This week's subject prompt: "5 Favorite Summertime Activities."
It was really difficult to pick just five! Therefore, I am going to cheat a little bit and go with five giant categories, instead.
1. Outdoor sporting events
Baseball is an obvious choice. I definitely want to see both the Cubs and White Sox in Chicago. I have also been wanting to get to PNC Park in Pittsburgh to see the Pirates (try saying that five times fast, LOL).
Additionally, I'm going to be checking out something new this summer: UEFA Soccer! Manchester United and Paris St. Germain will be playing an exhibition game at Soldier Field in July, and Adam and I will be attending with a former coworker.
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| This Paris St. Germain player looks as pumped as I feel! Source |
2. Exercise outdoors
This one is a no-brainer. When it comes to outdoor workouts, running is the only thing I'll do outside on nearly a year-round basis (with a growing timeframe during which I will move it indoors). During the summertime, I'm looking forward to outdoor biking and swimming, plus checking out offerings for outdoor yoga, pilates, tai chi, and Zumba.
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| How amazing does this look? Source |
I have always wanted to go to North Avenue Beach to play some beach volleyball. Admittedly, though, I'm a little intimidated by all the hard-core volleyball players that frequent the nets there. I would clearly stick out as an imposter!
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| Maybe someday. Source |
3. Al fresco dining
I plan on checking out some new farmer's markets, consuming lots of wonderful in-season fruits and vegetables, putting the grill to good use, and eating outside as much as possible. I've got this list of outdoor dining venues in Chicago and I hope to work my way through each location, one-by-one.
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| This is the outdoor patio at Piccolo Sogno, which is just up the street from where I live! Source |
4. Festivals for months
I have been referencing this site for summertime festival options. Tops on my list are: Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Taste of Chicago, Randolph Street Market, the Air & Water Show, Festa Italiana, Taste of Greektown, Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, the Ravinia Festival, the Millennium Park Music Festival, and the Summerdance Festival.
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| First on the agenda is the Chicago Blues Festival, which takes place next weekend! |
I think that in the summertime, everyone should just default to carrying a picnic blanket or similar around with them at all times. You never know when it might come in handy!
This can mean a weekend jaunt up to Wisconsin or Michigan, or maybe something a little farther ashore domestically or internationally. I'm not picky. =)
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| The gorgeous, pristine beaches in Grand Haven, Michigan |
Speaking of which - I'm heading to South Bend tonight to run the Sunburst Half Marathon tomorrow morning. Afterwards, Adam and I plan to hang out in southwest Michigan since we'll be in the near vicinity. It's going to be a really great weekend!
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Your turn! What is on your summertime favorites list?
Excellent list! I'm looking forward to the yoga/Zumba etx in millennium park too! I went once last year and it was so nice. I'll probably try to go next week, weather permitting.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to go to yoga in Millennium Park on June 13, too! If you do go, let's meet up!!! YAY!
DeleteI am ALWAYS up for some al fresco dining :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'm necessarily looking forward to it, but this summer I plan to figure out open water swimming. Yes, I'll be one of those people out there swimming at Ohio Street Beach....eventually. I hear the water is freaking cold right now.
Let's attack that list of outdoor dining patios together!!! There are so many new places opening up on Randolph and Madison that I literally can't keep up with it!
DeleteOooooh, you are going to be one of those hard-core folks swimming in the lake! ROCK ON!!! That tri has nothing on you. =) BTW - it looks like your tri is the same day as the PAWS Run For Their Lives this year, yes?
I have season tickets to FC Dallas but the summer is when I chicken out for some games and stay home with the air conditioning. Even when games start at 8pm, the heat can still be brutal.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I can't imagine how brutal the heat would be in Dallas for soccer players. Those guys must be in incredible shape to play in those conditions!
DeleteHave fun in South Bend and Michigan this weekend! I've loved going to SW Michigan over the years, especially since it's so close!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to Ravinia?? I'm going on July 12th to see CSO play Fantasia live, which sounds pretty cool (if you like classical music) - they'll be showing the movie too, I think. You and Adam should go too :)
I saw Man-U when they played the Fire at Soldier Field a few years back - my company sponsors them so we got a deal on tickets. This time around we only got the "opportunity" to buy them (and no discount, boo) so I had to pass. But it is cool to watch!
Thanks Anne! We are indeed so lucky that SW Michigan is such an easy trip for all of us here!
DeleteOh my gosh! Adam and I already have tickets for CSO Fantasia on July 12 at Ravinia! It's my birthday that day and that was our celebration plan!!! That is so awesome that you will be there, too - we must meet up!!!
That would have been awesome to see Man-U vs the Fire! I don't think I ever mentioned to you that one of my team members used to work for Hewitt. He said the exact same thing that you said about how they used to sponsor, but recently you just got the buying opportunity. Too funny! Gotta love sponsorship changes, right?
OOOOOH!!!!! That's awesome! I thought you'd be interested because it's Disney :) We definitely need to meet up! T and I are going with some of my friends. Oddly enough, it's actually a late birthday celebration for me and 3 friends (we're all within 2 weeks of each other) so there will be lots of celebrating that night :)
DeleteWe also got free jerseys right after Aon bought us, but I think mine got donated (oops). The opportunity to buy made me laugh, since everyone else got that too.
Yay for summer birthdays! That will be one GINORMOUS night of celebration, indeed. I am so excited!!! Already praying and crossing my fingers for good weather that night. (Since it's Disney, I was wondering if any concert-goers are going to show up wearing Mickey Mouse ears? =D )
DeleteFree jerseys! What an awesome perk!
I love that we can contemplate warm weather fun finally! Getting to the pool (to lounge) as much as possible, quality time in my kayak and making it to Ravinia are all on mine.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Marcia - SO cool that you have a kayak!!! That is the best gift you could have ever received!!! I can't wait to hear about your kayaking adventures!
DeleteThanks for the good luck wishes, Amanda! I agree, it would be great if you lived in the city and could check out some of these outdoor offerings together! I think there are some evening options, too, if you ever feel like hanging out downtown after work sometime. =)
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to go to ALL OF THE FESTIVALS this summer. Not so much the street fests--I'm not crazy about street fests--but music ones for sure. I'm definitely going to a day of Lolla, probably going to a day of Pitchfork, and possibly going to a day of Spring Awakening (the day after Ragnar. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL I am going to die. Hahaha. But really...). Oh, and I'll probably hit up one of the free concerts in Millennium Park as well. All of the music!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on street fests - I'm not into those very much, either. Not to mention that a lot of them have "required" donations (which I don't understand - but that's a topic for another day). Pitchfork and Spring Awakening both sound AMAZING and Lolla is a classic. WOW on going to Spring Awakening after Ragnar - you are one adventurous woman! Better get the caffeine ready. =) I need to take a look at the MP concert line-up, too - let me know if you see any standouts. BTW - let me know if you do decide to see CSO Fantasia at Ravinia this year. It would be great to meet up!!!
DeleteI'm due for a beach fix. Good luck on your half. I'm cheering for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good luck wishes and cheers, HoHo! I am cheering for you to get your beach fix, too!!! =D
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