How to take transit to summer fun in the Chicago region

Whether you’re visiting the Chicago area for the first time or looking for adventures in your own backyard, Chicagoland’s transit system is a great way to explore. This summer, use CTA, Metra, and Pace to travel to exciting seasonal events and activities while saving energy, enjoying scenic views, and avoiding traffic and parking headaches. The RTA has curated a list of transit-accessible destinations to help you make this a summer to remember without relying on cars.

Ready to start planning your journey? Try using the RTA’s Trip Planner tool to get personalized transit directions to your destination.

Downtown Chicago

Iconic summer events at Grant Park

Grant Park, also known as “Chicago’s Front Yard,” is home to Millennium Park, the Museum Campus, and some of Chicago’s most well-known summer events. Lollapalooza, NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend, and Taste of Chicago are all coming up in 2025.

Explore more free and ticketed Chicago music festivals here.

Address: 301 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

Transit Information: Grant Park is served by many CTA bus routes including #2, 7, J14, 26, 126, 151, and more. The Metra Electric Line’s Millennium, Van Buren Street, and Museum Campus/11th Street stations are located in Grant Park. All CTA train lines except the Yellow Line and all Metra lines have stations in Downtown with Grant Park a quick walk, bike, or bus ride away.

Fun for the whole family at Millennium Park

Millennium Park runs outdoor concerts, movies, workout classes, and special events all summer long. Catch the Chicago Gospel Music Festival on July 12 or the Chicago House Music Festival on August 23, then pop over to Maggie Daley Park’s playground, climbing wall, gardens, and picnic groves.

Check out Millennium Park’s full summer calendar here.

Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601

Transit Information: Millennium Park is just east of the Washington/Wabash station on the CTA Orange, Pink, Green, Purple, and Brown Lines, the Lake stop on the Red Line, and the Washington stop on the Blue Line. The park is also served by the Metra Electric Line and CTA buses #3, 4, 6, J14, 20, 56, 60, 124, 146, 147, 151, and 157.

Free art exhibitions, movement classes, and fireworks at Navy Pier

Popular tourist destination Navy Pier hosts free events including live music, sunset dance and yoga lessons, and interactive art installations. This summer, stick around to catch the fireworks at 9 p.m. every Wednesday and 10 p.m. every Saturday.

Address: 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Transit Information: Navy Pier is served by CTA buses #2, 29, 65, 66, and 124. To reach Navy Pier from local Metra terminals, take CTA bus #124 from Union, Ogilvie, or Millennium Station or CTA bus #29 from LaSalle Street or Millennium Station.

L Stop Tours

L Stop Tours offers small group walking tours beginning and ending near CTA train stops. This summer’s tours will guide visitors through neighborhoods including River North, Pilsen, and the Prairie Ave District.

Transit Information: Meeting points vary by tour. Check the tour’s website for current offerings.

South Side

Chinatown Summer Fair

From July 26-27, celebrate Chinese culture, food, art, and music at the annual Chinatown Summer Fair. The fair will feature a lion dance procession, kung fu demonstrations, street vendors, and more.

Address: S Wentworth Avenue between W Cermak Road and W 24th Place, Chicago, IL

Transit Information: The festival will take place near the Cermak-Chinatown CTA Red Line station and CTA bus route #24.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry & Jackson Park

Embark on a tour of a realistic coal mine, watch and shape a 40-foot tornado, and explore historic vehicles in the Transportation Gallery at Chicago’s famous Museum of Science and Industry. This summer, the museum is extending its hours until 9 p.m. for “Super Sundays” and offering low-sensory mornings and free admission for Illinois residents on select days. For visitors looking for more things to do nearby, the museum’s Jackson Park location is close to the Japanese-inspired Garden of the Phoenix, the Chicago Lakefront Trail, and 57th Street Beach.

Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60637

Transit Information: The Museum of Science and Industry is served by CTA buses #2, 6, 10, 28, and 55 and is within a 10-minute walk of the Metra Electric Line’s 55th - 56th - 57th St. stop.

