7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Unwind at the Jazz-Filled Chicago Parks
This September, Chicago's parks will come alive with the soulful sounds of jazz.
The city's annual Jazz Festival will feature free, diverse performances across Millennium Park and neighborhoods, offering a vibrant, non-touristy experience for visitors.
The Chicago Jazz Festival has been a beloved annual tradition since 1978, drawing over 200,000 attendees each year to enjoy free world-class performances across multiple stages in Millennium Park and neighborhood venues.
Curiously, the festival's organizers have been experimenting with innovative performance formats, including interactive workshops and late-night jam sessions, to engage both seasoned jazz aficionados and newcomers to the genre.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Unwind at the Jazz-Filled Chicago Parks
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Explore Unique Art Exhibitions Off the Beaten Path
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Indulge in Local Culinary Delights at Hidden Gem Eateries
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Witness Nature's Spectacle - The Chicagohenge Phenomenon
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Unearth Chicago's Medical History at the Surgical Science Museum
- 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Engage with the Community Through Recreational Programs
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Explore Unique Art Exhibitions Off the Beaten Path
Caribbean Fragments" exhibition.
Additionally, the Hyde Park Art Center provides a platform for local Chicago artists through "The New Frontier" exhibit, offering a unique perspective on the city's creative landscape.
The Chicago Arts District on 1945 S Halsted Street is home to 30 galleries and lofts, offering a unique, off-the-beaten-path art experience for visitors.
The McCormick Bridgehouse and River Museum, located inside the iconic Michigan Avenue bridge, is a hidden gem that provides a fascinating look at the city's architectural and industrial history.
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is currently featuring an exhibit showcasing the works of Eugenia Mancini, a Ukrainian-born, Chilean-raised artist, offering a rare opportunity to explore her vibrant and thought-provoking creations.
Caribbean Fragments," which showcases the work of contemporary artists from the Caribbean and its diaspora, providing a diverse and compelling perspective on the region's artistic traditions.
The Hyde Park Art Center's "The New Frontier" exhibition features a curated selection of works by local Chicago artists, offering a unique glimpse into the city's thriving, grassroots artistic community.
Surprisingly, the Chicago Food Truck Festival, a two-day event where visitors can sample dishes from a variety of mobile restaurants, has become a popular off-the-beaten-path culinary experience, attracting foodies from across the city.
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Indulge in Local Culinary Delights at Hidden Gem Eateries
Chicago's hidden gem eateries offer a culinary experience that highlights the city's diverse neighborhoods and cultural heritage.
For a non-touristy experience, try visiting Polo Café in West Loop, known for its decadent brunch dishes, or Kai Zan in Logan Square, which serves creative, farm-to-table Japanese cuisine.
Another hidden gem is the historic Italian steakhouse Gene & Georgetti in River North, providing a taste of classic Chicago.
Chicago's Ed Debevic's restaurant offers a unique 1950s-1960s retro diner experience, complete with neon lights, vintage jukeboxes, and classic Americana decor.
Blue Moose, a local favorite pub in Chicago, serves up a distinctive blend of food, fun, and flair, providing visitors with a hidden gem dining experience.
Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, Florida, is a seafood spot that has a veritable shrine dedicated to the local delicacy of rock shrimp.
The Blue Moose in Florida is a hidden culinary gem off the beaten path, offering exceptional food and drinks in an inviting ambiance.
Kirkland, Washington, is home to beloved local and visitor restaurants, as well as hidden culinary gems that offer exceptional food, inviting ambiance, and unforgettable drinks.
Arlean's Caribbean Soul Food in Chicago focuses on community and providing non-touristy dining experiences for its patrons.
Polo Café in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood is known for its decadent brunch dishes, offering a non-touristy culinary experience for those exploring the city.
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Witness Nature's Spectacle - The Chicagohenge Phenomenon
The Chicagohenge phenomenon is a natural wonder that occurs twice a year in Chicago, marking the spring and fall equinoxes.
During this time, the sun perfectly aligns with the city's east-west facing streets, creating a stunning display of light and shadow that can be witnessed at sunrise or sunset.
This unique event is considered a must-see for locals and visitors alike, as it offers a chance to witness nature's spectacle in the heart of the city.
The Chicagohenge phenomenon is a rare astronomical event that occurs twice a year, aligning the setting and rising sun with the grid of Chicago's east-west streets.
This unique spectacle is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, which causes the sun to appear to rise and set along the city's grid during the spring and fall equinoxes.
The best vantage points to witness the Chicagohenge are the east-west facing streets in Chicago's downtown and Loop areas, where the sun's alignment creates a stunning interplay of light and shadow.
