Gorgeous health club!! My friend belongs here and I joined her for dinner at the restaurant/grill…read more The food was tasty and excellent service. I was given a 90 minute pass for dinner and they seem strict on the time. My friend also gave me a tour. It's an impressive space!! About 450,000 square feet, spanning across 2 full city blocks and 5 levels. They have everything you can think of: pools (4 pools!), saunas, restaurants, tennis, golf, basketball, boxing, group glasses, weights, machines, pickleball, spa, hair and nail salon, indoor running track, co-working space, and so much more. Beautiful artwork, pristine locker rooms and restrooms. Wow! High ceilings and so much space overall. Nothing felt crowded. Beautiful design and layout. I was in awe and very impressed.

(Kari's Rating 7.5/10)…read more TLDR -Up-to-Date equipment -Work from home spaces -Convenient Healthy Market Came with a friend to hang out on a Wednesday around 5:30pm to see what East Bank Club is all about. After seeing all the crazy amenities which were super cool with a ton of variety, I think the thing that surprised me the most is how up-to-date all of the equipment was and the variety of activities they had for people to enjoy. If you're looking for an all encompassing workout/work space, this is it! They have everything from full-size tennis courts, to a golf simulator-like set up,except you get to hit into an inflatable pillow! They also had plenty of Pickleball courts, and they offer so many different workout group classes.both a wet and dry, sauna, and tons of treadmills and free weights. I was also really impressed that they also had a physical training area. So think something that was my personal favorite and the best thing for Chicago Summers is a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge area. Not only did they have two outdoor pools (one for adults and one for kids) but they also have an indoor pool as well for winter as well as an indoor hot tub! They also had a common area workspace where people can come to take meetings and do their work from home gigs. You could practically move in here haha! As of right now, it is a $750 new membership fee as well as $295 a month, which is a pretty hefty chunk of change if you ask me considering most of the high rises around, have some kind of rooftop pool and workout area. It is cheaper if you join with a domestic partner or if you're between the ages of 16 and 29-see pic for current pricing. They also sometimes host social events which is super fun to meet everyone else in the club, but at the same time I think it is more of an investment in your future and your future health if you can afford it! I will not be joining at the moment, but hey-that could change anytime if I decide I should be on a health kick.

I had no idea that Millennium Park offered so much to the public! The week I visited, they were…read morehosting a house music festival in the park. We walked through security to enter, which was a pretty easy process and I appreciated the additional safety. They had so many different areas hosting different parts of the festival. I was impressed by the amphitheater and seating here. I visited to see the bean, but the park as a whole was really cool! While there's a lot of people, it doesn't necessarily feel crowded because it's so vast and spacious. This is a tourist spot definitely worth visiting.

Once in a Millennium…read more.. I still can't believe that I made it here...absolutely feeling like a tourist (which I was) but as we were crossing the street I could already see a glimmer of the Cloud Gate shine and just couldn't believe how massive it really was. Not only it was massive so was the park as there were many features with a restaurant water feature and even various art scattered all around it's not just the Bean that many come here for but to just take in the beauty that sits right in the middle of a massive city giving you some bit of nature and fun all in one area. I'd return here in a heartbeat as I don't think that I'd see it's full glory but am so grateful to have a moment to take it all in as we just have moments to enjoy each and every day and this one was just as special to share with friends that enjoyed it all as well. Thank you!

Had a great day with Mateo today Great kayak guide with a…read morelot of knowledge about the city and keeps it fun with the "dad Jokes" Definitely recommend booking here! - and if you didn't tip (over) don't forget to tip your guide!

My husband and I rented single kayaks from Urban Kayaks to paddle the harbor on Lake Michigan, and…read morehad a great time! The rates were very reasonable, the staff was helpful and gave good instruction on where to go and not to go in the harbor. My husband and I have kayaking experience, so we did not need instruction by the staff, but they do offer it to beginners. The equipment is in very good shape. You will be provided free life jackets and a cubby to hold personal items. If you want to lock valuables up, you can rent a locker for a very reasonable fee, and you can also purchase a dry bag for your phone that hangs around your neck, so you can take photos while you paddle without fear of losing/damaging your phone. There are public restrooms about 50 yards away if you'd like to change clothes before/after your trip. We had a great time, had access to everything we needed, and didn't break the bank while enjoying a truly unique experience! We wouldn't hesitate to recommend renting from Urban Kayaks--enjoy!!

Great gym with a ton to climb. Routes for days…read more Found the grading a little soft, especially on the auto belays. With so many autos would like to have my diverse climbing. The bouldering was soft too but had some unique setting so that makes up for it. With that said, very into this gym. The staff and clientele were very cool. Would probably be a member of in the area.

A fun fitness day with the girls! We tried rock climbing at Brooklyn boulders and it was…read morechallenging but fun. S/O to Lamuna (I hope I'm spelling that correct) , she was such an amazing guide for our visit. We got to try different level climbs and then the tall wall for the finale. I really enjoyed this experience! I loved the challenge the tall wall gave me but forgot I had to come down and got nervous to jump lol all in all, 10/10 experience would go again!

It was an amazing experience. The staff was very helpful and informative. Overall our experience…read morewas very good.

Great boat rental! Kelly was great and super informative. Wonderful experience and highly…read morerecommend. I grew up in Chicago and now live in California. It's nice to come back and do all the tourist things we have never done when living here.

