Summer in Chicago

Can you believe when I first dropped these photos into a draft post, the post was titled “Spring in Chicago”? I took the photos weeks ago, back when it was still officially spring! But the fact that I’m just now getting around to writing it is a true indication of what summer in Chicago is like. There’s just not enough time to do everything! I’m sure you’ve heard it before (even on this blog), but summertime in Chicago really is awesome. This is such an outdoors Chicago when the weather is nice. Whether you’re on a boat on Lake Michigan or browsing a farmers market, there’s always one more outdoor activity you want to enjoy before the weather turns not-so-nice again.

So since several weeks have lapsed since I originally took these photos and when they’re actually being posted, I thought I’d share what I’ve been up and what else is on my list to celebrate summertime in Chicago.

• I spent two weeks in Europe. Okay, so this might not seem related to the blog post at all. But it does. Steve and I were so excited to get back from our trip and be greeted by warm, beautiful weather that’s a quintessential Chicago summer. This is one of those cities I hate to leave in the summer months, and while Europe was very much worth it, I wasn’t too upset to return to beautiful Chicago.
• I attended Taylor Swift’s concert outdoors – twice! You probably think I’m a huge TSwift fan, but attending this concert twice actually was more wrapped into seeing friends than anything else. In fact, Steve and I planned our Europe trip around the concerts because I bought the tickets to the shows in Chicago and Columbus first! In Chicago, Taylor performed at Soldier Field, one of my favorite concert venues. Soldier Field is an awesome location in downtown Chicago. There are beautiful sights of the city at night and it always cools down in the hot summer because it’s next to the lake. Just be warned, you have to walk far to get in or out of a concert there.
• I’ve enjoyed the Riverwalk, right outside my office building. Working in Chicago’s loop has so many perks. One is that I’m close to the river and the recently redone Chicago Riverwalk. It’s so nice to use the riverside walking path when I need a quick break from the luminescent glow of office lights. Or, I plan a lunch date outside on the steps that provide great people watching. If you want to stick around after work, visit one of the many restaurants and bars that are tenants along the walk.
• I’m planning a 31^st birthday celebration at one of Chicago’s many great dog-friendly patios. For my birthday we had two couples confirmed. One has a crawling baby and the other has a puppy. This posed quite the dilemma on where we could celebrate. We needed somewhere dog-friendly and that would welcome a baby on the move. Suggestions included: Green City Market, Park & Field, Parson’s Chicken & Fish, or Hopewell Brewing Company (for just drinks). My celebration is this Saturday and plans keep changing by the minute so I’ll have to keep you updated on what we land on.
• I learned about a super easy boat rental company. As a blogger I get a lot of pitches. Some don’t apply to me at all. Others catch my eye because it’s something that would actually fit my lifestyle! That was the case when Get My Boat reached out. Think of it like the “Airbnb of boats” – it’s the world’s largest boat rental and water experience marketplace with listings worldwide. They offer a variety of trips with a captain and crew aboard. Now just to find friends who want to help me recreate Below Deck. (Sadly, Chrissy Teigen isn’t available.)

So what’s next on my summer docket? Well, a rose boat cruise for one! And no more travels planned through August! I can’t wait to stay put and have plenty of time to enjoy summertime in Chicago.