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City Cast Chicago

Sidney Madden

Wonder where Black History Month originated? The Wabash YMCA in Bronzeville.

 had been a place for Black residents to temporarily stay after coming to Chicago during the Great Migration, getting education and job training. The surrounding neighborhood became densely populated at the same time. Dubbed the city’s “

,” a thriving cultural scene was born with prominent artists like poet Gwendolyn Brooks and author Richard Wright.

The Renaissance Collaborative, a social services group that has worked to restore and preserve the Wabash Y, shared spots to explore in the area.

 is an art gallery on 47th Street that centers Black and brown curators.”

, opened in 2008, is a Black-owned restaurant in the heart of Bronzeville on 39th Street and King Drive.”

 The Renaissance Collaborative is hosting 

“These Walls Don’t Talk — People Do” on Feb. 28

 at the historic Former Wabash Y. This free, open-house and storytelling event will explore the historic center’s legacy and invite everyone to contribute to the building’s living history with photos, documents, and audio or video interviews.

historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas’ Bronzeville tour

Check out this guide on what to see, eat, and do in this historic Chicago neighborhood.

Get to Know Bronzeville, Chicago

Get to Know Bronzeville

Everything to know about Chicago neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Chicago Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

As the feds descend on our city, it’s hard to think of much else. But Chicago is still Chicago. And Chicago is great in the fall.

There are so many ways to soak up autumn — carving pumpkins, watching scary movies, drinking Oktoberfest ales, dressing up for Halloween … Luckily, Chicago covers it all with festivals, parades, and pumpkin patches. Whether your ideal fall day is cozy, spooky, or crafty, we’ve got a recommendation for you!

Take a hayride along the river and enjoy apple cider donuts at Island Party Hut’s autumn Saturday celebrations.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Scarecrow Weekend this year by voting on your favorite handmade straw watchman or making a scarecrow-to-go.

 | Oct. 19 | North Park Village Nature Center

Newsletter Editor Emmi highly recommends putting your scarecrow-making skills to the test in the scarecrow competition.

Enjoy a stroll through decorated gardens and watch the animals participate in the fall fun with themed enrichment toys!

West Chicago Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch

Whether you want your hayride haunted or picturesque, this festival has options!

Come for Chicago’s largest corn maze, stay to enjoy the food trucks and specialty cocktails.

 | Oct. 8-12, 15-19, 22-26 | Chicago Botanic Gardens

Get inspired by hundreds of artist-carved gourds featuring tributes to Chicago sports teams, landmarks, and legends.

 | Oct. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 | Johnson’s Farm, Hobart, IN

Pick your own pumpkins and squash — to eat or decorate with!

For the serious horror movie marathoner, check out this 24-hour film line-up!

This annual tradition has been named one of the best Halloween parades in the country, so don’t miss it!

 | Through Nov. 2 | Six Flags Great America

Embrace the screams in the scare zones and enjoy terrifying live shows after dark.

What happens when you combine fall flavors and Mexican cooking? An inspired menu featuring pumpkin ancho tostadas and apple empanadas.

Help feed your neighbors and enjoy local brews at the same time! The entry is a suggested donation to The Friendship Center.

The city’s largest Oktoberfest is back with brats, beers, and Bavarian vibes.

Whether your ideal fall day is cozy, spooky, or crafty, we’ve got a recommendation for you!

2025 Fall Fests Coming Up in Chicagoland

Fall Fests Coming Up in Chicagoland

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

The end of summer can feel tragic in Chicago, but don’t worry — 

temperatures shouldn’t drop consistently till the end of the month

. That means there are about 30 warm days left. Take advantage!

Stave off the end-of-summer blues with jazz. You can kick things off Sept. 1 at the 

 for $25. Later in the month, free options include:

 | Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation | South Loop

Meanwhile, other fests continue all over the city. Art lovers, consider 

And for the foodies: two Oktoberfests — one in 

, Riot Fest is back in Douglass Park this year Sept. 19-21. To strike a deal, Riot Fest pledged an additional $1 million to the park over the next five years.

