Meredith & Max
Things to do in Chicago
Chicago's Annual Air & Water Show
We're getting married the same weekend as the famed Chicago Air & Water Show. Think Fleet Week, but with boats, too. The main area is centered around North Ave Beach and surrounding areas. We recommend sticking to the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street to catch air and boat demonstrations, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.
Chicago Riverwalk
The 1.25-mile long riverwalk path is a new addition to Chicago in the last few years, and one of the more fun places to check out in the summer. Don't miss it! Head down to take a walk, have a drink, a snack, or a meal, and watch the boats cruise by. It's also an incredible place to take in Chicago's beautiful architecture along the river. The continuous path from Lake Street to the lake front also allows a vertical connection from Upper Wacker Drive down to the waterway.
Chicago Architecture Tour by Boat!
Take a fascinating river cruise with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and learn all about Chicago’s rich architectural heritage and history. This is one of our favorite Chicago activities! For Tickets go to: https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-foundation-center-river-cruise-aboard-chicago-s-first-lady/
Navy Pier
This family-friendly haven is home to the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Crystal Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass and all the Chicago tchotchke shops you could want. Don't forget to take a spin on the landmark Centennial Wheel. Great place for lunch or a fun snack, too. And if you're around on Wednesday the 17th, an awesome spot to watch the 9pm fireworks show!
Ride a Divvy Bike Along the Lake Front
Divvy is Chicago's bike share system, with hundreds of stations and thousands of bikes across Chicagoland. It’s a fun, affordable and convenient way to get around. You can easily rent a bike with your Lyft app and tour the Lakefront. The fully paved path runs alongside Lake Michigan’s scenic shoreline and is the perfect car-free way to check out some of the city's most popular beaches.
Chicago Water Taxi
Explore the city of Chicago from the Chicago Water Taxi. The Chicago Water Taxi connects several Chicago neighborhoods with various dining, sightseeing and shopping attractions.
Chicago Architecture Foundation Walking Tour
Downtown walking tours led by CAF docents include “Historic Treasures of Culture and Commerce,” “Chicago Modern,” “Food & Architecture: 1893,” “Evolution of the Skyscraper,” “Hidden (Mostly Outdoor) Art” and more. For tickets go to: www.architecture.org
Art on the Mart
Projecting a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, Art on the Mart's summer program includes Ba Boom Boom Pa Pop Pop—an original video work by hometown artist Nick Cave featuring his iconic Soundsuits—as well as Billiken, which celebrates Chicago's annual Bud Billiken Parade depicting video and animated footage of the parade's youth dance groups and marching bands. Art on theMART's array of 34 digital projectors display the programs at 9pm every evening. The show is best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Fulton Market Kitchen
Explore Chicago's best restaurants! Fulton Market Kitchen is located in the West Loop just steps from Randolph Street Restaurant Row. The Kitchen artfully combines a variety of international cuisines, the inspiration of fresh local ingredients, and a grounding in classical technique.
Sundays on State
If you're here for the full day on Sunday, you could check out this Sunday festival after our Brunch. It shuts down a strip of State Street spanning from Madison to Lake Streets for activations, performances, food and shopping— and brings thousands of visitors downtown to check out everything from outdoor dining and browsing opportunities to pop-up karaoke and barre fitness classes.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA Chicago)
The MCA’s permanent collection spans media and movements from the 1920s to the present and includes works by Ansel Adams, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol.
The Art Institute of Chicago
If you only have a few hours, scout out the biggies: Wood’s American Gothic; Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte; Toulouse-Lautrec’s At the Moulin Rouge; Hopper’s Nighthawks; van Gogh’s The Bedroom; Monet’s Wheatstacks... OK, maybe you need more than a few hours! The Thorne Miniature Rooms on the lower level aren’t as flashy as the big-name artwork, but they’re also not to be missed!
John Hancock Building
Skip the pricy observation deck attraction, and head to the Signature Room on the 95th Floor for a drink instead. The lines are shorter, admission is free and the views are just as spectacular (especially the ones from the ladies’ room!)
Field Museum
Chicago’s museum of natural history is home to Sue the T. Rex—the most complete T. Rex in the world—and features permanent exhibits on the Tsavo lions, ancient Egypt and the Grainger Hall of Gems.
Shedd Aquarium
On Wednesday, August 17, check out live jazz at Shedd Aquarium! This popular series has festival-worthy lineup of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles. The Shedd terrace is a gorgeous place to have a drink, listen to jazz, watch fireworks, and take in the Chicago skyline at night. Fun perk - the exhibits at the aquarium are open during this evening event, too!
Sangria Festival Chicago!
If you haven't partied enough, Sangria Festival Chicago on Sunday draws a diversity of attendees while helping to raise awareness and funds for community organizations including Humboldt Park's San Lucas Church Hot Meals Program for their fight against hunger in our neighborhoods.