Secret Chicago wants to help you make the most of your free time and keep you informed! We’ll be putting out “Don’t miss” and “ICYMI” plans and news for you each week, so you’ll always catch an incredible event or story. Here are some of them that you may have missed over the last week.
1. Chicago’s famed Maxwell Street Market has returned for its 111th year
Chicago’s iconic Maxwell Street Market returned Sunday, May 28 for its annual summer run. Sticking around until October, the historic free market is Chicago’s longest-running open-air market having first debuted back in 1912.
Read all about the returning Maxwell Street Market here.
2. Navy Pier’s weekly summer firework shows have returned
The most symbolic of summer’s upcoming events, the start of Navy Pier’s fireworks, have officially kicked off marking the unofficial beginning of summer!
Onlookers can find a spot anywhere on the pier to take in the dazzling displays every Saturday at 10 pm and every Wednesday at 9 pm through Labor Day weekend.
Read all about the Navy Pier firework shows here.
3. Play soccer in the sky at Chicago’s first-ever rooftop soccer pitch
Much to the excitement of soccer fans all around the city, an exciting new soccer venue opened in Chicago last year taking the city’s soccer scene to new heights.
Located atop the NEWCITY parking structure in Lincoln Park, the Skyline Pitch opened as “Chicago’s 1st rooftop soccer venue for guests of all ages to train, play, and celebrate the game of futsal and soccer with an unmatched view of the beautiful Chicago skyline.”
First thought to be a temporary fixture, the skyline pitch and its variety of leagues have returned for a spring and summer season now running through to October.
4. Two Chicago bars have been named in the top 50 best bars in North America
With a bar and restaurant scene of such high quality, it might not come as much of a surprise that 2 Chicago establishments have just been named in the top 50 best bars on the continent.
Following a top 10 ranking in last year’s inaugural North America’s 50 Best Bars of 2022 and coming in at number 25 in a list of the 100 best bars in the world, the first of these is none other than the returning Bar Kumiko in West Loop.
This year, however, Kumiko has company for the first time in the shape of the eight-seat microbar Milk Room located inside the Chicago Athletic Association.
Read more about the winners here.
5. An Illinois park has been named one of the top places to camp in the Midwest
Starved Rock State Park is making waves with summer-ready road-trippers. Whether you choose to enjoy a staycation at a cozy cabin or test your limits on 13 miles of trails, there’s something for everyone at what’s now been dubbed one of the top scenic camping locations in all of the Midwest!
6. The Morton Arboretum has unveiled 5 new tree sculptures kicking off an exciting new exhibition
A new exhibition is now open at the Morton Arboretum featuring a collection of brand-new towering arbor-inspired sculptures.
Titled “Of the Earth“, the exhibition features five exclusive new works from Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska and replaces those on display for Human + Nature.
Read all about Morton Arboretum’s new exhibit here.
7. A cute fox family has found a home in Millennium Park
Chicago is turning into an epic wildlife frontier right before our eyes as a new family of foxes has found their home in the popular Millennium Park! The family, which includes 2 adults and 6 babies, stopped by a couple of weeks ago and decided to move in!
Read all about the viral fox family making a home in Millennium Park here.
8. Eiffel Waffles brings a viral ‘bubble waffle’ dessert shop to Wicker Park
At Eiffel Waffles vibrant ice cream sits atop the next generation of waffle cones. Gone are the days of your standard cone. Nowadays, it’s bigger and better than ever before in a bubble design that’s made from actual batter. With a wide variety of delicious ice cream options including over two dozen flavors to sort through, the ever-popular sweet spot allows you to customize your dessert made to your liking.
Read all about Wicker Park’s new Eiffel Waffle shop here.
9. Hot Doug’s is coming out of retirement for a one-time party at Honey Butter Fried Chicken this summer
An Avondale staple is turning 10 this year, so owners Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp plan to celebrate with an official birthday party! The event, dubbed Roscoe Rewind, is sure to be the event of the season with former retired chef Doug Sohn coming out of retirement to celebrate. The menu is sure to be epic, with fan favorites coming back specifically for the party!
Read all about Roscoe Rewind and Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s 10th anniversary here.
10. 20 fantastic free things to do in Chicago this spring and summer
From Art on theMART to weekend farmer’s markets, if you’re in the Windy City and you’re on a bit of a budget, there are a bunch of awesome things to do and see, completely free of charge!
From free admission to world-class museums to free annual events, we’ve put together an itinerary of free things to do in Chicago without having to splash the cash.