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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

7 Favorite Things to Do in Chicago

Favorite Things to Do in Chicago During the Summer

Every summer that I’ve lived in Chicago I create a summer bucket list of things I want to do during the season. This year I am simplifying the process by sticking to just my favorite things to do in the city instead of trying to do everything. Completing my check list will be a bit more challenging with two kids, but I’m up for the task!

My favorite things to do in Chicago:

  1. Standup paddleboarding: I have really enjoyed trying SUP as a way to get a workout and see the city from a different viewpoint. It’s also a nice way to get away if you think about it: everyone’s on the beach and you get some of the lake to yourself while on the water.
  2. Kayaking on Chicago River: Graham and I had a memorable date night on a sunset river kayaking tour and I hope to find the time to try this again.
  3. Baseball game at Wrigley Field: No summer is complete without baseball! (You can sub a White Sox game if that’s your jam, I guess.)
  4. Architecture tour: The evening architecture tour on the Chicago River doesn’t get old. I like to do this whenever we have visitors.
  5. Sunset cruise: Graham and I have done this cruise on Lake Michigan every summer. We love the views.
  6. Running on the lakefront path: I want to train for the Chicago Half in the fall, and I miss the trail! I plan to sign up for group training again.
  7. Brunch (bonus points for a rooftop!):  Sure, you can have brunch any time of year, but it’s the best and most fun during the summer when you can sit on the patio with your mimosa(s) in hand.

What would you add to this list? Have you visited Chicago during the summer? What was your favorite thing to do?

Related posts:

Chicago summer bucket list and on-the-go photo tips
Chicago spring bucket list

My Chicago Summer Bucket List & On-the-Go Photo Tips

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM2



Summer is breezing past us, and we still have many items left on our Chicago summer bucket list. Some of these activities I would do as part of my own self-care, and some would be fun to do as a family! My goal for the next weeks is to do as many of my wish list items as possible. I’ve already tried kayaking on the Chicago River and a mermaid fitness class, along with countless beach days, so with about seven weeks of summer officially left, I have exactly seven activities  left to do in the city. Sure, I’ve done most of these before, but they are certainly worth doing every year!

My Chicago summer bucket list for 2017:

1. Attend a new street festival. You can find a food, music or arts festival just about every weekend in the summer!

2. Embark on an architecture cruise on the Chicago River. These tours never get old!

3. Go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Michigan. I have tried SUP before, but I want to master it while taking in city views!

4. Watch a movie in Millennium Park. I recently went to a concert at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, where the movies are screened, and it reminded me that I never actually watched a movie there. Movies in the parks are a fun way to spend an evening, and they’re free!

5. Practice yoga on the beach. Outdoor yoga is so much fun!

6. Send summer off with a cruise on Lake Michigan. We’ve done this every summer since we’ve lived here.

7. Stroll around Lincoln Park Conservatory. Taking photographs of plants is one of my favorite activities.

Ready, set, go!

In the past I’ve shared my ideas to save money for travel, but there’s one more thing I’ve done to help me pay for fun, whether it’s exploring Chicago or visiting a new place. I wanted to capture the memories we create this summer and save money while also investing in my myself and my goals for this blog. With that in mind, I turned to Walmart Family Mobile’s $49.88 PLUS Plan (Unlimited Talk, Text & Data Plan), which is powered by T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE† network. I wanted to have a new tool to keep me connected, help me store and take photos, consolidate my photo and social apps in one place, and give me more flexibility. It was super easy and convenient to get started on Walmart Family Mobile’s $49.88 PLUS Plan and it includes up to 15 GB of 4G LTE† data, then 2G*. I picked up the LG L59 Grace from the selection of phones at Walmart and then getting activated took only a few minutes. There’s no contract and you can keep your phone number and even your phone.

 

Using the phone and the expanded 15 GB of 4G LTE† data helps me not only share my memories on social media and my blog more seamlessly, but it helps me keep more of a balance between my blog and my family life. It’s a plus that the monthly $49.88 PLUS Plan is easy on my wallet and has no activation fees or late charges, and you can pick from Walmart’s clear monthly plan options to fit your own budget.

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing.

