


The summer months are also prime time for river cruises and kayaking. The Lakefront Trail runs for 18 miles, perfect for a walking or cycling while taking in the scenery. Local favorites include Oak Street Beach, Montrose Beach, and Rainbow Beach. The water is here cool and blue, making this a prime summer hangout spot from late May through early September.
CHICAGO WEATHER IN OCTOBER FREE
From late June through early September, visit for Chicago SummerDance this free event has dance lessons followed by freestyle dancing every Friday through Sunday in the Spirit of Music Garden. Check it out in April for Chicago Dance Month, with over 50 performances, events, and classes at discounted rates. The summer weeks in between have music festivals for jazz, blues, Latin, and more.
CHICAGO WEATHER IN OCTOBER PLUS
Music festivals begin in June with Do Division (a family-friendly event with a wide range of music, plus a fashion show, family activities, and food) and ending in September with Riot Fest (punk, indie rock, and hip hop). Anytime is good for catching a show, but the best time to visit is during Theater Week in February, with over 100 productions taking place over ten days. Best Time to Visit Chicago for The Performing Arts:Ĭhicago has one of the hottest theater scenes in the nation.Many other museums, including the Oriental Institute, National Museum of Mexican Art, the Money Museum, and the Lincoln Park Zoo are free every day, all year long.Thursdays evenings are free at Chicago Children’s Museum, from 5-8pm.Wednesdays are free at Glessner House and Clarke House, with free guided tours Wed, Thu, and Fri.Tuesdays are free at Loyola University Museum of Art, the International Museum of Surgical Science, and DuSable Museum.Sundays are free at the McCormick Bridgehouse, and Chicago Children’s Museum is free on first Sundays for visitors 15 and under.Each museum chooses different days to honor free admission, and for those living outside Illinois, free admission is also available on certain days. Best Time to Visit Chicago for Art and Museums:Ĭhicago’s world-class museums are required to offer free entry to Illinois residents for 52 days of the year.The weather is more comfortable, rooms are just a tad less pricey, and there are still plenty of family events going on. If you can work around the kids’ school schedule, shoot for April. Though you won’t get the same bargains as in winter, it’s the most affordable of the summer months and has better weather than July (a little cooler and drier).

Summer can also be stiflingly hot, overcrowded, and expensive for family travel! If visiting in summer, plan for August. The days are long, the water is perfect for swimming, and there are plenty of family-friendly happenings. Summer, June through September, is the most popular time for family vacations to Chicago.

Late November and early December also see dips in pricing for hotels. Hotel room occupancy is at its lowest during these months, hovering around 50%, so even luxury hotels offer deep discounts.
CHICAGO WEATHER IN OCTOBER FULL
Best Time to Visit Chicago for Good Weather:Ĭhicago experiences the full range of weather, with blustery winters and sweltering summers.Rates on hotels and flights won’t be the cheapest during this time, but they’ll be a bit more affordable than during the summer rush. The best time of the year to visit Chicago is in June or September, when you’ll find fewer crowds than in summer and better weather than in winter.