This year’s headliners include Blink 182, Weezer, and Green Day. And — probably — John Stamos will perform. Fest founder “Riot Mike” just got a 

 on his leg, which was one of the actor’s demands to drum for the Beach Boys’ set. 

Riot Fest has a longstanding meme-y obsession with the actor.

 at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings. Will you be tailgating? This year could be one of the last to darty outside the ol’ Spaceship stadium. As of now, building a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights is 

54th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade

 will take place Sept. 14 along 26th Street, while the accompanying fest, 

This year’s theme is “Pride and Power: Our Strength, Our Legacy.”

The last couple Emmy Awards were a source of hometown pride as “The Bear” swept. This year, TV’s biggest night takes place Sept. 14, and “The Bear” is nominated in 

 … but I still love seeing Chicago repped at awards shows.

 is a twice-yearly phenomenon when the sun lines up perfectly with Chicago’s grid. This fall, it’ll happen

Sept. 22-25. Head to the Loop to capture building-framed shots, but you should be able to see the burning orange golden hour from just about any east-west street.

Got other things you’re excited for in September? Hit us up at 

The end of the summer can feel tragic in Chicago. That's why we're not calling it the end of summer.

Your Guide to Chicago in September 2025

If you’re looking to take your workout outdoors, why not try joining a 

, led by instructor Olivia Santelli, meets most summer Friday mornings at sunrise at Oak Street Beach. It’s quickly become one of the most popular options for exercise al fresco. 

But if you’re looking for something a little less crowded, here are a few more options to check out this summer.

Whether you’re interested in salsa, samba, or cumbia, 

 has got you covered! The free classes take place on Wednesdays at various parks and are suitable for all skill levels.

Move your salutations into the sun with free yoga classes that are part of the 

 program. Or try Zumba, pilates, or kickboxing! Classes are Saturday mornings at the Great Lawn and Wrigley Square.

, a bike club that explores the city once the sun has gone down. The group meets 9 p.m. Mondays at the Lincoln statue at North Avenue and Dearborn Street.

 on Aug. 31! It’s the 40th anniversary of the Active Transportation Alliance’s fundraiser to support safe infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, and public transit.

Early-birds should check out the free classes offered by 

, which combine body weight training and running. Classes start bright and early at 6:06 a.m. at Jane Addams Park on Wednesdays and Millennium Park on Fridays.

Want to be more surrounded by trees than buildings? Check out the 

 for hikes, bikes, nature walks, yoga, and kayaking. Their next fitness hike is coming up on July 23 in Yankee Woods.

 at 10 a.m. Sundays at Harrison Park to get your heart pumping and hit your step goal!

’s strength training and conditioning workouts on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, or Saturday mornings.

Our recommendations for outdoor exercise classes and groups available this summer in Chicago.

Ways to Work Out Outdoors in Chicago 

Tips and tricks for living your best Chicago life, by locals, for locals.

Chicago Life Hacks

Do you, like me, have dreams of “living off the land”? Of bringing beauty and sustainability to everyday life? And maybe even saving money at the grocery store?

Well the dream might actually be much more attainable than you ever thought. The City Cast Chicago podcast recently spoke with 

 Bonnie McDonald and Michael Johnson, who started their home garden in 2015.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What are some easy tips for beginning home gardeners?

 “Some of the easy tips would be: What space do you have that just has some light? You have a window, you can grow something. It’s as simple as getting a pot, some dirt, start growing. Try it out. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

“A great place to start to feel successful are herbs. Herbs, they’re very prolific. Oftentimes they are perennial, they come back on their own. Another easy one, green onions. What you can do is essentially chop off the bottom and plant the bottom of your green. You don’t even need seeds to do that.”

How do you explain the cost benefit, especially for a new gardener, of growing your own food versus buying it from the grocery store?

“When you think about the specialized equipment, it can be a lot of upfront cost. But you can step up and grab things over time. And don’t forget that Goodwill has some amazing appliances.”

