Spring has its own energy in Chicago, and you've just got to be there to experience it.
It's when the Cubs and Sox return to the plate, filling the air with cheers and the crack of bats. It's when the Chicago River turns a vibrant green, kicking off St. Patrick's Day festivities. It's when sidewalk cafes buzz with laughter and clinking glasses, and light catches the skyscrapers at dusk just so, painting the skyline in hues of gold. It's when tulips line Michigan Avenue and cherry blossoms frame your perfect selfie in Jackson Park. In some places, spring is just a season, but in Chicago, it’s a celebration.
Chicago's Best Outdoor Activities In Spring
Millennium Park & Lurie Garden
Spring at Millennium Park puts you at the center of Chicago's buzzing seasonal energy. Explore Lurie Garden's pathways, where you'll spot tulips, daffodils, and flowering trees, along with colorful prairie flowers pushing through the soil. Get snaps of The Bean reflecting the season's florals, catch impromptu musicians testing the acoustics near Pritzker Pavilion, feel the first splashes from Crown Fountain, and discover your own favorite quiet corner in this ever-changing downtown oasis. It's a breath of fresh air amid the urban landscape.
Chicago Architecture Tour
See Chicago's architectural genius from fresh angles by boat, bus, or foot, and feel inspired by tales of how the city's iconic skyline came to be. It's a story of constant renewal and growth, so what better time of year to hear it than spring?
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Bike the Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail shines any time of year, but spring may just be its finest hour. Get on a bike and enjoy 18-miles of stunning skyline views, parks, beaches, landmarks, and bright and breezy good times along the Lake Michigan shore.
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The Chicago River Walk
The city meets the water in spectacular fashion here. It buzzes with energy as the temperatures rise, its waterfront path filling with outdoor diners, kayakers, and even a performance or two. Enjoy a glass of wine while people-watching, pay your respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, or get to know the river’s history at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Dine Outdoors at a Rooftop or Patio
Chicago is known as one of the world’s great destinations for amazing dining, and while the food is a big part of that, the ambiance and surroundings sure add something special. As spring blooms, the warming weather means it’s time for admiring the skyline from a rooftop bar, unwinding in a snug patio, or watching the world go by by the water. These outdoor venues celebrate the vibrant spirit of the season.
Big Marsh Bike Park
Catch air on BMX jumps, navigate wooden features, or cruise flow trails at this ever-growing 300-acre cycling hub. Beginners can build skills on gentle tracks, and for experts, the tough mountain bike routes deliver a real urban adventure.
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Lincoln Park Conservatory
This Victorian glass house showcases blooming orchids and fresh growth in a warm, tropical environment. It’s a beautiful way to get in the springtime mood as the flowers outside are just beginning to blossom. Free admission with timed entry tickets.
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Canoeing on the River
Canoeing on the Chicago River is a peaceful and scenic way to experience the city in spring. Paddle through the heart of downtown, past stunning architecture, or explore quieter stretches surrounded by nature.
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St. Patrick's Day in Chicago
In any other city, a river turning bright green would be a problem. In Chicago, it's just how we kick off our St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Thanks to the Chicago Plumbers Union and a generous serving of eco-friendly dye, each year the Chicago River celebrates all things Irish with a distinctive emerald hue. Join all the crowds of delighted onlookers watching this annual tradition—we recommend staking out a spot on the Michigan Ave or Columbus Drive bridges—then follow them to the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Chicago Latino Film Festival
The best of Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese films are on offer in Chicago, with more than 100 entertaining, challenging, and inspiring titles to choose from—the hardest bit will be picking who you'll vote for in the Audience Choice Awards.
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C2E2 2025
Does the thought of comics, cosplay, gaming, and anime put a spring in your spring? Then this is the place to be, a celebration of all things popular culture, with artists and celebrity guests to meet, displays to admire, and merch to buy.
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Morton Arboretum's Spring Blooms
Morton Arboretum puts on a truly inspiring display of ever-changing spring color. Tulips, crabapple blossoms, daffodils, geraniums, peonies, and many more blooms beside, all amid 1,700 acres of tree-filled wonder.
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