# Travel >> Destinations >> United States

Local Weekend Activities for People in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois, is one city where you won't run out of things to do. Despite winter temperatures that dip below zero and winds that have earned it the "windy city" nickname, you can find activities year round. Locals and visitors can enjoy Navy Pier, museums, taking tours, or just having a fun workout on the weekend. Just keep in mind that things may be a bit more crowded than it is during the week.

Go To A Museum
- The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the city's most known museums and it's deserving of that title. It has been around since 1979 and contains exhibits from the ancient to the modern. Kids of all ages enjoy The Field Museum, where you can experience film festivals, exhibitions and hands-on activities. At the Adler Planetarium, explore space from the inside in a constantly changing array of shows and hands-on programs.
Visit Navy Pier
- If you take a glimpse of Navy Pier, your first impression is that it's an amusement park, but it's so much more. Navy Pier is open year round; activities, restaurants and shops are inside and out. When the weather is nice, take a boat ride or rent a Segway from here. Inside are multiple stages for everything from Shakespeare to Cirque de Soleil. An IMAX Theater lets you experience the best special effects in the movies.
Take A Tour
- Taking a tour on a weekend in Chicago offers you many possible activities. A variety of free audio tours let you tour the city at your own pace. Check the city's tourism site for information on how to get started with options that let you learn about everything from Chicago Blues to Humboldt Park. Weekend guided tour options include learning about Chicago's architecture, indulging in local food and chocolate or cruising the city by water taxi.
Get A Workout
- If you want to burn some calories in Chicago on the weekend, you won't find a shortage of activities. The city -- which has 552 public parks -- is full of recreational options. All of Chicago is a bike-friendly city complete with 50 miles of bicycle paths. The Lakefront and Millennium Park are great places for running. Thirty-three beaches around Lake Michigan are available for for swimming, kayaking or canoeing.
Considerations
- Each weekend you will find a different selection of things happening in Chicago. If you live locally or are planning a visit, subscribe to sites like The Local Tourist (LocalTourist.com), which has a newsletter that lists weekend happenings. If you are in town for the weekend and staying at a hotel, check with the concierge about special events in the area.