We’ve waited all winter for us to come out of hibernation! Now, granted our winter really wasn’t that bad this year, but still. The lack of sun and chilly days make for long Chicago winters. I take the winter to plan out our spring and summer because that basically helps me moving forward in the cold! It’s my only motivation sometimes! We basically wait for spring and summer all winter-long. So here is my Chicago Spring Bucketlist this year.

Outdoor Activities

Farmers Markets

This is actually what I look forward to the most each spring. There are so many good markets and Green City Markets just announced they are opening April 1st! Some of my favorites are the South Loop, Horner Park, Logan Square, Lincoln Square and Green City (on Wednesdays, Saturdays get busy!). We have an entire list put together are markets with days of the week and times. It’s a super great resource to have! You can find it here.

Patios

I love a patio lunch with a view @robertspizzaco in Streeterville. It’s on an inlet along the river! The pizza is really, really good and it’s nice to dine along the river if it’s nice out.

I love the a good brewery with a view like Metropolitan Brewery in Rockwell on the River in Avondale. You can sit inside or outside on their patio. Soul & Smoke just opened a new location there too so you can grab food and sit at the brewery. There’s always lots of families, dogs and nice to sit along the river! 

Earth Day at Gallagher Way- April 16th

I love events at Gallagher Way for the family! They are usually free (or under $20) and they have a wide variety of things for everyone. This Earth Day event is kicking off Earth Week on April 16th! They will have eco-friendly vendors to shop and earth day activities like painting for the kids! We will be there!

Cherry Blossoms and Osaka Gardens in Jackson park

These are absolutely beautiful and I literally miss every year! They are only there for a short time roughly end of April to mid May, but all weather depending. It can be pretty muddy in the spring! I’ve seen the photos and they look gorgeous! I am determined to make it this year.

We also love Osaka Gardens in Jackson Park. They are gorgeous gardens and truly makes you feel like you aren’t even in Chicago. One of the BEST spots for picnics too. I have a reel on it here!

Explore Chicago Public Parks

If the spring weather cooperates, I like taking the kids to Henry C. Palmisano Park in Bridgeport because it’s huge! There’s some climbing rocks, a track, fishing and amazing views of the skyline. At the top of the hill, it’s a great picnic spot.

Humboldt Park is also really pretty come spring and summer! In fact, we used to go all the time during Covid times. There’s so much space, you can feed the ducks, have a picnic etc.

I also love Promontory Point in Hyde Park. The views are gorgeous and you can sit on the rocks and chill (rocks aren’t kid friendly, but you can avoid them!). In the summer, you can find people grilling out, playing music, etc.

Another fun area is the Montrose Bird Conservatory at Montrose Beach. If you can catch the birds on a good day, you can see a lot of species. Also, Montrose Harbor has amazing skyline views and have a picnic.

Indoor Activities

Ravenswood Malt Row Crawl

Manny and I did this in the fall and want to go back. We bounced around from breweries and had such a nice day. Many of them allow kids (check before going), there’s food trucks that pull up to certain breweries and they have live music on the weekends at some. Here’s the website for a full list.

Flower Shows at the Conservatories

Both conservatories have Spring Flower Shows right now. We love the Garfield Park Conservatory! We actually just went and you can see it here. It’s free (just make sure to make reservations online- weekend slots fill quickly!), so warm inside and tropical feeling. It’s a nice rainy, spring day thing to do. My kids loved it too. Just make sure to book a few days in advance.

Free Museums Days

Chicago Fire Exhibit at Chicago History Museum- good for kids under 12

Adler Planetarium: every Wednesday 4-10pm

Museum of Science and Industry: April 18, 22, May 4, 9, 17 – 18 and June 1, 6 – 7

Chicago History Museum: April 4, 26, May 4, 29, 31, June 19, 28

Tea time

I just recently did tea time at London House for St. Patrick’s Day (but they have tea time year round) and it was so nice! The views are beautiful and the food was delicious! This might be strange, but I’ve typically only done tea time during the holidays, but loved it just as much in March! I also saw The Peninsula has a The World of Peter Rabbit themed tea time and this is adorable for Easter!

Paper Machete at Green Mill

This one is for the adults! I love love the Green Mill and in my late 20’s would go ALLLL the time. It’s iconic. Right now, every Saturday at 3pm, Paper Machete has a FREE performance with music, comedy and more! I think this makes such a fun date or out friends. Honestly, I’d go alone too. Haha

Candlelight 100 years of Warner Bros. at Music Box- April 20th

This is another event for the adults and hosted by Feverup. I think this sounds soooo cool! These candlelight concerts are a multi-sensory musical experience to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Warner Bros iconic magical moments from the Warner Bros. library at Music Box Theatre. Such a cool experience because the Music Box is an awesome venue (let alone after I did a tour, I’m convinced it’s haunted, haha).

And I am sure there are many more spring activities to do around the city, but here is just a few to get you started! Hopefully it’s helpful!

Christine