The Windy City offers a host of activities to keep people busy year-round. That list includes kayaking and canoeing the Chicago River in the spring, surfing Lake Michigan in the summer, running and cycling in the fall and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. People will find plenty of groups to help them explore these activities.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Eight miles of the Chicago River flows through downtown, allowing canoeists and kayakers to observe such landmarks as the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the River City district and Chinatown. Kayak groups float the river several times a week, which makes them a learning resource for beginners. People also can rent equipment and get lessons from the many shops that line the river banks. Paddlers also can choose Lake Michigan for their water sports destination.
Surfing
Surfing has long been a Chicago tradition albeit an illegal one. For decades, surf fanatics would handle the waves on Lake Michigan before city police or park patrols would come by and start writing out fines. However, the city legalized surfing in 2009 off the 57th Street Bridge and Montrose Beach. Surfers won't find major waves, but the choppy waters in the late summer combined with an urban landscape make for a good venture.
Cycling
Chicago is one of America's cycling hubs despite the snowy winters, which tend to limit the amount of time people can hit the streets and trails. The city has created more than 100 miles of bike lanes in the metro area, while buses come with racks that allow cyclists to store their bikes while using mass transit. Cyclists don't have to look that far for group rides, as many clubs host social riding events each week and there are several major road races during the year.
Snowboarding and Skiing
Four Lakes Snowsports is a snowboarding and skiing park located west of Chicago in Lisle. This resort offers beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes as well as rental shops. The Chicago area also is home to Raging Buffalo, which was the world's first exclusive snowboard terrain park when it was built in the early 1990s. The city will also erect temporary snowboard ramps using a mix of real and fake snow at various times each winter in Millennium and Daily Bicentennial parks. The Chicago area has more than 80 snowboarding and ski clubs for people to learn more about the sport.
Running Events
With its miles and miles of urban trails in city parks, Chicago is a popular running locale. The Chicago Area Runners Associations has thousands of members, and many of the neighborhoods in the city have their own running groups. Runners can choose from more than 100 road races each year, including the famed Chicago Marathon, which is one of the world's top five events for people looking to run 26.2 miles. In addition, the Chicago Track Club also serves area sprinters by helping cultivate and encourage speed training.
Member Comments