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Things To Do in Chicago When it's Hot Out

By Nicole Muto

Looking for ways to beat the heat in the Windy City? Even though Chicago's nickname implies that the breeze is always flowing, on a sweltering day that may not be the case. And while there are plenty of things to do in Chicago, when it gets this hot you might start to plan your day around where you'll find the most AC exposure. Luckily, Chicago is full of diverse attractions that will keep you busy on the hottest of days. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Chicago when it's hot out, including...

  • Shedd Aquarium
  • SkyDeck Chicago or 360 Chicago
  • Shoreline Architecture River Cruise
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Adler Planetarium
  • The Field Museum
  • Chicago's Children Museum
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center
  • The Escape Game Chicago
  • Museum of Science and Industry

Shedd Aquarium

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The Shedd Aquarium is a gateway to an underwater world. With 32,000 fascinating marine animals living within the complex, it is one of the most diverse and awarded aquariums in the country. See animals from fresh water, salt water, terrestrial and aerial environments at six different themed exhibition halls. At Waters of the World travel to the rivers of Asia and the Great Lakes as you explore 80 different habitats and animals. At the Caribbean Reef, take a 360-degree tour of a reef full of sea turtles, moray eels, sting rays and florescent-colored tropical fish. When visiting, make sure to check out special exhibit Underwater Beauty, which showcases 100 species from around the world that represent the different colors, shapes, and styles of life below the surface. Getting in: Shedd Aquarium tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

See Chicago from above

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Chicago is well-known for its beautiful skyline and unique architecture, so its no wonder there are two different observation decks to choose from. Luckily, both of these popular decks are included on Go Chicago Card. We'll break down the two of them for you:

  • At SkyDeck Chicago, you'll travel 1,353 feet up to the 103rd floor for unbeatable views of the city. The building itself, Willis Tower, is considered to be one of the most famous architectural marvels and is one of the Seven Wonders of Chicago. From above, you'll be able to see from Navy Pier to Soldier Field. The most exciting part of SkyDeck is The Ledge, a glass balcony that extends out from the building to give you a better view.
  • 360 Chicago's observation deck is located on the 93rd floor of Hancock Tower and provides a view of Chicago's skyline that seems infinite from above. The sun-filled observatory space allows for views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier and the sprawling landscape of the Windy City below.

Shoreline Architecture River Cruise

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One of the best ways to take advantage of the breeze is aboard a ship cruising through the Chicago River. The Shoreline Architecture River Cruise showcases the beautiful buildings that surround the coast of the river. Float by buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe, Skidmore Owings Merril, Helmut Jahn and more. As you cruise, your guide will provide you with a background on Chicago's architectural history and style. Getting in: Shoreline Architecture River Cruise tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

Art Institute of Chicago

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The Art Institute of Chicago is consistently voted among the Top Museums in the World by TripAdvisor. As the nations second-largest art museum, there's no limit to different pieces and styles you can explore here. With an impressive collection of art that spans across different mediums and styles, its no surprise as to why this cultural institution is so popular. Peruse modern photography, contemporary sculptures, architectural and design masterpieces and more. Some of its most famous works include the Chagall America Windows stained glass windows, Matisse's Bathes by the River, and Georgia O'Keefe's Black Cross, New Mexico. Getting in: Art Institute of Chicago tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

Adler Planetarium

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Come explore 91 billion light years of history at the Adler Planetarium! Located in Chicago's Museum Campus, the planetarium is one of the coolest places to bring the whole family. Kids and adults alike will love the chance to learn more about our solar system through interactive exhibits and shows. Join the search for the 9th planet in Planet Nine or crawl, climb, and fly through Planet Explorers. The adventure never ends at Adler Planetarium! Getting in: Adler Planetarium tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

The Field Museum

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You might've picked up on this already, but Chicago is full of top-rated museums and institutions. The Field Museum is another one you shouldn't miss! The Field Museum is where you can journey through time and explore our past, present and future. Known for its leading scientific research, the state-of-the-art exhibits that live within the halls of the complex are second to none. Descend into an ancient Egyptian tomb, join scientists as they research the power of DNA or explore over 10,000 years of Chinese culture. The museum does a perfect job of combining education with interactive and fun ways of learning. Getting in: Field Museum tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

