Moon 52 Things to Do in Chicago: Local Spots, Outdoor Recreation, Getaways

From that gallery in River North you haven’t visited yet to the lakeside weekend you keep meaning to plan, experience something new right here at home with Moon 52 Things to Do in Chicago.

• Cool things to do in and around the city: Wander over to the zodiac sculptures in Chinatown Square, or soak up some music and history at the Black Ensemble Theater. Try out surfing at Montrose Beach, rent a kayak on the Chicago River, or hike the elevated 606 trail. Browse for your next read at an independent bookstore, explore the street art in Pilsen, or admire the architecture on a stroll through the Beverly neighborhood. Catch a classic live blues show, sample Senegalese comfort food, or savor some Southside barbecue on a Sunday
• Day trips and weekend getaways: Cycle through the Morton Arboretum, connect with nature in Door County, dive into history in Galena, or unwind for a couple days at the perfect lakeside cabin
• Experiences broken down by category: Find ideas for each season, activities for kids, outdoor adventures, exploring Black history, getting to know a new neighborhood, and more
• A local's advice: Whether it’s a bucket-list museum or an underrated dive bar, local author Rosalind Cummings-Yeates knows the ins and outs of Chicago
• Inspirational full-color photos throughout 
• Easy-to-scan planning tips: Addresses, L stops, and nearby spots, plus tips for avoiding the crowds if you're heading to a popular attraction

What are you doing this weekend? Try something new with Moon 52 Things to Do in Chicago.

Winner of the 31st Annual North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) Travel Media Awards Competition: Best Travel Book or Guide, Honorable Mention

 

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates is a born-and-raised Chicagoan. She grew up on a placid South Side street, lined with wide lawns and laughter, called Avalon. Since then she’s lived all over the city and currently resides in Chicago's most diverse neighborhood, Roger's Park.
 
As an award-winning journalist, Rosalind has spent most of her career telling the overlooked and unexpected stories of her city, in publications including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago, and Ebony Magazine. She’s also the author of the book Chicago Blues: Inside the Scene, Past and Present.
 
What Rosalind loves about Chicago is that each neighborhood has its own personality, with its own rules, aesthetics, and even unofficial mayors. Its 77 neighborhoods come together to form the vibrant and warm essence of the city.