 

Taking/sharing photos on the go this summer:

  • Don’t rush to get a shot. When you are in a hurry you are more likely to shake the camera or phone you are shooting with, which yields blurry photos. Take a deep breath and slow down. That means don’t worry about what other people think about you snapping a photo or getting your photo taken. Take your time.
  • Try multiple angles and poses. Instead of taking a phone at eye level with your subject, try getting down low or taking the photo from above. Step forward and back (while checking where you are stepping) to take the photo. Take the same photo at least three ways.
  • You can use either your camera and phone to take great photos. When using your phone, turn on the Pro or HDR setting and download photo editing apps to help you.
  • For the photos on my camera that I want to share instantly, I use a mobile adapter that was fairly affordable to send them to my phone and then upload them to social media using a Nikon app. It takes just a minute! The little adapter plugs into my camera and then I can see and download photos on my phone. I then share where I please.
  • Find the best natural lighting to avoid using the flash. I prefer photos without flash because they look more natural and better overall.
  • Use a tripod with a remote to take fun time-lapse photos (like when you watch fireworks at Navy Pier!). Tripods can be found in all price ranges, and often another object can act as a stand to keep your camera still as well.
  • Organize all your photo apps, social media and related apps in one folder on your home screen to make them easily accessible on the go. Don’t waste valuable time that could be spent exploring your city!

 

My home screen on the LG L59 Grace has folders for my social media, photography and other frequently used apps.

 

 

 

 

Besides offering the data to suit your needs, the $49.88 PLUS Plan also provides a free VUDU◊ movie rental credit valued at $7.00 each time you renew your service.

What’s on your summer bucket list? Share it with me in the comments!

*Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.

†To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

Disclaimer: ◊Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent. May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU’s website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

Connect with Walmart Family Mobile:

Twitter: @FamilyMobile

 

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Kayaking on the Chicago River

** Wateriders of Chicago provided a complimentary kayaking tour. All opinions are my own.

One of my Chicago summer bucket list items this year was to kayak on the Chicago River. I have wanted to do this the past two summers, but we have not been able to do so yet. Chicago summers are a dizzying blur of events and happenings, so it’s easy for time to escape without being able to cross off everything on your wish list. Not this year!

I set an intention to finally try this and to have more date nights with Graham, and Wateriders helped me accomplish that by inviting me on a sunset kayak tour on the Chicago River. We had the option to do a fireworks tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays during the Navy Pier fireworks in the summer), which I still want to do sometime, but the sunset option worked best for our schedules. They also offer a Ghosts and Gangsters tour (among others) that looked interesting.

Don’t worry about finding parking near the river. Wateriders validates parking at a nearby garage. (We paid $5 to park for a few hours, but you could also try Spothero.) You can also use the restrooms at the East Bank Club before the tour. The dock is located behind the club, so you just walk toward the bridge and there’s a sign next to the stairs leading to the dock. When you check in you can grab a plastic bag if needed, as well as store your belongings if you don’t want to bring them. You also need to grab your life vest and hear the safety training and rules of the water. It’s super important to stay to the right when kayaking on the Chicago, because you’re sharing the water with lots of other water vessels. Also, you can request either a single or double kayak, depending on your preference. Graham and I went with the double.

Getting into the kayak is nerve-racking for me, but the guides hold onto it for you so there’s no need to worry. From the moment we got on the water, the views were incredible. It’s a completely different angle of the city that you don’t get to see often. We just soaked it all in and took it easy on the paddling. We took a sort of T-shaped route along the river before returning, and the entire kayak tour lasted about two hours.

My favorite views were when the sun finally set and you could see more of the lights.

View of Merchandise Mart from the kayak.

I highly recommend this sunset kayak tour; it’s been one of my favorite experiences on the river so far. Watch my video below to see more of the tour!

What to bring: Clothing that you don’t mind getting wet, a jacket if you get cold, water, and a waterproof camera (such as a GoPro) if you want photos! Be careful, though, if you do bring any electronics, as you risk losing them.

kayaking, Chicago, sunset tour, what to wear
Have you done a kayak tour? Be sure to add this activity to your list if you live in or visit Chicago!

My Favorite Things I’ve Done in Chicago

I’ve tried to explore Chicago as much as I can since moving here in March 2015. I love trying different things to do and checking out new restaurants. I like to share the activities I have enjoyed most so far with anyone who is visiting Chicago for the first time. All of these fun things to do are easily accessible from the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which is conveniently located in The Loop, or downtown. The hotel puts you just moments from popular Windy City attractions like Millennium Park, where you can take your seemingly required “Bean” selfies, and the Lake Michigan lakefront. The Chicago skyline is gorgeous (see above), and this hotel lets you be in the middle of it. Plus the hotel has amenities like rooftop and indoor pools, a fitness center and pet-friendly rooms!