Chicago Children's Museum

This is the perfect place to bring the kids when they've had enough of the heat. Located right on Navy Pier, the Chicago Children's Museum will keep everyone busy for hours. Each exhibit at the museum is aimed to teach children a different learning experience through interactive and fun displays. At Play it Safe, kids can explore a realistic firehouse. In the Tinkering Lab, they'll have the freedom to innovate and create with various different DIY projects. The kids will be entertained all day long and parents can sit back and enjoy the learning process. Getting in: Chicago Children's Museum tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Another great place to go with the family is the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center. This massive indoor space is filled with LEGO®-themed exhibits, construction demonstrations, interactive areas, and exciting attractions. Kids of all ages can enjoy the different activities and demonstrations that take place throughout the day. They'll learn the best LEGO® building secrets from Master Model Builders, become part of the LEGO® story at the 4D Cinema, and can save the princess on the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride. LEGO® lovers will cherish their time spent here as they learn and build firsthand. Getting in: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

The Escape Game Chicago

Can you escape? Test your skills, grit, smarts, and ability and see if you have what it takes at The Escape Game Chicago. An escape room is the perfect place to go on a day when the heat is just unbearable. At Escape Game Chicago, you'll have your choice between four different themed escape scenarios. Choose from Mission Mars, Gold Rush, Prison Break or The Heist. You'll race against the clock during each of them to escape! While children are allowed to participate in The Escape Game Chicago, it is recommended for players age 13 and up as some of the content may be too difficult for younger children to understand. Getting in: The Escape Game Chicago tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

Museum of Science and Industry

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Recently named one of the Top 25 Museums in the United States by TripAdvisor, the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is another great museum to visit while in Chicago. The 14-acre campus makes it the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere! MSI offers dynamic, hands-on activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Explore a real World War II German submarine, control a 40-foot indoor tornado, display your own pulse inside the 3D heart and navigate through a mirror maze. Kids and parents alike will enjoy all that there is to see at MSI. Getting in: Museum of Science and Industry tickets are included on Go Chicago Card.

More Chicago Attractions

There’s no shortage of things to do in Chicago when it’s hot out, and the suggestions above are just some of our favorite indoor activities. We hope you'll add a few to your Chicago to-do list. Check out a Go Chicago Card to see all 28 Chicago attractions, and see what you can do this summer in Chicago!

Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

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10+ things to do in Chicago with teens

It's never easy planning a vacation that keeps everyone happy, but we think Chicago has got you covered. Read on for our top tips and crowd-pleasers for teenagers.
Katie Sagal
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Things to do in Logan Square, Chicago

