Visit Cubs, kayaks and foodies in Chicago
Chicago is known as the "Windy City." This Great Lakes city is perched on the side of Lake Michigan and has a lot to offer visitors. Check out these three attractions to see the infamous Cubs baseball team in action, paddle along the Chicago River and even get up close and personal with individual neighborhoods by tasting their best fare:
Wrigley Field
Drive your Chicago rental car to 1060 West Addison Street, where you're sure to hear a lot of cheering and smell the aroma of grass and hot dogs. At this location, you'll find Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team. Found on the North Side of Chicago, this field is beloved by Cubs fans. It was built in 1914 and has celebrated over 100 seasons in the same spot, 98 of which were played by the Cubs. Great names in baseball like Babe Ruth, Gabby Hartnett, Jim "Hippo" Vaughn, Pete Rose and Sammy Sosa have all played on this field. This facility offers seating for 41,160 people and is located in the aptly named Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago. Here, you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants for pre- and post-game food and drinks. Tours of the stadium are offered daily starting in April and throughout the season when the field isn't being used for a game. Adorn yourself in red, white and blue and head to this spot to enjoy beautiful Midwest weather and maybe even visit with the newly revamped cubbie bear mascot, Clark.
Kayak Chicago
If you enjoy learning about history and architecture but want to do so without walking, head to 1220 West LeMoyne, where you can hop in a kayak and tour the city by boat. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will lead your group down the Chicago River toward the canyon, where the south, north and lake ward branches meet. You'll spend time paddling among tall buildings that reflect the sunny sky and beautiful blue water, all while hearing about the entrepreneurs and business people who made the city what it is today. The architecture tour is about three hours long and covers 6 miles of paddling. Fear not, as people of any skill level can come along, including children and individuals who are not in great shape. If you'd rather try a self-guided tour, rent single or tandem kayaks to follow the path of the river on your own. Kayak Chicago also has locations on Lake Michigan that offer kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals as well as lakefront tours. Either way, you'll get a beautiful view of the city while gaining a bit of knowledge about Chicago history.
Chicago Food Planet Tours
Are you a foodie? Do you enjoy getting to know a place by seeing what the locals like to eat? You'll love a Chicago Food Planet Tour! Drive your Chicago rental car to 830 North Michigan Avenue to start your adventure. Guides will take you through predetermined neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Chinatown, Bucktown and Wicker Park, or Goldcoast and Old Town, all the while offering interesting tidbits about the history of the people and buildings you pass. You'll enjoy Chicago-style pizza, handmade ice cream and even locally brewed craft beers. Each guest will have a chance to eat 6 or more servings and samplings of food at stops throughout the tour, and receive a neighborhood map complete with coupons. The tours cover about 1.5 miles and take around three hours to complete. Tours often sell out, so it is recommended that visitors sign up ahead of time to reserve their spaces.