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it's all nearby!!!

Given the current situation around the world, many events in Chicago have been canceled or postponed in an effort to promote safe social distancing.

 

However, many of Chicago's most beloved destinations are open and there are still so many amazing things to see and do in the city. Remember, Chicago requires a mask just about everywhere, so let's be sure to "Cover Our Mugs" when we are out and about the city.

 

Restaurants are open for limited indoor and al fresco dining, and of course you can carry out from just about anywhere. Chicago has always been a foodie town, we've just gotten more creative in how to enjoy it! Check out the list below of all the great things there are to safely enjoy this fall in Chicago!

 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Now through Oct 18, launch your rented Kayak from Urban Kayaks from the Riverwalk to enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the Chicago River. You'll be surrounded by some pretty awesome and instagram-worthy shots, so be sure to watch where you're going!

 

The famed Chicago Architecture Tour is ready to guide you on an epic journey of discovery . . . Truly! You'll see some beautiful sites, enjoy a cocktail, and a comfortable river breeze in the heart of Chicago. Other Riverboat cruises are available too, check out Shoreline, Wendella, Mercury, and a ton more!

 

You don't have to be in the country to enjoy the magnificence of Autumn leaves! Chicago has some of the best city parks in the World, and now is the time to witness them in all their splendor! Take a stroll through Millennium Park and The Bean, Grant Park, or Lincoln Park and do some urban leaf peeping. And if you're an animal lover, the residents at Lincoln Park Zoo are waiting to give you a warm welcome. Free-admission reservations are required, so book it before you go! . . . (btw, ZooLights is back this year, with distancing restrictions, but back none the less!

 

Looking for some Chicago nightlife action?

So yeah, after you've enjoyed a meal at one of your favorite haunts, or a cocktail or two at the latest drinking hole, relax and enjoy, the night is still young!

 

Many nightlife options are at your disposal, if limited in capacity. If you're in need of a good hearty laugh, check out Zanies in Old Town, where the funny never stops. Of course, reservations and masks are required.

 

Want to stay in tune with Chicago's Music Scene? Andy's Jazz Bar, Reggies, and Jazz Showcase are open, the notorious Green Mill is open inside, outside, and for live streaming. And the Baton Show Lounge even has new outdoor performances on their heated patio . . . And many of the best music houses in the city like Lincoln Hall, Green Mill, and more are offering streaming concerts - so just get cozy at ACME and enjoy!

Chicago Classics
Chicago Classics
Chicago Classics
Nothing beats the classics. Get a true taste of Chicago at world-famous sights like the Willis Tower, Navy Pier or Lincoln Park Zoo.
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ACME Insider, Illinois
ACME Insider
ACME Insider
Get the skinny on the city's best music venues, performances and hotspots, and experience Chi-Town like a Chicago insider.
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DO YOUR THING - DIFFERENT! Check out our curated list of cool attractions

  • If you love the great outdoors, get yourself to the 606. An elevated jogging/hiking/biking path that takes you through some of the 312's most interesting neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and others.
  • Bike your way through town on a Divvy. Those are the blue bikes you see pretty much everywhere . . . We suggest a ride up the Lakefront, coz it will net you some pretty awesome instagram shots!
  • If you've been dying to check out EATALY, you're in luck - it's a block away, and yeah, it's awesome. It's a bustling Italian marketplace that offers some of the freshest fare and authentic Italian foods around. Foodies won't want to pass it up.
  • In season, there are few things cooler than getting out on the cool waters of lake Michigan on your own (rented) jet ski, and worth e-v-e-r-y penny! Or one with the river in your very own kayak. Here you'll get some of the best views of the city, and get in a pretty decent workout too. Of course, both are seasonal.
  • Check out the Riverwalk (hint: it's on the river), and check out the peeps walking and cruising by. It's a great stop for a cocktail, or just to brown bag it.
  • What better way to hold on to a memory than with body ink? Deluxe Tattoo is one of the best tattoo shops in Chicago. We just recommend you visit sober - you know, no regrets and all. 
  • Everybody's heard about the Architectural Boat Tour, now go out and do it. It is def. one of the best "attractions" in Chicago.
 

CHICAGO'S MUSIC SCENE

If you dig music, you've come to the right city. In addition to the major arena's, Chicago boasts a ton of awesome, more intimate venues that often book the cutting edge talent on the cusp of stardom. You may also see them at one of Chicago's major music festival during the summer. Here is a short list of some of the best venues in the 312 to sit back and jam. -  These even made TimeOut Chicago's best list!