That time of the year is here, Chicago. As flowers begin to bloom and the city awakes from its winter hibernation it’s time to shake off those winter icicles, expel that seasonal depression, and instead be imbued by spring cheer.
Chicago is gearing up for bloom, growth, and warmer days ahead with a plethora of events, activities, and experiences of all kinds waiting for us whether we’re treated to sunshine or spring showers.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chicago this spring.
1. Revel in the return of waterfront locations
During the merciless Midwestern winter, some of the best areas in the city go into hibernation, depleted of their usual vigor. Waterfront areas, in particular, are a stark contrast to the thriving meccas that they offer for the rest of the year.
It’s in April that these areas once again begin returning to life. Bohemian hangouts, ritzy restaurants, and other waterside watering holes along the riverwalk and the lakefront offer plenty of places to relax by the water and one of the very best things to do in Chicago in spring.
Grab some drinks, soak up the views of Chicago, and welcome back the warmer weather like you’re kicking back on the Italian Rivera.
View our favorite waterfront spots.
2. Take to the water
Another way of enjoying the riverwalk and lakefront in Chicago is from the water itself. Having shut down for the winter season, kayaks and boats return to the Chicago River in late April or early May, depending on the weather.
There are few experiences as rewarding as venturing through the heart of the city surrounded by Chicago’s famous highrise architecture flanked by the hustle and bustle of the riverwalk in spring.
Kayaks and kayaking tours are all available from various kayaking operators such as Urban Kayaks at both Monroe Harbor and Chicago Riverwalk locations while Chicago Electric Boat Company provides another unique, environmentally friendly way to experience Chicago in spring thanks to its trusted fleet of easy-to-operate 100% electric vessels.
Read more about kayaking the Chicago River or renting an electric boat.
3. Watch the magical new ART on THE MART projections
Another thing that comes back to life in Chicago in spring is the cherished ART on THE MART projections that light up the 2.5-acre river façade of the Merchandise Mart and hold the title of the largest permanent digital art projection in the world.
Free to view, 34 digital projectors once again breathe life into the 25-story-tall face of the Merchandise Mart offering up spellbinding spectacles nightly. If you’re feeling adventurous one of the best things to do in Chicago in spring is kayak past the projections and view them from the Chicago River.
Read more about the ART On THE MART spring schedule.
4. Enjoy a spring Candlelight Concert
While Chicago is renowned for its stellar lineup of annual music festivals, few live music experiences can compete with the unique intimacy and tranquility of a Candlelight concert in Chicago.
Surrounded by countless faux flowers and flickering candles, you’ll be swept away by the mesmerizing melodies in some of Chicago’s best outdoor and indoor venues.
A range of concerts are happening this spring from jazz and soul concerts to tribute performances.
Check out all Candlelight concerts happening in Chicago this spring.
5. Catch the cherry blossoms in bloom
As spring returns to Chicago, flowers in all their glory begin blossoming across the city. One of the most impressive spectacles is provided by the cherry blossom trees which usually begin blooming in April.
These unique flowers offer an ephemeral yet euphoric experience only appearing in a few spots around Chicago for a limited amount of time.
One of the best places to see them is in Chicago’s Jackson Park around the Museum of Science and Industry.
Read our guide to seeing the cherry blossoms in Chicago.
6. Discover the Windy City’s small pockets of Eden
Talking of Jackson Park, there you’ll also find one of Chicago’s small pockets of Eden, the Garden of the Phoenix. A stone’s throw from Lake Michigan, the award-winning Japanese Garden offers one of the most unique landscapes in the city.
Having emerged from winter, once the weather allows one of the best things to do in Chicago in spring is embrace the new season by savoring the serenity of its lush gardens.
View our full list of the most beautiful gardens in Chicago.
7. Walk through tulip fields at Richardson Farm’s annual tulip festival
Granted, this isn’t necessarily Chicago but sometimes a little adventure outside of our urban jungle makes you appreciate it all the more, you know? If you’re really craving some floral fireworks, you can do a lot worse than head out to Richardson Farm in Spring Grove where their 4th annual tulip festival will offer a sea of over a million tulips and daffodils.
Every year new tulips as well as those planted in previous years push their way skyward and show off their breathtaking ethereal elegance once spring is in full swing.
With the new addition of 50,000 daffodils, up to 900,000 returning bulbs from the previous three years, and an extra 350,000 tulip bulbs from this year, the farm is expecting over a million beautiful blooms.
Read more about the Richardson Farm tulip festival.
8. Enjoy the return of patio season
Thew aren’t many places that can give Chicago a run for its money when it comes to its array of patios. Come rain or shine, the best patios in Chicago will be alive and kicking and you can bet your bottom dollar Chicagoans will be out on them clinking glasses.
From multi-tiered patios on the outskirts with views of the Chicago skyline to thriving patios in the city center, we’ve rounded up our favorite bars and restaurants all over the city to give you the ultimate patio list.
Read our list of the best patios in Chicago.9. Cycle the lakefront
Stretching 18 miles from the south of Chicago up to the north, the lakefront provides a plethora of stunning views not to mention harbors, museums, and beautiful beaches to be enjoyed.
With the city’s sublime skyline on one side and the blue waters of the lake on the other, one of the best things to do in Chicago in spring is to take in the fresh air along the lakefront on a warm spring day.
If you’re feeling up to it, cycling makes for a quick and rewarding way to explore the lakefront. Bikes can be easily rented for full days from various providers or Chicago’s bike-share program offers thousands of Divvy bikes.
Another great spring cycling experience in Chicago is the Bikes, Bites, and Brews — a bike tour tasting signature Chicago dishes organized by America’s longest-running city bicycle tour company
Grab tickets to a Chicago bike tour.
10. Stroll a farmer’s market
In spring Chicago’s weekly farmer’s markets and other markets of all kinds return offering open-air stalls filled to the brim with fresh produce, artisanal goods, and vendors of all kinds.
Whether you’re either hunting for the finest ingredients or enjoying a wholesome day out with friends, Chicago’s many markets provide a perfect springtime activity in Chicago.