mornings at Green City = peak produce, perfect vibes, and seriously good bites. I tried the kimbap from Sidekick and my friend got the chicken & waffles!👩‍🍳💚 So much good food

Secret gardens + City charm 🌿🏙️ I live in Gold Coast and I wait every year for the Dearborn Garden Walk to happen!! For $35 per person, you can stroll through historic Gold Coast and get exclusive access to the beautiful hidden gardens, courtyards, and patios in the neighborhood! Jazz on the pat

Karaoke booths, claw machines, bowling lanes, & a lil air hockey rivalry 👾🎤🎳 My friends and I stopped here on a rainy weekend and it was so fun being a kid again and playing dance dance revolution, Mario Kart, arcade games, and trying and failing and occasionally succeeding at the claw machines

Southport Art Fest is one of my favorite summer activities to go to with my friends! There is live music, food, and a ton of unique vendors for everything ranging from jewelry, clothing, art, ceramics, candles, and more! I bought a beautiful hand crafted silver ring, blew some bubbles, and created

One of the best ways to wind down from a long day is to take advantage of Chicago's free Movies in the Park! This past week my friends and I watched "Selena" hosted outdoors near the Chicago History Museum. We came prepared with chairs, picnic blankets, snacks, and drinks, and it was so

My friend and I walked to Millennium Park for during our lunch break and lo and behold there was an open rehearsal happening for the Grant Park Music Festival! Every Tuesday-Thursday in July from 11am-1:30pm, the orchestras performing that night have an open rehearsal for folks to enjoy! If you wan

If you live in Chicago you know about Lollapalooza - one of Chicago's most iconic music festival in Grant Park! Last year I got to see my favorite artist Saint Levant, and this year I can not WAIT to see Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter! 📍 Where: Grant Park, downtown Chicago – right on th

My grandma used to bring me to the Chicago Botanic Garden all the time as a kid, and now I love taking her there! Located just outside Chicago in Glencoe, this 385-acre botanical garden situated on nine islands in the northern Cook County Forest Preserves is a MUST VISIT. I love going to the Japane

I flew in a HELICOPTER for the first time and I felt like I was on the Bachelor LOL. Beautiful skyline views of the city and I can only imagine how BREATHTAKING it would be during sunset. Vertiport Chicago in Pilsen is Chicago's only downtown heliport and you can book a gorgeous skyline 15 min

I found the best way to fight off the Sunday Scarys and its to soak in the good vibes at the 2025 Sunday BBQ Series at Sportsman's Club! Every Sunday from 5/18 - 9/7, Sportsman's Club is hosting some of Chicago's best restaurants like Taqueria Chingon and Kimski on their patio for good

I recently discovered Global Gardens Chicago and their free Second Saturday Concert Series 🌱🎶 Every second Saturday from May to September at 4815 N Sacramento Ave in Albany Park, come experience global sounds and food at Global Gardens - a farm supporting refugee families in Chicagoland! This pa

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon a FREE art showcase in one of the gorgeous mansions in Gold Coast! The Palette & Chisel Arts Academy in the Gold Coast is running a free group exhibition running June 13–22, showcasing beautiful new works by Paula Herrera, Mark Huddle, Mary Klug, Michele Soncini

I found the hottest summer party and it is Club Capri hosted by Thank You For Dancing. A rooftop dance party at either Tetto or Castaways Beach Club every Friday & Saturday from June 13 to September 19. My friends and I went to one at Tetto last Friday and were obsessed with the aperol spritz a

One of my favorite summer street fests in Chicago is Andersonville’s Midsommarfest 🌸🎶 I went this weekend with my best friend to see EssoFunk, a global funk band I discovered at Porchfest that was performing at Midsommarfest Sunday night! In addition to live music on the 5 stages, there are vintag

Old Town Run Club was the first run club I joined after moving to Chicago and it will always have a special place in my heart! Saturdays at 8:30am. Meet at the Fountain Girl statue in Lincoln Park. 3ish miles, 10 minute pace, yapping with new friends and running with a lake jump at the end! The mus

If you’re even slightly musically inclined or just love good vibes, you’ve gotta check out the Open Jam at Café Mustache in Logan Square 🎸✨ It happens every third Tuesday of the month, and it’s one of the most welcoming, creative spaces I’ve been to in the city. Musicians of all levels can hop i

Hot Girl Summer is here and what better way to lock in than with FREE sunrise pilates classes on the beach! Every Friday from 6-8am until August, Olivia hosts RISE Pilates Club at Oak Street beach. Just bring a mat or towel and come hang! More information on the SweatPals site! Search "RISE

The best way to make friends in the city and take advantage of Chicago summer is to join a Beach Volleyball League! 🏐🌞 My friends and I signed up with Chicago Sport Social Club and we play every Thursday at North Ave Beach just in time for the prettiest sunset skyline view! Starting mid-to-late May

If you ever find yourself downtown on a Thursday, please make a stop at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market 🌻 It’s open every Thursday from 7am–2pm and has the best mix of fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods—perfect midweek reset 🌞 (there's also a live DJ sometimes!) I love grabbing pastries