There’s no reason to be bored at home in Chicago during the pandemic! There are plenty of safe options for good food and entertainment, from world-famous hot dogs to thrilling escape rooms. Here’s seven great things you can do this weekend in Chicago:
Get Back to Nature
If you cannot resist the call of nature, try the 2,500 acre Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien, with 11 miles of hiking, biking, and horse trails. If getting out on the water is your thing, you can bring your own boat. And there’s plenty of fishing in all the forest preserve lakes and along the branches or the rivers.
Thrilling Outdoor Adventure
If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a full adventure park on 300 acres, with ziplines, ropes courses, climbing, biking, hiking, fishing, and more. You could spend the whole day there exploring the entire park and taking part in all the exhilarating activities they have to offer (or the soothing ones, like Yoga classes).
Hospital Food Can Be Amazing
If you’re tired of eating at home, why not check out Chicago’s newest food hall? Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall is now open, offering varied cuisine from 12 different restaurants, with an outdoor patio, bar, and lounge within the Old Cook County Hospital building.
Escape the Room
Ready for the fastest 60 minutes of your life? Escape the Room Chicago‘s location in Oak Brook has eight different escape rooms to challenge you, from a thrilling dinosaur escape to a spy adventure. All games are private and sanitized between each game, so it’s the safe entertainment option anywhere.
Take a Lakefront Stroll
Get out and get some exercise! The 18 mile Chicago Lakefront Trail is open for walking, jogging, and biking along the gorgeous shoreline of Lake Michigan, so you have no excuse for staying at home.
A Walk Among the Flowers
The Chicago Botanic Garden is open and offering special events and classes. Visitors must pre-register online for entry. And most events are still available, including the Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns (with literally over 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins).
Indulge in Famous Chicago Food
Fear not, gastrophiles, for the famous Chicago-style hot dog and italian beef sandwich are both available during the pandemic. If you have a hankering for the iconic Italian Beef sandwich, Al’s Beef is still open for delivery. The Superdawg drive-in is open and as good as it ever was. And the infamous Wiener’s Circle is ready to serve up its signature brand of vicious abuse with a side of char-grilled hot dogs.
