Chicago may be nicknamed the Windy City, but the summer season offers countless opportunities to get outdoors and experience the Midwest destination alongside its locals.
Chi-Town features tons of landmarks and attractions while hosting a plethora of festivals and events year-round, though the festivities tend to ramp up as the weather improves.
Whether you're passionate about art, music, food and drinks or simply desire to sit back and enjoy a world-class firework display over Lake Michigan, Chicago has a summer experience just for you.
Lallapalooza
Lallapalooza has been one of the world's premier music festivals for more than two decades, transforming Chicago's Grant Park into a musical paradise populated by hundreds of thousands of fans each summer.
The four-day festival isn't limited to one genre either, with star-studded lineups featuring rock, pop, hip-hop and EDM acts. Therefore, tickets aren't easy to get and will cost you a pretty penny, but a one-day pass is all you'll need to secure some unforgettable memories.
This year's festival runs Aug. 3-6 and will feature headliners Chance The Rapper, The Killers, Muse and Arcade Fire.
Learn a New Dance
If you want to groove to some music this summer for free head over to Grant Park's Spirit of Music Garden on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, June 23 through Sept. 10 for Chicago SummerDance. Admission is free and dance lessons are provided before the music begins.
Whether dancing solo, with your better half or as a group, you'll have plenty of room to get down to the dozens of live bands on the 4,900-square-foot open-air floor.
Fireworks Over Lake Michigan
Nothing says "summer in Chicago" quite like fireworks over Lake Michigan. Check out Navy Pier on a Wednesday (9:30 p.m.) or Saturday (10:15 p.m.) night between Memorial Day and Labor Day to catch a free firework display.
You'll want to get there early and find a spot near the Dock Street Stage to ensure you won't miss anything. You certainly won't be bored if you arrive too early since Navy Pier is home to a variety of restaurants and shops.
Feast Along the Magnificent Mile
No place does deep dish pizza quite like Chicago, and the Magnificent Mile is home to a slew of amazing pizza restaurants, including Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, Connie's and Giordano's.
You can't go wrong with any, and once you've satisfied your appetite you'll be ready to explore more of North Michigan Avenue. Tour it on a segway, check out a comedy show or visit one of many world-class museums.
[READMORE] READ MORE: The 5 Best Pizzas in Chicago [/READMORE]
Skywalk the Skyline
Take in the view of a lifetime from the Ledge at Skydeck Chicago. The Ledge's glass boxes extend more than four feet outside of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, allowing visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of Chicago from more than 1,350 feet up in the sky.
Afraid of heights? Don't worry, there's still plenty of other things to see and do as part of the complete Skydeck Experience, including museum-style exhibits and multi-media elevators.
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