Spring has officially arrived in Chicago. And with the warmer months, the opportunities for getting a healthy dose of fresh air and sunshine are beckoning. Residents of NEMA Chicago don’t need to leave their downtown Chicago apartments to enjoy a relaxing resort-style vacation. Everything they need is right at home; like the 10,000-square-foot outdoor deck, for a day of lounging poolside or soaking in a spa pool. There is ample space for sunbathing, cooking out on the Viking barbecue grills, or simply luxuriating with a good book and a crisp glass of prosecco. But just around the corner from NEMA Chicago are plenty of activities and destinations ideal for taking full advantage of the best weather of the year.
Dining al fresco — with a magnificent view of the water — is one of the greatest pleasures of the city during Chicago’s warmer months. City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk offers fine dining, plus a selection of beers, cocktails, and the restaurant’s signature wine on tap, all accompanied by the Riverwalk’s unparalleled views of the Chicago River. The Northman Beer & Cider Garden, also located along the Riverwalk, brings an impressive selection of draft beers and ciders, as well as wines, cocktails, a full bar, and food, to its open-air, dog- and family-friendly setting. For a dinner of fresh fish to complement dramatic water views, try RPM Seafood Chicago, well-known for its haute seafood-based offerings, as well as pastas, steaks, and craveable desserts.
Of course, Chicago offers a range of spectacular sights to behold — perhaps most impressive when seen from high above the city. Whether for cocktail hour or for an after-dinner nightcap, there is the rooftop bar Raised, which includes an indoor-outdoor bar and roof deck, as well as private outdoor areas — all with panoramic views of downtown Chicago below. LH Rooftop offers a full menu of fine American cuisine, as well as an extensive beverage menu, to be enjoyed with city and water views in a refined rooftop setting.
Finally, for a full day of outdoor activities, Chicago’s celebrated Navy Pier offers everything a warm spring day calls for. Even lifelong Chicago residents can enjoy a cruise, including the famed architecture tour or a dining cruise. Or, they can go for one of the speedboat, biking, or helicopter tours, which present the Windy City from a fresh new perspective. Options for dining along the Navy Pier abound, including family-friendly taverns, deep-dish pizza outposts, and a host of rooftop restaurants and bars. Hot afternoons may call for a classic rainbow cone or a frozen margarita, best enjoyed while walking along the pier. Or stop in at the waterfront Navy Pier Beer Garden to cool off with a frosty mug and to relish the refreshing breeze off the water.
After a full day touring the city, or simply taking in city and water views, residents of NEMA Chicago can return home to relax in the afterglow of a full day in the sun.