Big Marsh Park

Big Marsh Park features paved bike trails, BMX jump lines and pump tracks, a climbing wall, and bird-watching habitats. In addition to the park’s regular eco-recreation opportunities, summer bike programs allow attendees to strengthen their biking skills and try out the park’s world-class facilities.

Address: 11559 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60617

Transit Information: To reach Big Marsh Park by transit, the Friends of Big Marsh organization recommends biking from the CTA J14 Jeffery Jump bus's 103rd/Stony Island stop. The distance from the bus stop to the park is 2 miles on a paved road with bike lanes.

Tip: Interested in exploring nature with transit? Find transit-accessible hiking trails in the Chicago region here.

West Side

Garfield Park Conservatory

Stroll through indoor and outdoor gardens featuring thousands of plant species from around the world at the Garfield Park Conservatory. The Conservatory offers free admission with proof of Chicago residency and runs children's drop-in events, beekeeping demonstrations, film screenings, and more.

Address: 300 N. Central Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60624

Transit Information: The Garfield Park Conservatory is a large glass building just north of the Conservatory-Central Park stop on the CTA Green Line.

Northwest Side

Wicker Park Fest

Enjoy live music, local food, arts and crafts, retail vendors and more at Wicker Park’s famous street festival from July 25-27. Wicker Park Fest is one of many Chicago street festivals taking place this summer.

Transit Information: Wicker Park Fest is located between the neighboring Division and Damen stops on the CTA Blue Line. The festival area is also served by CTA buses #50, 56, 70, and 72.

Tip: While you’re in Wicker Park, try walking, biking, or rolling along Bloomingdale Trail. Commonly called “the 606,” the trail has been transformed from an abandoned railway line into a recreational greenway featuring a smooth paved surface and wheelchair-accessible ramps at each of its 12 access points.

LaBagh Woods

The LaBagh Woods is one of Chicago’s best birdwatching locations and also provides access to the North Branch Trail, which is a popular route for cyclists.

Address: LaBagh Woods, West Foster Avenue, N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Transit Information: Metra MD-N line, CTA buses #81, 92

North Side

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, home to hundreds of plant and animal species, has been free and open to the public for 150 years and runs daily activities throughout the summer. Outside the zoo, explore Lincoln Park’s miles of walking paths, soak up the sun at North Avenue Beach, or visit botanical gardens at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Address: 2001 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60614

Transit Information: Lincoln Park Zoo is served by CTA bus routes #22, 36, 151, and 156. The CTA Brown and Purple Lines’ Armitage station and Red Line’s Fullerton station are located 1 mile west of the zoo.

Northalsted Market Days

The Northalsted neighborhood will host a weekend-long street festival from August 8-10. Featuring vendors, food and beverages, all-day lineups of live music, drag performance, and more, Market Days is a joyful celebration of community.

Transit Information: Northalsted Market Days can be accessed via the CTA Red Line at the Addison stop, the CTA Red, Brown, or Purple lines at the Belmont stop, and multiple CTA buses including #22 and 77.

South Suburbs

Metra lines: Heritage Corridor (HC), SouthWest Service (SWS), Rock Island District (RI), Metra Electric (ME)

Lyric Theater in Blue Island

Blue Island’s Lyric Theater is a restored historic movie theater that hosts classic film screenings, local and touring band performances, and community events. This summer, check their calendar for unique events and concerts.

Address: 12952 Western Ave. Blue Island, IL 60406

Transit Information: For Metra riders, the Lyric Theater is walking distance from the Blue Island stops on the Rock Island and Metra Electric lines. The theater is also served by Pace bus routes #349 and 359.

The Forge Lemont Quarries

At the Forge Outdoor Adventure Park, zipline and climb on a high ropes course or stay low to the ground with paddle boating, archery, laser tag, and more. The Forge hosts free “Movie Mondays” and other special events throughout the summer.

Address: 227 Heritage Quarries Dr Lemont, IL 60439

Transit Information: The quarry entrance is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Heritage Corridor Metra line’s Lemont station.