Looking for a cool place to stay in Chicago? Give Logan Square a go. This up-and-coming district is full of modern fun for any discernable customer. Let us tell you why! These are the best things to do in Logan Square, Chicago! Including: Logan Theater Logan Arcade Farmers Market Lincoln Lodge Rosa's Lounge and more! Catch a flick Suggesting a cinema visit might seem a strange suggestion for a vacation, but when your theater is named after the district you're in, and its sign is one of the area's most recognizable, that changes things somewhat. Inside The Logan Theater, you'll find multiple screens playing both big-budget blockbusters and lesser-known indie darlings. The sound and visual quality on offer are well known throughout Chicago, so you can expect an excellent experience when you go. Compound all that with the theater's lounge, where you can grab a drink or even catch a comedy show or pub quiz, and myriad midnight screenings of cult gems, and you've got yourself a nailed-on night out. Game on Want to put your friends and family to the proverbial digital sword? Take them down to Logan Arcade. Inside this repurposed hardware store, you'll find a number of excellent old-school arcade cabinets featuring nostalgic greats like Pac-Man, Q-Bert, and Street Fighter 2, as well as pinball machines themed around old films and games. Keeping the whole thing aloft is a fantastic bar with local craft beers, spirits, and cocktails to keep you refueled. And, if all that gaming gets you hungry, Fry Like An Eagle is in residency there, offering delicious vegan junk food to all and sundry. Farm to your table Do you long for fresher produce than your local supermarket? Do you want to give back to the local community? Are you planning on making your own meals while visiting Chicago? If you answered yes to some or all of these, go seek out Logan Square Farmers Market. Every Sunday, you'll find seasonal produce, fresh meats, delicious fruit and veg, and even some baked delights ready to be eaten! In warmer months, you'll find the market sprawled out to make the most of the sunshine. When things take a turn, they retreat into a nearby building. To the benefit of everyone, we're sure you'd agree. Get funny When they say laughter is the best medicine, are they insinuating that it's only needed by the sick and infirm? Something for you to ponder. In the meantime, leave your existential thinking at the door and enjoy some great comedy at the Lincoln Lodge! The self-proclaimed longest-running independent comedy shop in America, Lincoln Lodge host a number of improv, stand-up, and sketch performers every week. With previous luminaries including the likes of Hannibal Burress, you've every chance to find the next big thing when you go! Music and drinks Many things don't go hand in hand quite like music and drinks. So why not combine the two and head to Rosa's Lounge, Logan Square's premier blues club? For nearly 40 years, it's been the go-to for blues lovers who want to sit, sip a cocktail, and tap their foot to some old-school R&B. The real old-school R&B, not the synchronized dancing sort. This family-run joint has a rotation of regular acts throughout the week. However, every weekend, performers from across the country make the pilgrimage to play on the lounge's stage. So, if you want some great music to pair with a cocktail or two, give Rosa's Lounge a look in. Park hangs Let's move from inside to out, into the warm embrace of nature. Parks are the city dweller's escape from the concrete jungle, giving them the chance to touch grass and look at colors other than grey. Lucky for you, Logan Square has some great spots to sit down and take a breather. Humbolt Park may be a far cry from its original, animal-rich self, but there's still plenty of green to see and things to do. Take a tour of the lagoons, play a few sports on the available courts, go for a run on some of the back paths, or go see the Humboldt Boathouse for yourself. They don't make buildings quite like it anymore. Or, go for a walk around The 606. This disused railway track worms its way through parts of the city, giving you the chance to see many of Chicago's amazing landmarks. It's popular, mind, so you will not be alone. However, ignore the pedestrians and pretend you're an explorer in the post-apocalypse. Or something, you do you. Food for thought All that exploring's gonna get you hungry, there's no doubt. Thankfully, you've got some great spots that'll sort that rumbling tummy right out. Nothing beats pie, and nothing beats Bang Bang Pie Shop's pie. Sweet pies, savory pies, meat pies, veggie pies, they've got it all, along with a fantastic selection of freshly-made biscuits with just about whatever you want on them. Yes, please. Formerly acclaimed joint Fat Rice, Noodle Bird has now taken over. Offering up a delicious selection of Asian street food, it's as good on the go as it is at the table. Their signature dish is live-fire charcoal-grilled chicken, with an assortment of veg and rice. Pick up some canned wine while you're there, and pretend you're more sophisticated than you really are. How about some New American cuisine to make you feel even more sophisticated? Daises do just that, with a seasonal rotation of pasta dishes with a New American twist. And as a modern joint, you can expect vegetarian alternatives for each dish. Do yourself a favor and get the gnocchi. Sublime. Chicago Nights Let's end this list on the nightlife. Your last port of call when the daylight hours are dwindling. Surprising no one, Logan Square has a great selection of nighttime haunts to test out. Longman & Eagle is a hipster spot where you can expect '60s whiskey cocktails from Millennials with tattoos. It's a great spot to spend the night and strike up a conversation with the bar hands or patrons. And hey, why not make new friends in a new city? You never know when you'll be back. Another great cocktail spot is Scofflaw, which has a more colorful variety of drinks on offer. Their focus is gin, which is all the rage these days. Mother's ruin has become the go-to spirit of the millennial crowd. And with good reason. Or, have a dance and play a few rounds of Skee Ball at Slippery Slope, which has plenty of beers, cocktails, and LGBT-friendly nights to boot! And that's our list of the best things to do in Logan Square, Chicago!
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in The Loop, Chicago

