CHICAGO SOUTHLAND SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Those carefree summer days are slipping away. The 4th of July is behind us and school will soon be back in session. But there’s still a lot of summer left before the leaves begin to fall from the trees and we dive into the pumpkin spice vibes. Take advantage of the weeks ahead to soak up as much fun in the sun as you can. Not sure where to begin? Use our summer bucket list below to make the most of those fleeting summer days.

Explore Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens

Take in the natural beauty of this outdoor gem. Plan an extended walk. Enjoy a picnic on the lush grounds. Experience the beauty of the waterfall. Take in the majestic buzz n' bloom prairie. Observe wildlife in the water, in the trees and on the flowers. Rent a canoe and see the landscape from a different vantage point.

Visit Plum Creek Nature Center

Spend a leisurely day in the Great Outdoors. Here you'll find much to explore within the outdoor trails, the hands-on exhibits and the play elements. There is a full calendar of special events - everything from organized hikes to hummingbird hangouts to beekeeping introductions. It's a place of wonder no matter what age you are.

Ride at Big Marsh Bike Park

If you have not yet made your way out to Big Marsh Bike Park, take this as a sign. This modern eco-friendly park and off-road cycling course is a space for the adventurous to spread their wings. Even if you're not up for a spin on the track, it's quite fun as a spectator - especially on a race day.

Take in a Ball Game at Ozinga Field

If you are looking for affordable family fun, look no further than Ozinga Field where you can enjoy a thrilling baseball game of the Windy City ThunderBolts without breaking the bank. With fun promotions and special deals on select days, you can stretch your dollar even further. If you can fit it all into this summer, it's great fun to also visit Chicago's major league teams, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox so you can have three different baseball experiences.

Hang Out with the Animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

What's more fun in the summer than making your way through the zoo to view and interact with scores of different species? Brookfield Zoo Chicago's blend of indoor and outdoor exhibits make for a fun summer experience where you can duck into a building to cool off or keep dry if we get some showers. The 235-acre park has more than 5,000 animals that call it home. And if you are looking for an animal encounter in a smaller venue, visit The Children's Farm at The Center where you can get up close to a variety of farm animals.

6 more summer fun ideas:

A round of golf on one of our scenic golf courses

A romp through a local splash pad

A bike ride on one of our many miles of paved trails

An indulgent ice cream treat on an outdoor patio

A free summer concert hosted by one of our Chicago Southland communities

An outing to explore the region's outdoor art

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