One of my favorite things about visiting Chicago was all of the gorgeous gardens. In addition to…read moremaking the city beautiful they are free to visit. You can find the Daniel L. Flaherty Memorial Rose Garden in Grant Park. It is located just north of the Buckingham Fountain. In 1963 Daniel L. Flaherty with help of the Chicago Horticultural Society and the Chicago Central Area Committee planted the original rose garden with 8,000 roses of more than 120 varieties. Flaherty was the parks general superintendent at the time Mayor Richard J. Daley dedicated the garden on May 8, 1963, Although designed with the best intentions some of the roses were not best suited for Chicago winters. The Chicago Peace Rose was one such hybrid tea rose that could not tolerate the harsh winters and overcast days that allowed diseases to proliferate The garden dwindled down to 3,000 roses in 30 varieties. In 2002 the Chicago Park District dug up and gave away 250 rose bushes of the hard-to-manage, delicate hybrids and replaced them with 16 hardy varieties of shrub roses instead of the tea roses. Roses are even more difficult to grow in south Florida's tropical climate so it was a real treat to see so many lush and colorful flowers blooming. In addition to the roses there are four circular fountains with bronze figures installed in the center of each: Dove Girl, Turtle Boy, Crane Girl, Fisher Boy. The fountains were created by artist Leonard Crunelle (1872-1945), who was well known for sculpting figures of children. Crunelle was born in Pas de Calais, France in 1872. He emigrated to Brazil, Indiana, in 1882 before making his way to Chicago as a student and apprentice of famed sculptor Lorado Taft. He settled down in Chicago and lived here until his death in 1944, at the age of 72. I love how the nature of the flowers frames the art of the fountains. This was one of many places I enjoyed taking pictures of in the city.

Another great part of Grant Park is this small area north of Buckingham Fountain. Grant Park has a…read moreRose Garden. It may not be big but it still has lots of flowers to see and smell. Have a seat at one of the many benches. There's good views of the skyline from here. It conveniently is just north of Buckingham Fountain. Just walk north until you get to the white arches and you'll be here. The Rose Garden is very easy to overlook. Lots of other great things in this park get more attention. You have to remember to see this. Best time here is in the late spring when the roses bloom. The roses in the shaded areas look better in summer. Be sure to check this out when you're in Grant Park. It's easy to forget with all the other stuff. The park is nice for a hangout with someone because it looks and smells terrific.

**UIC Swim Classes: A Budget-Friendly Option for Kids**…read more We enrolled in UIC Swim Classes for our 1.5-year-old and found it to be a solid, budget-friendly option. At $22 per session, the classes offer structured swim lessons at a more affordable rate compared to other local options. There is a chill vibe that works great for a 1st learner, but the level of rigor is lower than Goldfish so we switched there once we got off their wait list. Classes are sold in 5 week packages, and reschedules are not typically allowed. The class structure follows a set sequence of exercises. Instructors are friendly, but engagement is inconsistent. While they guide kids through various activities, the level of encouragement and feedback varies, with some instructors mentally checking out after providing initial directions. The UIC facility itself is quite nice - The water is comfortably warm and there are changing areas. Parking is available but paid for a few dollars. Note that your access is restricted to within 15 minutes of class time, so don't go too early. Though there are fewer opportunities for underwater practice and confidence-building dips, the parent/tot classes are primary about getting your kid comfortable in water. Overall, UIC Swim Classes deliver decent value for the price, though parents seeking a more intensive training that will get kids swimming faster may want to explore Goldfish.

Great facility open year around BUT CLOSED FOR SCHOOL…read moreHOLIDAYS! Spa and sauna are super nice. The rec app says there is a Pilates reformer but no classes to sign up. Testing to find out if true.

Viewing the lake…read more.. After spending some time at Shedd Aquarium the natural path you'd take would obviously be the view of Chicago Lakefront and yes they do have a trail that would make it a place for many to enjoy. You can clearly see Navy Pier though the shoreline view is just beautiful as I never imagine a view of the lake would be so grand and am so happy that we had wonderful weather to take it all in as there aren't much coverage if it would turn on you but a great place for many to enjoy weather you're relaxing or taking a walk it's a grand place to enjoy what beautiful Chicago has to offer. Thank you!

The Chicago Lakefront Trail is a scenic walk alongside Lake Michigan. The lake is so large and…read moreexpansive, you forget it's a lake. It feels like you are looking out at the ocean, except that it's so filthy, with no sand. You're reminded it's freshwater because there are so many geese along the trail, on the grass, and in the water. Bird doo doo everywhere, too. The waters are choppy. I even saw a sunken boat. Someone's not going to be happy finding out that their boat sank. Since I visited during the fall season, even though it was cold and windy, the skies were blue with fluffy white clouds in the sky. Handful of joggers and a few tourists taking selfies by the water.

Beautiful park in the heart of Chicago within walking distance to nearby popular attractions such…read moreas Millennium Park that has The Bean and Buckingham Fountain and the famous Riverwalk area. Family friendly park that's away from the hustling and bustling pace that's tree lined and quiet to relax and enjoy a nice day out. Plenty of activities to do for all ages with a skate and bike park, mini golf, and well shaded kids playground. The fun doesn't end and your peace of mind expands. The park is clean, tranquil, fun and beautiful!

All children are welcome to this playground upon playground upon playground. Great tree coverage,…read moreso that you can stay cool in the summer, but also get shade from the sun. Great spot for families or for a walk. You are also very close to so many different things, so Maggie Daley is definitely a spot to hit up if you are in Downtown Chicago.