The Windy City offers so much to see and explore, the toughest decision you’ll likely face is where to begin. Chicago, Illinois is a bustling metropolis full of architectural wonders, a bike-friendly city with a gorgeous path right along Lake Michigan and an outdoor playground with swimming beaches, tennis courts and golf courses just minutes from downtown.
Walking
Downtown Chicago has taxis and buses galore, but the city can easily be explored by foot. Why not walk, and make your sightseeing good for your mind and your body? From world-class museums, such as the Art Institute and the Field Museum of Natural History, to outdoor orchestral concerts in Millennium Park, to architectural wonders like Louis Sullivan’s Auditorium Theatre and Prairie School style homes, Chicago has it all.
Hiking
Hikers can pack a picnic lunch and head to any of the forest enclaves on the city’s Far North, Northwest and Southwest Sides--or walk the 18-mile lakefront bicycle path. If the hustle and bustle of big city life gets to be too much, try a day trip to nearby Kankakee River State Park, which boasts more than 30 miles of hiking trails.
Biking
Avid cyclists likely will want to tackle the busy lakefront bike trail, which runs along the scenic shore of Lake Michigan for a full 18 miles. Alternately, feel the thrill of riding through Chicago’s city streets. Don’t worry—it’s a very bike-friendly place.
Tours
If you feel uneasy about exploring the city on your own, try a guided tour. Some companies offer walking tours, while others guide you by bike; you can even tour the city by Segway. Bike Chicago offers a variety of tours by bike and Segway, including a “Presidential Bike Tour” dedicated to President Barack Obama’s life in Chicago. Or, take a walking tour that focuses on Chicago’s rich architectural heritage; the folks at the Chicago Architecture Foundation offer several, depending on what neighborhood you’re most interested in. Walk Chicago also offers a walking tour of public art in the Loop—a great way to get exercise while also learning about this facet of the city’s cultural life.
Tennis
For tennis lovers, Lincoln Park, the Lake View neighborhood and Rogers Park all feature private and public courts. Tennis On the Lake, which offers lessons at courts in many areas of the city, also has a shop where you can pick up all the rackets and balls you’ll need. See Resources for lesson locations and the address of the tennis store.
Golf
If golf is your activity of choice, you can play at one of Chicago’s finer 18-hole courses: Harborside International Golf Center south of the city or the challenging Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, not far from the lake.
Water Sports
When the weather is nice, enjoy jet skiing, swimming, sailing and rowing in Lake Michigan.
References
- “Chicago”; Time Out; 2009
- “Chicago City Guide”; Karla Zimmerman, Lisa Dunford, Nate Cavalieri; 2008
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