"Chicago Summer Adventures: From Festivals to Family Fun on This Windy City Weekend"

Welcome to “Things to Do in Chicago” for Saturday, July 19, 2025! It’s a bustling summer day in the Windy City, and whether you’re a lifelong local or just visiting, there’s an adventure waiting around every corner.

Let’s set the scene: as of this morning, Chicago is alive with anticipation for some strong to severe storms rolling in later, so pack an umbrella if you head out. Despite the weather, the city’s spirit is as lively as ever, with energy pulsing through its neighborhoods thanks to a weekend lineup packed with food, music, and fun[2][8].

Here’s your quick guide to the day’s biggest happenings, tailored for every interest:

- **Foodies, rejoice!** The 22nd Annual Taste of River North is back at 627 N Wells St, serving up flavors from the city’s best eateries with plenty of drinks and music all afternoon and into the evening. It’s a classic summer festival experience you won’t want to miss[1].

- **Family adventurers and LEGO fans** should head straight to Maggie Daley Park, where the LEGO Group hosts a dazzling Jurassic World Rebirth Maze Experience starting at 10 am. It’s hands-on, kid-friendly, and right in the heart of downtown[1].

- **Culture seekers** can step into the stories of Wicker Park’s past on the Historic Homes, Cottages & Buildings Walking Tour at 11:00 am. This immersive stroll reveals Victorian architecture and fascinating labor history—perfect for explorers with a love for local lore[6].

- **Music lovers** are in for a treat with Lord Huron rocking The Salt Shed Outdoors tonight, or classic jam band Phish lighting up the United Center. If dancing on water sounds more your style, join one of Chicago’s popular party boat cruises on Lake Michigan for DJ beats and dazzling skyline views[4][7].

- **Night owls** can cap things off at ROOF on theWit’s Save Your Soul Saturdays or one of the city’s LGBTQ+ nightlife gatherings for a party that lasts well into Sunday morning[1][10].

In today’s local news, a few citywide updates to keep on your radar: Chicago is bracing for possible afternoon thunderstorms, so monitor weather alerts before outdoor plans. Public transit is running on schedule, but check the CTA app for any storm-related delays. Notably, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race won’t return in 2026—so fans should soak up other summer sports this weekend[2][8].

If you’re looking for a classic Chicago day, stroll Millennium Park for that perfect Bean selfie, then duck into the Chicago History Museum to experience the new “City on Fire: Chicago 1871” exhibit, which brings the city’s transformative past to life through stories and artifacts. For something off the beaten path, find a cozy hideout like Madame ZuZu’s Tea Shop for live music and art, or embrace your inner detective with a CityDays Scavenger Hunt through the Loop or Chinatown[3].

Local tip: Want to navigate Chicago like a pro? The city’s pedestrian shortcuts through the Loop’s alleys lead you to public art, murals, and the city’s best quick eats—perfect when dodging the rain or the crowds[9].

And don’t forget, tomorrow brings Day 2 of Taste of River North, more family movies in the parks, and even a Japan Festival in nearby Skokie. Tune in again for a fresh rundown of what’s happening across Chicago—there’s always something new to discover!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Chicago podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Chicago for Saturday, July nineteenth,
twenty twenty five. It's a bustling summer day in the
Windy City, and whether you're a lifelong local or just visiting,
there's an adventure waiting around every corner. Let's set the scene.
As of this morning, Chicago is alive, with anticipation for
some strong to severe storms rolling in later, so pack

(00:22):
an umbrella if you head out. Despite the weather, the
city spirit is as lively as ever, with energy pulsing
through its neighborhoods thanks to a weekend lineup packed with food, music,
and fun. Here's your quick guide to the day's biggest happenings,
tailored for every interest. Foodies rejoice. The twenty second annual
Taste of River North is back at six two seven

(00:43):
Northwell Street, serving up flavors from the city's best eateries
with plenty of drinks and music all afternoon and into
the evening. It's a classic summer festival experience you won't
want to miss one if family, adventurers and Lego fans
should head straight to Maggie Daily Park, where the Lego
group hosts a dazzling Jurassic World Rebirth MAAI experience starting
at ten am. It's hands on, kid friendly and right

(01:04):
in the heart of downtown. One Culture seekers can step
into the stories of wicker Park's past on the Historic Homes,
Cottages and Buildings Walking Tour at eleven am. This immersive
stroll reveals Victorian architecture and fascinating labor history, perfect for
explorers with a love for local lore. Music lovers are
in for a treat with Lord Huron rocking the Salt

(01:24):
Shed outdoors tonight or classic jam band Fish lighting up
the United Center. If dancing on water sounds more your style,
join one of Chicago's popular party boat cruises on Lake
Michigan for DJ beats and dazzling skyline views. Four night
Owls can cap things off at Roof on the Wits
Savior Soul Saturdays, or one of the city's LGBTQ plus

(01:44):
night life gatherings for a party that lasts well into
Sunday morning one ten. In today's local news, a few
citywide updates to keep on your radar. Chicago is bracing
for possible afternoon thunderstorms, so monitor weather alerts before outdoor plans.
Public transit is running on schedule, but check the CTA
app for any storm related delays. Notably, the NASCAR Chicago

(02:07):
Street Race won't return in twenty twenty six, so fans
should soak up other summer sports this weekend to eight.
If you're looking for a classic Chicago day, stroll Millennium
Park for that perfect bean selfie, then duck into the
Chicago History Museum to experience the New City on Fire
Chicago eighteen seventy one exhibit, which brings the city's transformative

(02:28):
pass to life through stories and artifacts. For something off
the beaten path, find a cozy hideout like Madame Zuzu's
Tea Shop for live music and art. Or embrace your
inner detective with a city day's scavenger hunt through the
Loop or Chinatown. Three local tip Want to navigate Chicago
like a pro, The city's pedestrian shortcuts through the loops
alleys lead you to public art, murals and the city's

(02:51):
best quick eats, perfect when dodging the rain or the crowds.
And don't forget. Tomorrow brings day two of Taste of
River North, more family movies in the parks, and even
a Japan festival in nearby Skokie. Tune in again for
a fresh rundown of what's happening across Chicago. There's always
something new to discover.