Summer Activities For Seniors Living in the Chicago Area

Summer Activities For Seniors Living in the Chicago Area

After a long, cold winter; there’s nothing that a senior living in the city of Chicago looks forward to more than a summer days on the shores of Lake Michigan. With travel still difficult because of COVID-19 restrictions. Summer is the perfect time to be a tourist in your own city.

Staying active this summer in Chicago will not only help your physical and mental health. But the memories of all the fun will help you stave off the winter blues; when the cold weather rolls around again. We’ve compiled some of the most popular attractions and activities for the elderly we think older adults might enjoy (sorry, Lollapalooza, not you).

Live Music is Good. Free Live Music is Even Better.

Every year, world class musicians gather just north of the city. They play at the Ravinia Festival in front of adoring crowds sipping wine on the lawn. But Ravinia isn’t the only music game in town. The Grant Park Music Festival includes live performances in Millennium Park from the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus along with acclaimed soloists and chamber groups.

Best of all, lawn seating and some seats in the pavilion seating area are free! You can even bring in outside food and drinks; for a picnic in the park this is a very senior friendly activity.

Take a Stroll and Stop to Smell the Roses (Literally!)

The live classical music scene isn’t the only thing growing in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Botanic Garden has everything from a traditional English walled garden to an Enabling Garden that seniors might find useful in getting new ideas for their own home garden. But beyond the flowers, the Botanic Garden has classes ranging from Horticulture to Yoga and Tai Chi. Members get free admission and parking, but there are also reduced rates for seniors on Tuesdays.

You don’t even have to leave the city to see beautiful flowers. The Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens on the North Side and the Garfield Park Conservatory on the West Side both have acclaimed gardens. Admission is free, but timed registration is required, and hours are very limited this summer.

See a Movie Al Fresco

Remember the days of the Drive-In movie theater? You’d park next to a truly terrible speaker. Pay way too much for popcorn, and the kids would fall asleep before the movie was over anyway. While regular Drive-in theaters have gone away, the ingenious folks at the Davis Theater in Lincoln Square have brought back the Drive-in for pop-up events in Evanston and movies on the lawn in Lincoln Yards.

Additionally, the Music Box Theatre’s Garden Movies is a great way to spend an evening. There are also local park district and other commercial outdoor movie nights all around the city.

Re-visit Some Icons of Chicago

Maybe you haven’t been to the Lincoln Park Zoo (which is always free), or the Art Institute of Chicago (which has significant senior discounts) lately. It’s easy to forget what great cultural institutions Chicago has to offer, especially after being locked up at home for so long. So get your picture taken in front of the bean (sorry, Cloud Gate), hit up Sue the T-Rex at the Field Museum, and maybe even take an Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River.

The Museum of Science and Industry has a ton of new exhibits, and many Chicago street festivals are back this year. Celebrate living in Chicago this summer; and just between us? Put ketchup on your hot dog if you want to, we won’t tell anybody.

Home Care Powered by AUAF Wishes Seniors a Great Chicago Summer This Year

Need more suggestions for Summer Activities For Seniors Living in the Chicago Area? Check your local park district or senior center website. Many will have a whole host of classes to take, free concerts, movie nights and more. One thing is for sure, if you’ve taken all our advice on what seniors can do in Chicago this summer, you’re going to be exhausted. So why not get some help around the house by having an in-home care aide help you out. From medication reminders to light housekeeping, our at-home caregivers can help seniors have a great Chicago summer. Contact Home Care Powered by AUAF or call us at (773) 274-9262 to find out more about high quality home care for seniors today.