Brought to you by the Chicago Office of Tourism Department of Cultural Affairs

lakefrontQuickguide

Beach season:

Daily, Friday, May 23–Monday, September 1 6 am–11 pm; Locations vary; 312.742.PLAY (7529)
freekid friendly

The following beaches offer ADA-approved accessible beach walks leading to the water:

  • Montrose Beach (4400 N.)
  • Foster Avenue Beach (5200 N.)
  • 63rd Street Beach (6400 S.)
    wheelchair friendly

colorful chairs on the beach

The Field Museum:

Daily 9 am–5 pm (August 12, 4 pm); last admission 1 hour before closing; 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312.922.9410
www.fieldmuseum.org
adults $14–22; seniors 65+/ students w/ID $11–$19; children 4–11 $9–$12
kid friendlywheelchair friendly

Adler Planetarium:

Daily, Monday, May 26–Monday, September 1, 9:30 am–6 pm (1st Fridays [each month] 10 pm); 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312.922.STAR (7827)
www.adlerplanetarium.org
adults $10–$23; seniors 65+ $8–$21; children 4–17 $6–$19
kid friendlywheelchair friendly

saxophone

Jazzin’ at the Shedd:

Thursdays, June 19– August 28 (except August 14), 6–10 pm; 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312.692.3373
www.sheddaquarium.org
adults $10; seniors/ children 3–11 $8 (+$6 for Lizards and the Komodo King & Oceanarium; +$4 for Shedd’s 4-D FX Theater)
kid friendlywheelchair friendly

Theater on the Lake:

Days and times vary, Wednesday, June 11– Sunday, August 3; 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive; 312.742.7994
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
$17.50 per person
wheelchair friendly

Annual Venetian Night:

Saturday, July 26, 7:45– 9:45 pm; Lakefront, between Monroe Street
and Roosevelt Road; 312.744.3515
venetiannightchicago.usfreekid friendly

Sport Fishing Trips with Captain Al Skalecke:

7 am–Noon or 1–6 pm
Captain Al Skalecke’s Charter Boat Fleet; Burnham Harbor; 1559 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312.565.0104
(reservations required); about $150 per person based on group size

Introduction to Sailing:

Through October, Tuesdays 5:30– 8:30 pm; Chicago Sailing B-Dock on the North end of Belmont Harbor; 3600 N. Recreation Drive; 773.871.SAIL (7245); $95 per person

cruise ship on lake michigan

Chicago Architecture
Foundation’s Architecture River Cruise:

Through Sunday, November 23; Times vary, southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive; 312.922.3432
www.architecture.org
(advance purchase recommended in-person: CAF ArchiCenter Shop,
Chicago’s First Lady Dock ticket window, Hot Tix, Ticketmaster) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays $30;
Mondays–Fridays $28
kid friendly

The Combined Lake and River Tour:

Daily, April– November, Times vary

Chicago at Sunset:

Daily, Saturday, May 24– Monday, September 1; Times vary

Wendella Boats; Northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive near; 400 N. Michigan Avenue; 312.337.1446
www.wendellaboats.com
$12–$25 per person
kid friendly

Urban Adventure Package:

Daily, through Wednesday, October
1, Times vary; Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline; Riverside
Gardens at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive (Southeast corner);
312.332.1353
www.mercuryskyline
cruiseline.com
adults $30; children 3+ $13; children under 3 FREE

Urban Canoe Trips:

Through Sunday, October 12; Friends of the Chicago River; 312.939.0490
www.chicagoriver.org
$25–$40 per person
Downtown Canyons/Loop
Trip Departs from 1501 N. Magnolia Avenue; North Branch Trip departs
from West River Park; 5100 N. Francisco Avenue

Montrose Point Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary (“The
Magic Hedge”):

Montrose Avenue (4400 N.) at Lake Michigan; 312.742.PLAY (7529)
freekid friendlywheelchair friendly

McCormick Place Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary:

South of Soldier Field (Douglas Grand Boulevard) Approach via the Lakefront Trail on
foot or park at 31st Street and walk north about .8 miles on the Lakefront Trail; 312.742.PLAY (7529)
freekid friendlywheelchair friendly

butterfly on childs hand

Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary:

3550 N. Lake Shore Drive
From the south, take Lake Shore Drive and exit at Recreation Drive. From the north, take Lake Shore
Drive to Irving Park, turn left onto Irving Park and right onto Recreation
Drive. Take Recreation Drive to W. Addison Drive. The Bird Sanctuary is just
south of the Marovitz Golf
Course.
freekid friendly

Go Lakefront

Paul Douglas Nature
Sanctuary (Wooded Island):

6401 S. Stony Island Avenue; Park in the lot off of Hayes Drive and approach on foot; or post–Museum of Science & Industry walk behind the
Museum and head south; 312.742.PLAY (7529)
freekid friendlywheelchair friendly

The Amazing Lakefront Tour:

Daily, April–August; Millennium Park; 10 am, Navy Pier 10:30 am; Bike Chicago: Millennium Park, 239 E. Randolph Street and Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue; 888.BIKEWAY
(888.245.3929); reservations recommended; adults $30; seniors/ military/students $25; kids under 12 $15 (bikes included)
kid friendly

chicago skyline at night

Sites @ Nite:

Wednesdays and Saturdays, June 4–July 30; Navy Pier 7 pm; Milennium Park 7:30 pm; Bike Chicago: Millennium Park, 239 E. Randolph Street and Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue; 888.BIKEWAY (888.245.3929; reservations recommended); adults $30; seniors $25; students/military $20; kids under 12 $15 (bikes and boat tour included)
kid friendly

McDonald’s Cycle Center:

Millennium Park; 239 E. Randolph Street; 888.BIKEWAY (888.245.3929); Individual memberships: monthly $20; annually $149 (registration fee $20)

millennium park bike station