Four great activities for Spring in Chicago
Spring is just around the corner and there’s probably no one more thrilled about it than midwestern USA. After a long, rough winter, it is amazing to feel the sun on your face and to be able to trade that heavy winter jacket for a lighter one. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favourite things to do for spring in one of my favourite cities: Chicago!
Lincoln Park
Usually in the left in the shadow of more centrally located Millennium Park, this peaceful oasis is situated just north of downtown Chicago. Here you’ll find Lincoln Zoo, which has plenty of exotic animals and is also free for you to enjoy. There are also plenty of lush grounds, which is perfect for a picnic in the sun.
I also have to mention Lincoln Conservatory, which is at the northern end of the park. It is filled with beautiful flowers and offers a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Lincoln Park Conservatory was stunning when I visited last spring
Chicago River boat tour
If you’re only doing one tourist activity in Chicago, it should definitely be the Chicago River boat tour. There are several tour companies and tours available. We went with the classic 90-minute Architectural Wendella Boats Tour and had a really good experience.
Unfortunately, almost every day was cloudy during our time in Chicago, so we couldn’t really pick a good day for the boat tour without compromising on something else. Also, there was a 50 % discount on Tuesdays at the time which we happily accepted.
The architecture of Chicago is absolutely stunning, and it is even better seeing it from the water.
Quite pretty how the stripes of the Illinois state flag matches with the water in the left picture.
Admire the coastline
Chicago is blessed with a long coastline due to its position along Lake Michigan. This offers plenty of good skyline views and beautiful beaches within a 15-minute walking distance from the city center. That is unique for the US, as the distances are usually big, and it takes long to get from one place to another. This is also what I love about Chicago, it is so easy to get around, and 90 % of the places you want to see are within walking distance. Wherever you are in the city, you will be near the water, and it’s easy to find a scenic spot for a little coffee break or picnic.
Take a walk along the river
You have probably seen pictures of this river being dyed green for St Patricks Day. That tradition is probably equally established as Christmas by now. What you haven’t seen, is probably that there is a nice and wide walkway along both sides of the Chicago River, which is free for everyone to enjoy. Now, if you didn’t take the boat tour, you will get a pretty good view of the city’s beautiful architecture when taking a walk by the river.
This is also a great tip if you want to squeeze in a little bit of exercise into your trip. These areas would be great for jogging. With these views, even I would work out on my vacation.
Do you have any other tips for spring activities in Chicago? Let me know in the comments!
