This massive urban park in the heart of Chicago encompasses Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Buckingham Fountain. Grant Park is home to summer events such as Lollapalooza, the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and was the site of President Barack Obama’s 2008 Election Day victory speech.

Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a Chicago cultural landmark. Each year, the pier sees millions of visitors who ride the 150-foot tall Ferris wheel, explore the Chicago Children’s Museum, or attend a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Throughout the summer Navy Pier also puts on regular fireworks shows at sundown every Wednesday and Saturday night, with additional shows throughout the summer. Learn more about Navy Pier »

Some may consider it a modern-day Woodstock; others may just go for the big names. Whatever the appeal may be, Lollapalooza is a three-day music festival that takes place in Grant Park, consisting of multiple, simultaneous performances, with the Chicago skyline serving as a backdrop. Past groups have included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, and Kanye West. Learn more about Lollapalooza »

While beaches line the shores of Lake Michigan, North Avenue Beach attracts the majority of visitors throughout the summer months. Both offer wonderful viewing for the Chicago Air and Water Show that occurs in mid-August, and if sand volleyball is your summertime passion, North Avenue Beach satisfies that desire, with countless sand volleyball courts. Explore our beaches »

This is the event everyone waits for -- the granddaddy of Chicago summer festivals. The 5-day spectacle attracts millions of visitors who come to experience a “taste” of some of Chicago’s finest local restaurants and eateries. For a city with such a unique and storied culinary history, this event cannot be missed! Learn more about the Taste »

If your pride and allegiance is strong with the South Side, you’re probably a White Sox fan. Getting to U.S. Cellular Field takes only about 15 minutes from UChicago’s campus, and is a great way to spend a summer evening, with some of the games ending in fireworks performances. The history here lies in the fans -- loyal South Siders often trace their fandom to their relatives that lived around the Old Comiskey Park. Learn more about the White Sox »

If you hop on the same El train outside U.S. Cellular Field and head 30 minutes north, you’ll find yourself at historic Wrigley Field. Cubs fans are some of the most loyal (and tormented) fans in all of sports. Let’s be honest, if you’re a true Cubs fan, you’ve been through a lot. But there’s something magical about an afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Learn more about the Cubs »

The Pitchfork Music Festival is a three-day event showcasing over 40 of indie music’s best bands and artists on three stages in Union Park. Organized by the magazine of the same name, Pitchfork is a reasonably priced summer music festival that provides an overwhelmingly positive, comfortable and fun festival experience for both attendees and musicians. Learn more about Pitchfork »

Drawing over two million people to the shores of Lake Michigan, the Air and Water Show is the oldest and largest show of its kind. Spectators gather on beaches, rooftops, and boats to watch the event, which includes highlights such as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights. Learn more about the Air and Water Show »