Chicago has a lot to offer tourists. While the city is famous for its food, deep dish pizza is not the healthiest choice for dinner. Luckily, the city offers many opportunities to both get a workout and do sightseeing at the same time. Thanks to its location next to Lake Michigan and its skyline, Chicago is an attractive city that will keep you occupied while burning calories.
Running
At the beginning of October each year, the Chicago Marathon is held. Approximately 45,000 people participate each year on the course that goes as far north as Addison Street near to Wrigley Field where the Cubs play and as far south as 35th Street near U.S. Cellular Field where the White Sox play. The race starts and ends in Grant Park. If you aren't up for a 26.2-mile run, visit the city's beaches and run along the paths there. The beaches span most of the city's border on Lake Michigan, so you will have plenty of room to run, all while getting a nice view of Lake Michigan.
Biking
Once it gets warm outside, Chicago is a great place to have a bike. You can avoid the traffic and see the city from a different perspective, all while getting some exercise. Lake Shore Drive is normally filled with cars, but at the end of May, you can take your bike onto the highway and Bike the Drive. Lake Shore Drive runs from south Chicago all the way north between Lake Michigan and the city. The Bike the Drive event blocks access to all cars for one morning. You can bike the length of the highway and choose to either bike one-way for 15 miles or do the round trip route of 30 miles. The event begins at 5:30 a.m. Vehicles are stopped from entering the Drive at 9 a.m. After the ride, there is a festival that includes music and all-you-can-eat pancakes. The registration fee is $45 and all the action starts at Columbus and Jackson Streets in downtown.
Dancing
Dance the night away under the city lights as part of Chicago's SummerDance event. For 11 weeks, professional dance instructors teach participants different dancing styles. The classes meet on Thursday to Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. Each year over 100,000 people take part in SummerDance. The sessions break down with the first hour focused on teaching the dance style for the evening. The next two hours are for practicing your moves. You will learn dances like the waltz and salsa, among others. The event takes place in Grant Park.
Museums
Visit Chicago's many museums and get a workout for your brain. Buy the Go Chicago Pass, which gives you access to 30 attractions in the city. You can see the Art Institute of Chicago, which houses famous paintings like "American Gothic." You can also go to the museum campus where the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Adler Planetarium are located. A one-day pass costs $66.99 for adults and $44.99 for children.
Parks
Visit some of Chicago's parks and see the sculptures on display, along with sights of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. Millennium Park features Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean" and which reflects the city's skyline. You can also see Cron Fountain, which shows pictures of different Chicago residents' faces. Water is spit out of a fountain near the faces' mouths and is a popular spot for children to run around in. You can get an outdoor workout by walking to neighboring Grant Park and walking on the almost three miles of paths. You can also head down toward the lake for a beautiful view.
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