Entertainment

Activities To Try During Spring Break in Chicago

Skylen Lopez, Staff Reporter • February 12, 2025

If you’re looking to have fun during your time off of school for spring break, coming up on May 24th-28th, here are some ideas that are close by!

Paddle a kayak:

Chicago is home to iconic waterfalls, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan. The Chicago River follows through the heart of the city, giving beautiful sights of the city and all it has to offer. Lake Michigan follows alongside the city, featuring more than 20 miles of sandy shoreline. One of the most popular ways to explore both is via kayak! Urban Kayaks tours and rentals allow rentals with no experience needed, allowing you to explore the lake or river at your own pace. Guided tours from Urban Kayaks allow the perfect opportunity for getting some exercise, learning fascinating history about the city, and taking in some breathtaking views. Choose from their historic Chicago tour, sunset tour, a tour for first time kayakers, and much more!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

In early March, the city goes over-the-top for their St.Patrick’s Day celebrations, including their festive downtown parade, family-friendly neighborhood celebrations, special holiday cruises, and much more. One of the most unique and popular holiday traditions is dyeing the Chicago River a vibrant emerald green, attracting thousands of people each year to watch. The best recommended place to watch the amazing event is The Michigan Avenue bridge, allowing the audience to be on top of the river and have a clear view of the dyeing process. Typically held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, the dyeing officially begins at 10 a.m., but, for a better view, it’s best to go early. Enjoy one of Chicago’s most famous events!

View artwork:

artwork displayed on the historic Chicago building

Chicago’s downtown loop features the beautiful sight of the largest digital art projection in the world, Art on the MART. It includes colorful videos set to music, and it occurs each night, starting at about 8:30 on the riverfront facade of the historic Chicago building. As spring begins, a new season of artwork begins as well, featuring collaborations with the city’s many artists and cultural institutions. Also in the spring, the EXPO Chicago Contemporary Art Fair is a leading international event that brings top galleries from around the world to Navy Pier, beginning April 24th and ends the 27th (date changes throughout the years). This includes an exciting line-up of exhibitors, programs, installations, speakers, and more! This event also includes an expansive schedule of diverse cultural programming and contemporary art installations on-site and around the city.

Walk or bike the Lakefront Trail:

Part of Lakefront Trail and its beautiful view

The Lakefront Trail in Chicago is an 18 mile long paved path, perfect for exercise, that hugs the edge of Lake Michigan. The trail runs by several neighborhoods, dozens of popular parks, museums, waterfront restaurants, and more! It’s a perfect trail of scenic lakefront dotted with grassy parks and stunning skyline views. An amazing way to explore this 18 mile long path could be a nice bike ride with friends or family. If you don’t own a bike, Bike and Roll Chicago is a perfect source to rent a bike, or if you would like to take a tour, Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago offers tours on wheels or even by foot!

Explore the zoo:

Spring is one of the best times to visit Chicago’s zoos. The mild weather brings the animals out to play and gives you the best opportunity to see all the different kinds of animals. Close to the city’s scenic lakefront, you’ll find the historic Lincoln Park Zoo. This free zoo is open every day of the year and is one of the oldest zoos in the country. It is home to many creatures from around the world. This zoo is perfect for families with small children and is a great opportunity to meet all different kinds of animals during your spring break!

Conclusion:

Try something new this year. Step outside of your comfort zone. Even if it’s not a fancy vacation away from home, these activities will definitely ensure that you have an eventful and exciting spring break. Use this guide to go on an adventure or explore the city with family and friends, creating unforgettable memories!

Works Cited:

O’Connor, K. (2025, February 3). Things to do in Chicago in the spring. Choose Chicago. https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/bucket-list/things-to-do-in-chicago-in-the-spring/#
Homepage. ART on THE MART. (n.d.). https://artonthemart.com/
Expo chicago. Home. (n.d.). https://www.expochicago.com/

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About the Contributor

Skylen Lopez, Staff Reporter

Hello! My name is Skylen Lopez. I’m currently a sophomore at EPHS. At school, I am a part of the EPHS varsity dance team, and I participate in theater and choir as well. In the future, I plan on pursuing journalism, which is why I’m excited to be writing for The Tiger this year! I also plan to pursue my music interest as part of my future goals in life.