How sweet it is! There’s nothing like (finally) sinking into summer. But as we all know too well, summer in Chicago is short and sweet. This year, look for ways to soak up each and every sunny day.
From food and sports to date nights and paintball, there are a variety of ways for families to make their summer sweet. Here are our nine picks for some sweet Chicago fun.
Soak in some sweet views of the city! Dine in front offantastic panoramic views at SIXTEEN, a Forbes Five Star
Restaurant on the 16th floor of Trump International Hotel. Open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago.
Sweet 16
Nothing is sweeter than a day spent in nature. Do a little peapicking this summer and show the kids that peas don’t grow ingrocery stores. Check out Susie’s Garden Patch in Garden
Prairie on U.S. 20 where you can pick your own peas, lettuce,
tomatoes and strawberries. (815) 597-3011.
Sweet pea
On game days, young White Sox fans can find the sweet spot witha little help from their friends from the Chicago White Sox TrainingAcademy. Above the left field concourse, you’ll find batting
swing boxes where you can pick up a few batting techniques along
with other baseball pointers.
Find the sweet spot
Fore! Nothing screams summer like golf. The Chicago Park District offers six courses, threedriving ranges and two miniature golf courses. I love Diversey
Driving Range, 141 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago. Hit a bucket of
balls or treat the family to a round of mini-golf. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
(312) 742-7929.
Sweet tee
Go ahead and belly up to Amy’s Candy Bar, a sweet little candy boutique
in Lincoln Square. You’ll find local artisan candy, Amy’s signature
sea salt caramels, even nostalgic candies that will make mom and
dad feel like kids in the candy store again-Bottle Caps, Razzles,
Chuckles, Charleston Chews. 4704 N. Damen, Chicago.
Sweet tooth
Don’t forget to take a little time to soak up summer by doingnothing at all. Just bask in time together. Our favorite familyspot? Lakefront Park in Glencoe at Park Avenue and Lake Michigan, aspot the fictional Ferris Bueller loved on his day off. I thinkit’s the most glorious spot on the North Shore. There is even afamily swing for sweet togetherness. We always pack a football andpicnic blanket.
Sweet nothings
The sweet thrill of victory! Go to war with yourfamily-paintball war, that is. Or challenge the family next door!Let loose at PaintballExplosion in East Dundee, where you’ll find nine paintball war
fields. You can even take the fight indoors on rainy summer
days!
Revenge is sweet!
As seen on Cupcake Wars, food truck Sweet Ride is a mobile diningadventure that brings sweet treats to you! Known for its
cupcakes and whoopie pies, Sweet Ride can be booked for block
parties, festivals, even weddings. Or look for Sweet Ride in your
neighborhood Tuesdays-Saturdays (just like the ice cream truck!).
Check the website for its schedule. (312) 798-YUMM (9866).
Catch a sweet ride
If you are looking to sneak in a quick date night, check outQuickies on the second Tuesday every other month, at Innertown
Pub for story readings under four minutes. This is not for the
longwinded: audience members have four minutes to read a story, not
an excerpt, not a summary, but a full-fledged story. Can you do it?
Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas, Chicago.
Short and sweet