Cars & Guitars on 66

Enjoy the irony of taking transit to a car show when you head to Cars & Guitars on 66. Held at Joliet Junior College’s City Center location, this family-friendly fundraiser for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum will bring together vendors, live rock music, and sharp-looking automobiles on select Tuesdays this summer.

Transit Information: The Cars & Guitars venue is about a 12-minute walk from the Joliet stop on Metra’s Heritage Corridor and Rock Island lines. Pace buses #832 and 834 both have stops 1-2 blocks away from the venue.

Tip: If you’re looking for even more music in downtown Joliet, see who’s playing at The Forge concert hall down the street.

West Suburbs

Metra lines: Milwaukee District West (MD-W), Union Pacific West (UP-W), BNSF Railway (BNSF)

Brookfield Zoo

As the largest zoo in the Chicago area, Brookfield Zoo is known for its naturalistic animal habitats and conservation leadership. The zoo will host events throughout the summer including “Roaring Nights” summer concerts and a new, after-hours “Zoo Uncorked” experience.

Address: 8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513

Transit Information: The Brookfield Zoo is served by Pace bus route #331 and the Metra BNSF Line at Hollywood Station (the “Zoo Stop”).

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

In Oak Park, discover the “birthplace of an architectural revolution” by visiting the first home and studio of one of the world’s most famous architects. Houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright can be found all over Chicagoland, making the region a treasure trove of fun for architecture buffs and curious visitors alike.

Address: 951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Transit Information: Frank Lloyd Wright’s first home and studio is about a 15-minute walk from the Union Pacific West Metra line’s Oak Park stop, and the CTA Green Line’s Harlem/Lake stop. The home is also near Pace bus routes #307, 311, and 313 and CTA route #90.

Northwest Suburbs

Metra lines: Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW)

Rockin’ in the Park Rosemont

In Rosemont, enjoy free summer concerts at the Parkway Bank Park’s large entertainment and dining complex. The park and nearby destinations are served by their own Pace bus route, #811, or the Rosemont Entertainment Circulator.

Address: 5501 Park Pl, Rosemont, IL 60018

Transit Information: The complex is within walking distance of the CTA Blue Line’s Rosemont stop and the Rosemont station along Metra’s North Central Service line. It is also served by Pace bus routes #330 and 811.

North Suburbs

Metra lines: Milwaukee District North (MD-N), North Central Service (NCS), Union Pacific North (UP-N)

Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a living museum and science center featuring a variety of natural landscapes. This summer, stop by the Model Railroad Garden, one of the garden’s flower shows, or a colorful multimedia dance performance. The garden offers free admission days for Illinois residents with preregistration.

Address: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022

Transit Information: The garden's entrance is close to the Braeside stop on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line and Pace bus route #213.

Ravinia Festival

The Ravinia outdoor music festival hosts more than 100 concerts every summer. This year, the calendar features artists like Nas, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and Lindsey Stirling with symphonic performances from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Philharmonic. The park has its own Metra stop and honors festival entry tickets as Metra train fares.

Address: 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

Transit Information: The Union Pacific North Metra line’s historic Ravinia Park stop runs directly to the park during the summer months. Otherwise, the Braeside stop is about a 15-minute walk away. The park is also served by Pace bus #213.

Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park

Located just north of the Chicago city limits, the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is a 2-mile expanse of landscaped walkways featuring an array of eye-catching public art pieces. Trained volunteer docents lead informal walking tours on weekends throughout the summer. Wheelchairs, dogs on leash, and bicycles are all welcome.

Address: East side of McCormick Boulevard between Dempster Street and Touhy Avenue, Skokie, Illinois.

Transit Information: The northernmost Dempster side of the Sculpture Park is near Pace bus #250 and the Pace Pulse Dempster Line. The southernmost Touhy Avenue entrance is accessible via Pace bus #290 and CTA buses #11 and 96.

How to take transit to summer fun in the Chicago region
July 1, 2025