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The Official Start to Summer: Memorial Day Weekend in the Loop

Posted  5 months ago  in  Trending, long weekend, Things to Do, Memorial day

2 MIN READ – Memorial Day weekend is a time to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It also marks the start of summertime activities in the city! There are plenty of things to do in the Loop this Memorial Day weekend, and we’ve rounded up your best options.


MAGGIE DALEY PARK

Fun is back! Spend Memorial Day with family and friends at Maggie Daley Park.  Get back on the swings, and enjoy their 3-acre Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and Chocolate Factory-inspired Play Garden. City Mini Golf, the Rink Café, bungee, scooter, and rollerblade rentals are available, too. Enjoy their 19,000-square-foot climbing wall for auto belays, bouldering, top rope, and lead climbing. Pre-booking is required to climb this year. Book your climbing time or learn more about pricing and hours here.

MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION

Join the City of Chicago to commemorate our heros on Saturday, May 25 at the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade. Honor and remember those who have sacrificed for our country starting at 11 a.m. in Daley Plaza followed by the Parade on State Street.  Admission is free!

VISIT LAKE MICHIGAN
Chicago beaches officially reopen on May 24, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Cool off with a swim, play volleyball or frisbee, listen to music, have a barbeque with friends, or lay out in the sun and relax with your toes in the sand. Check out Ohio Street Beach just north of the Loop, or 12th Street Beach a little to the south. After some fun in the sun and sand, mosey along the Lakefront Trail to the Loop proper for some gorgeous views of the skyline and “Chicago’s Front Yard.”

GO FOR A BIKE RIDE

A bike ride around the Loop is quintessential Memorial Day weekend fun. Enjoy the weather and get a workout while you’re at it. If you don’t own a bike, rent a Divvy bike for easy access to the city. Find more tips for riding a bicycle in the city here. And if you're looking for a new way to get around the Loop, try a scooter which can also be found at Divvy stations!

SHOP THE SALES

New season, new wardrobe! Shop Memorial Day sales all along State Street so you can be your best summer self. Find shopping options in the Loop here

See the American flag at Macy's

While you're out shopping, check out Macy's on State Street to see their American flag displayed. Macy's displays the 5,000-square-foot, 900-pound flag in honor of Memorial Day. It will hang in the store atrium through Labor Day on September 2.

GO OUT TO EAT

Eat out at a fabulous Loop restaurant this Memorial Day weekend. More and more spots downtown are reopening for indoor and outdoor dining after a pretty dormant winter. Be reunited with an old favorite, or try something new. See which restaurants are open in the Loop here.

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