According to astronomers, the Chicagohenge can be observed with the naked eye, making it an accessible natural event for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
Interestingly, the Chicagohenge phenomenon is not limited to Chicago; similar alignments can be observed in other cities with grid-like street patterns, such as Manhattan in New York City.
Researchers have found that the Chicagohenge event has been occurring for centuries, with historical records indicating that the phenomenon was likely observed by the city's earliest inhabitants.
The timing of the Chicagohenge varies slightly each year, but generally takes place around the spring and fall equinoxes, typically from March 19-23 and September 22-
Engineers and urban planners have studied the Chicagohenge phenomenon, as it provides insights into the design of city grids and the interaction between natural and man-made environments.
Surprisingly, the Chicagohenge event has gained popularity in recent years, attracting both locals and tourists who come to witness this unique natural spectacle in the heart of the city.
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Unearth Chicago's Medical History at the Surgical Science Museum
The Surgical Science Museum in Chicago offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of medical practices and surgical techniques.
Visitors can explore over 10,000 artifacts, including vintage surgical instruments and medical illustrations, providing a unique window into the city's rich medical history.
While not a typical tourist destination, the museum presents a compelling opportunity for those interested in the development of the medical field and the advancement of surgical science.
The museum's collection includes over 10,000 artifacts, ranging from ancient surgical instruments to modern medical illustrations, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.
One of the museum's most fascinating exhibits is the "Hall of Surgical Instruments," which showcases over 500 surgical tools dating back to the 16th through 19th centuries, providing a glimpse into the evolution of medical technology.
Visitors can explore an exhibit on the history of anesthesia, which traces the development of pain-relieving techniques from the use of ether and chloroform in the 19th century to the modern advancements in anesthetic drugs and delivery methods.
The museum's collection includes a rare set of wax anatomical models from the 19th century, which were used by medical students to study the human body before the widespread adoption of modern imaging techniques.
Interestingly, the museum's exhibits highlight the contributions of pioneering female surgeons, such as Dr.
Bertha Van Hoosen, who performed one of the first successful appendectomies in the late 19th century.
The museum's international collection of surgical instruments includes tools from various cultures, providing a fascinating cross-cultural perspective on the evolution of medical practices.
Visitors can explore the history of surgical resections, including the development of techniques for removing tumors, organs, and other diseased tissues, which have significantly improved patient outcomes over time.
Surprisingly, the museum's collection includes a set of early 20th-century operating room equipment, such as sterilizers and anesthesia machines, offering a glimpse into the technological advancements that revolutionized surgical procedures.
The museum's exhibits also highlight the contributions of pioneering surgeons, such as Dr.
Daniel Hale Williams, who performed one of the first successful open-heart surgeries in the late 19th century.
Interestingly, the Surgical Science Museum is located on the campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, allowing visitors to connect the museum's exhibits to the ongoing medical education and research happening at the institution.
7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chicago This September - Engage with the Community Through Recreational Programs
From sports leagues and dance classes to environmental cleanup initiatives, these community-based experiences allow travelers to connect with the city on a deeper level beyond typical tourist attractions.
Several organizations in Chicago, such as the Chicago Urban League and Citywide Fund, host events and programs centered on recreation and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging for both residents and visitors.
The Chicago Park District manages over 600 parks, offering a wide range of recreational programs that attract over 20 million visitors each year, contributing over $2 billion to the local economy.
The Chicago Cultural Center, a historic landmark building, hosts free community programs and events, including dance classes, art workshops, and poetry readings, providing a hub for cultural engagement.
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Community Gardening program allows local residents to cultivate their own plots, fostering a sense of community and connection to the natural environment.
The Chicago Park District's "Night Out in the Parks" initiative organizes over 1,000 free cultural events and performances across the city's parks each year, creating vibrant community gathering spaces.
The Chicago Park District's "Learn to Swim" program has taught over 300,000 children and adults basic swimming skills, promoting water safety and accessible aquatic recreation.
The Maggie Daley Park in downtown Chicago features a one-of-a-kind, 40-foot-tall climbing wall, offering an exciting recreational activity that attracts both locals and visitors.
The Chicago Park District's "Sport for Social Change" program uses sports as a tool for community engagement, fostering leadership development and social inclusion among underserved youth.
The Northerly Island nature preserve, located on a former airport site, offers hiking trails, birdwatching, and environmental education programs, transforming a former industrial site into a community asset.
The Chicago Park District's mobile recreation program brings free programming, such as fitness classes and arts activities, to underserved neighborhoods, ensuring equitable access to recreational opportunities.
The Park Advisory Councils, volunteer-led groups that support and advocate for individual parks, have been instrumental in developing community-driven programming and securing funding for park improvements across Chicago.