But open them at your own risk.
Category: Summer Guide
Posted inCity Life
There’s no joy in Bruce Rauner’s Springfield
A journey into the heart of Illinois’s bureaucratic darkness: the state capital
Posted inCity Life
Striving for a peaceful summer in a very violent year
With youth sports leagues and summer jobs programs, Englewood community groups will try to keep kids occupied and out of harm’s way.
Posted inCity Life
110 reasons to mark your calendar
110 summery things to do, every day from now until Labor Day 2013
Posted inCity Life
Summer Guide: Spiritual guidance, and bourbon, in Louisville
Summer Guide: camp in the hills, ride the Bluegrass Parkway, and Shakespeare in the park
Posted inCity Life
Summer Guide: 110 things to do this summer
Summer Guide: 110 things to do this summer
Posted inArts & Culture
Summer book fairs
Little City Book Fair Billed as the largest used book sale in the midwest, this annual sale also offers CDs, DVDs, comic books, and collectibles. Proceeds benefit the Little City Foundation, which supports children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. 8/19-8/21: Fri 5-10 PM, Sat 10 AM-9 PM, Sun 10 AM-5 PM, Harper […]
Posted inCity Life
From scavenger hunts to beachathons to obstacle courses, the race is on
Mud pits, banana costumes, ice cream flavor identification . . . these are some of the summer’s more idiosyncratic competitive events. Most require advance registration, with prices—listed per person unless otherwise noted—increasing as race dates approach. Urban Assault Ride In teams of two, cycling scavenger hunters head to a dozen-odd checkpoints, stopping for activities like […]
Posted inCity Life
Farmers’ Markets: where to go for your greens
This year there are more farmers’ markets to choose from than ever, from Green City Market and the large city-sponsored one in Federal Plaza to markets in so-called food deserts like Pullman and Lawndale. Our annual guide follows. MONDAY Loyola 3:30-6 PM, 6/6-10/17, 6542 N. Sheridan TUESDAY City Farm Market Stand 3-6:30 PM Tue-Fri, 7/12-9/30, […]
Posted inCity Life
Alfresco: 25 notable spots for outdoor dining
Hundreds of the city’s restaurants and bars set up outdoor dining catering to customers starved for summer. We’ve selected 25 notable spots, including some newcomers; for complete alfresco listings search under “features” at chicagoreader.com/chicago/RestaurantFinder/Page. 90 Miles Cuban Cafe | Wicker Park/Bucktown | $ The second outpost of Alberto and Christine Gonzalez’s 90 Miles Cuban Cafe […]
Posted inCity Life
Blarney Island: A mile away from reality and dangerously close to paradise
“Babes. Bikinis. Bands. Boats. Beer. We think we’ve got it covered!” That’s the loaded promise that greets visitors to Blarney Island’s website. Each of the B-words pops up next to an empty square, which is promptly filled in with a large, exaggerated check mark as calypso music blares. Naturally, the checklist sits next to a […]
Posted inCity Life
Exploring Chicago Craft Beer Week
Now in its second year, Chicago Craft Beer Week features dozens of tastings, beer dinners, brewery tours, and new brew debuts between May 19 and 27 (chibeerweek.com). A Beer Passport, available online and at all events for $10, serves as a guide to the week’s events and a ticket for a few featured events each […]
Posted inCity Life
The Reader’s 2011 Chicago Summer Guide
The best food, booze, beaches, concerts, festivals, and activities in Chicago – and beyond
Posted inCity Life
The resurgence of a Benton Harbor beach
Compared to Michigan, Chicago offers bigger, better, and more of many (OK, most) things. But Michigan’s Harbor Country, as it’s known, has bigger, prettier, and more impressive beaches—unless it’s the Oak Street scene you’re going for. A mere 60 miles across the lake from Chicago and just west of the Paw Paw River, Benton Harbor’s […]