Chicago in the Summer Top Ten List

Kayak the Chicago River-The Chicago river, which is probably best known for being dyed green every Saint Patrick’s Day, is a great way to see the city while getting a nice work-out. Kayak tours on the river will take you through the heart of downtown in what has become known as Skyscraper Canyon. On both sides of the river you will be surrounded by amazing architecture which provides for great picture taking opportunities and a unique way to see Chicago. Alternatively, if for some reason you are unable to do the kayak tour, you can jump on a Water taxi and for just $2 take the trip from Sears Tower to Michigan Avenue. For more information visit the website links below:

http://chicagoriverpaddle.com/chicago.html
http://www.shorelinewatertaxi.com/commuterrates.php

Visit a Comedy Club-If you have heard of Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Dan Akroyd, Steve Carell, or Stephen Colbert, then you surely realize that Chicagoans are a funny bunch. Many of the most prominence comedic personalities have had their start in Chicago, which is why a visit to a Chicago comedy club is a must. You will find the “Second City” comedy troupe theater in Chicago’s Old Town Neighborhood as one of the premier destinations for funny people all across the nation. “Second City” which has been around for nearly 50 years draws large groups of visitors and is known for producing many cast members of “Saturday Night Live.” Near North and Wells you will also find Zanies, a small comedy club that features both well-known and up and coming comics. I love going to Zanies because such an intimate atmosphere allows you to chat with the performers after the show. The seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure to arrive early. Tickets to Zanies are $22 plus a purchase of two item minimum is required, expect to spend about $35-$40 in total. Also note that this venue is open for those over 21. Best way to get to either Zanies or Second City, is from the Sedgwick stop on the Brown line, or Clark and Division stop on the Red Line (about half a mile walk away). For more information visit:

http://chicago.zanies.com/
http://www.secondcity.com/

Free Concert in Millennium Park- While talking to numerous visitors to Chicago, I found one commonality, everyone seems to love Millennium Park. As the name denotes, the park was built to celebrate the arrival of the second millennium, and has quickly turned into one of the biggest tourist attractions in Chicago. Throughout the summer, the park is a great place to take a stroll, admire the modern art, and also to listen to music at the Pritzker Pavilion. While sitting on the lawn, grab some food and a blanket and picnic out while listening to a free concert, which takes place weekly. Millennium Park offers an ideal opportunity for visitors to relax and enjoy themselves away from the hustle and bustle of the “Loop”. For a list of events in Millennium Park visit http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/

Michigan Avenue Shopping-When foreigners come to the United States, often shopping is at the top of the to-do list. Michigan Avenue provides a great opportunity to do just that. With both high-end and mid-level stores, everyone is sure to find a suitable shopping experience. Just because, the stores are located in the middle of the city, does not mean you cannot find a bargain. If shopping is not of much interest to you, taking the stroll from the Tribune Tower to the John Hancock building will provide an excellent opportunity for people watching and enjoying local street performances. If you feel energetic continue your walk up to the Gold Coast and explore some local boutiques and fine restaurants. Grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream at the intersection of Rush and State and watch all the fancy cars go by.

Although Chicago has many more things to do and see, I wanted to provide you a list of my favorites which are by no means all-encompassing. Some of you might also be interested in events such as Taste of Chicago and the Air and Water Show, or a visit to Navy Pier, all of which I have left out. Although these events can be unique, more often than not they are extremely crowded and attended by suburbanites and other visitors to the city, rather than Chicagoans. Whatever activities you decide to undertake, I truly hope you enjoy your stay in Chicago.

-Peter Razumovskiy, volunteer