My picks for must-do things in Chicago:

  • Architecture cruise on the Chicago River.
  • Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field (or White Sox game at the Cell if you prefer). Both are just a short train or car ride away.
  • Taking in the views from the John Hancock Tower and Sears (Willis) Tower. You don’t need to pay for a ticket to the observation towers. You can grab a drink from the Signature Room if you don’t want to feel like a tourist!
  • Walking, running or riding a bike along the Lakefront Trail.
  • Eating at local restaurants! It is tough to nail down a specific place, because Chicago has so many amazing food options. And if you venture outside of the Loop you can find even more amazing eateries.
Attractions near the hotel that are still left on my Chicago bucket list:
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Field Museum
  • A show at Chicago Theatre
It’s easy peasy to book a stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel by joining Carlson Rewards, if you haven’t already. By joining, you get the Members Only Rate Exclusive from Club Carlson, which saves you up to 10 percent more at participating hotels when you book directly on Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (that includes Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson) brand websites and mobile apps. You can also enter to win 30,000 Club Carlson points — did I mention hotel stays start at 9,000 points?! (To be eligible, you must be a member of Club Carlson (or become a member).
In addition to the rate exclusive, Club Carlson members get perks such as:
• 20 points per U.S. dollar spent on rooms and food and beverage buys, plus food and beverage discounts.
• Elite status after just 10 eligible stays.

To enter the giveaway for 30,000 points, sign up to become a member and visit the Carlson website to find hotels! Comment below with where you would travel. Please provide an email address or social media handle so I can contact the winner and obtain your Club Carlson account information.

Giveaway rules: No purchase is necessary to win. Winners must be 18 or older and live in the U.S. to participate. Club Carlson will deposit the 30,000 points in the winner’s Club Carlson account. I will notify the winner via email and obtain the winner’s Club Carlson account number. The winning entry must follow the rules stated above. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email on October 10, 2016. The winner must reply within 48 hours or another winner will be selected from the remaining entries.

UPDATE: THE WINNER WAS CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING.

Chicago Water Taxi Ride

One of my Chicago bucket list items was to cruise on the water taxi. For native Chicagoans, this is probably a yawn, but I’m a newbie and I want to do everything. Charlsy was still in town after we returned from our weekend in Kentucky for Thunder Over Louisville, so we decided to take a ride to Chinatown to kill some time.

To get to the water-taxi stop, go to the Wrigley building and walk down the stairs to the waterfront. We did not know this. We walked down the waterfront, which sometimes smells like a sewer and sometimes like a garden, until we realized we had gone too far. We turned around and saw a water taxi across the river. We were dying of thirst at this point, so we hurried over. Again, we didn’t know where to go. We asked a random kiosk lady, who directed us around the Wrigley building. Luckily there’s a Walgreens at the base of the Wrigley building where we bought Nice (or Noice, as we pronounced it) water bottles for 99 cents. My scalp was burning as we wandered around looking for the stop, which is down the stairs or elevator to the river. You can buy your water-taxi ticket onboard. We paid $8 for an all-day ticket, thinking we’d cruise to Chinatown and back, which would make the cost worth it.
Chicago River, Chicago water taxi, architecture
It was the most gorgeous Chicago spring day we’ve had. The temperature went into the 70s (and maybe 80s?) and could aptly be described by the “Miss Congeniality” quote that goes: “not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” Actually nope, it was too hot for a jacket.
We were two of only three passengers onboard, and we sat in the front to check out the views. You can consider this a cheap version of the architecture tour with no narration. We soon discovered the boat was only going to the Ogilvie stop, across from the opera building. We learned this when we started to turn back and return to where we came. We asked the nearest crew member, who said the water taxi doesn’t go to Chinatown on weekdays yet, but it will in the summer. Welp, I probably should have looked that up. I was still deliriously tired from our weekend in Louisville, during which I didn’t slept well.
Despite our little setback, we had fun riding on the water on such a beautiful day. If you’re in a need of a break while walking around the Loop this summer, take a little ride with the daily commuters on the water taxi. I’m sure they love tourists.
Have you taken the water taxi? Were you a commuter or a tourist?
Check out my Chicago spring/summer bucket list for more ideas for what to do in the city!

St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago: Dyeing of the Chicago River

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Chicago river dyeing, St. Patrick's Day
Some of my favorite buildings above the green Chicago River.

I missed St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago last year, so this year seeing the dyeing of the Chicago River was a must for me. I wanted to see the river turn green and experience the festivities. Graham and I awoke at 6:20 a.m., a difficult feat on a Saturday. We took the train down to the river, where we saw the party had already started by 8 a.m. Revelers dressed in green from head to toe were everywhere I looked. People lined the river, waiting to see the boats. It was initially tricky to find a spot. People must have gotten there so early! But two people left their spots and we jumped in for a look. It didn’t take long for the river to have its green hue and for boats to start parading down the river. There was even a guy on a standup paddle boat! I would love to see the event from a boat; it seemed like the prime viewing place. We were in a good location, underneath some of my favorite Chicago buildings.

If you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day tonight, stay safe and have fun. Are you planning to celebrate? 
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