City Guide: Things to do While Boating in Chicago, Illinois
Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago offers boaters a bundle of historic sites, cultural attractions and other adventurous activities. Visit world-class art and history museums, city parks, urban beaches, sculpture gardens and the iconic architecture of skyscrapers such as the John Hancock Tower, the Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. Then there’s all that shopping along the Magnificent Mile (more than 450 shops, major department stores and designer boutiques, to be exact).
On the waterfront, Lake Michigan is a stop on national sailing regattas, and the canals of the Chicago River (the one that flows green for St. Patrick’s Day) travel around the city. There are yacht clubs, boat ramps and boat docks for rent around the city. Whether you’re in town for a Chicago Cubs game, as a stop-over on a Great Loop excursion or hanging out at a private boat slip rental, there’s no end to the attractions and activities the Windy City has to offer. Let’s take a look.
Art Institute of Chicago
Photo: Art Institute of Chicago Facebook
The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S. Located in a prime location across from Millennium Park, we think it makes a cool day trip from a boat lift for rent. The museum features a collection of drawings, paintings, sculpture, photography and Tiffany stained glass. You’ll find everything from impressionism and surrealism to American, Asian, Korean and Roman art. Featured exhibits include artists such as Mark Rothko, Hokusai and Kehinde Wiley.
Chicago Maritime Museum
Photo: Chicago Maritime Museum Facebook
The Chicago Maritime Museum, located at the Bridgeport Art Museum, tells the story of Chicago’s historic past at the foot of the Great Lakes. The 10,000-square-foot museum has exhibits on French fur traders, recreational sailing, steam-powered ships, modern Great Lakes frigates and antique canoes.
Millennium Park
Photo: Millennium Park Facebook
Millennium Park features world-class architecture and landscape design in a public park and outdoor venue space. The 24.5-acre park, located above a parking garage, is considered the world’s largest rooftop garden. There’s an ice-skating rink, sculptures, fountains and gardens, lots of green space and the famous Cloud Gate statue (the bean). Take in special events or concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or check out the Crown Fountain, an interactive art and video installation. Lurie Garden is 2.5-acre garden at the southern end of the park.
Navy Pier
Photo: Navy Pier Facebook
For amusement park fun, head to Navy Pier for rides, games, shops and dining. Check out the carousel or the 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel. There are lots of restaurants and snack vendors as well as public art and sculpture installations. Enjoy attractions like the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier Beer Garden and the Crystal Gardens botanical garden. You can also book a bike tour or dinner cruises on the Spirit of Chicago or Odyssey Lake Michigan.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Photo: Lincoln Park Zoo Facebook
Looking for a wild place to visit from a boat slip for rent? Founded in 1866, the Lincoln Park Zoo features a wide array of animals, including African penguins, plains zebras, giraffes, polar bears, gorillas, Amazon river turtles and two-toed sloths. The zoo has garden and plant ecosystems, tundra habitats, waterfowl lagoons and much more.
We hope you’ve found some fun things to do the next time you’re boating in Chicago. Check out some of these attractions from a private boat dock rental. Let us know your favorites!