You there! Are you visiting Chicago at some point in the future? Are you wondering which districts to check out during your visit? Do you like loops? Well, The Loop might just be the perfect place for you to visit during your vacation. Here are some of the best things to do while you're there! Including: Grant Park Shedd Aquarium Eat Drink Shopping and more! Grant Park Let's begin, then, with one of the city's most significant green zones; the one and only Grant Park! Named after the late, great Ulysses S. Grant, this behemoth of a park measures over 300 acres. Step inside, and you'll find a world of entertainment. Perhaps the park's biggest draw is Millennium Park, where you'll find Cloud Gate. Referred to locally as The Bean, this massive, chrome, reflective sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Chicago, and has featured in many films and TV shows. But alongside The Bean, you'll find Buckingham Fountain, Maggie Daley Park, Art Institute of Chicago, The Court of the Presidents, and much more at Grant Park! The Field Museum Want to discover over 4 billion years of history in one place? Then you should check out the Field Museum! There, you'll meet Maximo, the largest recorded dinosaur ever found on Earth. Weighing in at over 70 tons, they were quite the beast! You can also experience what it's like to be a tiny bug at the Underground Adventure exhibit, observe scientists extract DNA in real-time at the DNA Discovery Center, and also watch fossils being prepared at the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet. All that and much more await you at the Field Museum. So, what are you waiting for? The Art Institute of Chicago Let's get cultural for a second, and talk about some art. In The Loop, you'll find the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the best-known art museums on Earth! Inside, you'll find hundreds of pieces from all across the globe, from older, more traditional masterpieces to modern marvels. With fixed collections as well as a rotation of amazing seasonal experiences, there's sure to be something inspiring at the Art Institute of Chicago! Skyline Lake Tour Want to see the city from a different perspective? Check out a Skyline Lake Tour. Take to the seven seas, or just the one in this case, and enjoy amazing views of Chicago's heavenly skyline as you spot some of the city's biggest and best landmarks. Beginning at Navy Pier, your trip will take you past the likes of the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and beautiful Grant Park. And, with a learned robot, or prerecording, narrating the significance of each spot, you'll learn all about modern Chicago. American Writers Museum Words. Powerful, plentiful, and often misused, words are the backbone of our civilization. Want to discover how Americans have used words over the centuries? Then head to the American Writers Museum in The Loop. Novels, speeches, poetry, and more are all housed within. See how historical events changed the approach of American authors, whether through war, financial collapse, or in response to cultural shifts. Learn how speechwriters changed the course of history. And discover how American poets touched the hearts and minds of millions. With a huge variety of words in all their forms on display, you're sure to find something mind-opening at the American Writers Museum. Shedd Aquarium Next, let's take a trip under the very oceans themselves. At Shedd Aquarium, you'll find a whole new world of wonder in the heart of The Loop. See exotic species of marine life from all corners of the world, from sharks to stingrays, and plenty more too! There are a wealth of exhibits to explore within, including a 360-degree tour at the Caribbean Reef, a look at South American fish species that occupy the Amazon at Amazon Rising, and a look at how a local community saved their coral reef from being wiped out at Wild Reef. All that and more ocean fun awaits you. So go get your snorkel and suit up! Eat! After all the activity, you might be feeling peckish. Never fear; we've got your hunger covered. The Loop has plenty of places to eat a wide variety of cuisine. Can't decide which to pick? Head to Revival Food Hall, which houses a large number of food vendors under one roof. Whether you're in the market for pizza, seafood, or Italian, you're sure to find something to turn your head there! Want a little fusion in your life? Head to Saucy Porka, which mixes Asian delights with Latin deliciousness. Wonder what a bao bun would be like if it was filled with some fried meat and beans? Look no further. Or, if you just want a snack to refuel you during the day, stop by Gayle's Best Ever Grilled Cheese. Sure, it's simply a collection of grilled cheese sandwiches. But grilled cheese is good. And these are some of the best you'll ever taste. Drink! Need a little refreshment in The Loop, or looking for a quality night out? You're in luck, because there are some great spots in the area you should check out. Monk's Pub combines a medieval exterior and modernized interior, replete with a load of beers on tap and bites to sample. Want a little blues with your booze? Head to Buddy Guy's Legends, which combines foot-tapping tunes with a delightful selection of drinks. Or, if you're feeling super fancy and the weather is fine, check out a rooftop bar like Raised or Boleo. Whichever you pick, you'll find top cocktails, good vibes, and great views of the beautiful Chicago skyline. Shop! And finally, let's end our list on a little shopping spree. The Loop has a load of great boutiques where you can pick up some slick accessories, threads, and everything in between. Of course, there's Macy's, where you'll find a world of shopping bliss and pretty much whatever you need. But there are also specialized shops like Optimo Hats for all your headwear needs, Madison Hall for your continental clothing supplies, and Graham Crackers Comics if you're looking for some special editions. And that's our list of the best things to in The Loop when visiting Chicago. Enjoy!
Dom Bewley

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