“But if you’re looking to replace a lot of your food, you need space for that. In our yard … in the summer it replaces maybe two thirds of our grocery bill.”

“All of Chicago has community gardens around the city. So you can rent a space if you have resources to do that. Or, ask a friend.”

You also have bee hives! What’s the benefit of bringing bees into your ecosystem?

“We read that having bees increased production of many of the foods in the garden by about 25%. So this was a sustainable, natural way to increase production because the bees are close at hand to pollinate everything that needs to be pollinated.”

“It also benefits our neighbors who have flowers or other plants. So it’s good for the neighborhood. Bees can actually forage up to 10 miles, so they’re not just staying in our yard. They’re going all over the city. “

Back to your fruits and vegetables, what items do you think are most reliable to grow?

“Our tomatoes are very consistent. Our bell peppers are very consistent. Most of the things are pretty rewarding. When you’ve had an apple fresh off the tree, it’s incredible. When you dig up a carrot and they’re sweet, they’re incredible. Sugar snap peas right off, are just amazing.”

🐝 Hear the bees buzz

4 Tips For Starting a Garden in Chicago

How to Start Your Own Chicago Garden

Warmer days are here, so we’re sharing the best Chicago rooftops to soak up the spring sunshine.

Atop the Robey Hotel is a two-fer. On the 13th floor, Up Room offers an updated spring cocktail menu, panoramic city views, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Meanwhile, a few floors below, Solana brings the party vibes. Solana opens officially on May 5, replacing the neighborhood favorite Cabana Club — but don’t worry, the space retains Wicker Park’s only public pool. It’s low-key but legendary.

Head to the Virgin Hotel for sunset drinks and dancing at “the cherry on top,” a cocktail lounge on the 26th floor with a great rotation of DJs and social events.

The world’s largest rooftop bar is, in fact, at Navy Pier, according to 

, measuring in at over 50,000 square feet. However, note that the majority is enclosed. Still, the glass ceiling lends an airy feel that’s worth a stop if you’re already at the Pier. You can also step onto a smaller outdoor patio for scenic pics if you really want to indulge your inner tourist.

This beautiful community space has phenomenal food, a large event space, and a rooftop with immaculate vibes. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink, and vibe.

The beer and cocktail selection continues to expand, plus the pizza is killer and they prioritize fresh ingredients in their food. Full rooftop service doesn’t begin until later in the season, but you can take your drinks upstairs and start enjoying the sunshine.

RE: Chicago Rooftop Bars

Share your favorite Chicago rooftop 🥂

The Best Chicago Rooftops for Spring Weather

Chicago's Best Rooftop Bars for Spring

Holidays in Chicago are almost as busy as summer, which is why we made this bucket list. Plus, if your fall gloom is turning into the winter blues, we think this bucket list will help.

. And if you’re not smooth on the ice, take a free lesson downtown on Saturdays to 

Is there any better feeling than when the CTA holiday train unexpectedly pulls up? 

The city’s transit agency hasn’t yet released the schedule

, but we’ll keep you posted when it does. Your last chance to book a Metra holiday train is today at noon for a 

Hey Chicago readers know their hot chocolate: You all shared your 

 to get the warm drink last year. I’m partial to Christkindlmarket, where you can take home a 

 comes from a Logan Square family. If you want to see lots of trees, head to the Museum of Science and Industry’s 

Want to give back? Help My Block My Hood My City 

 at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Donate 

Make your own holiday bar crawl and visit 

Why do your holiday shopping at big box stores when Chicago’s local businesses have unique gifts your friends and family will love? 

Block Club’s local gift guide just dropped

, and we’re obsessed with everything from the plush plant toys to neighborhood baseball jerseys 😍

It’s been a warm fall, but snow is in the forecast this week. Once it sticks, be sure to 

. Plus, guess who just learned you can ski and snowboard in nearby states like 

We’ll keep you updated on our progress in the coming weeks as we check things off — and we hope you’ll keep us updated on yours, too!

Holidays in Chicago are almost as busy as the summer.

Chicago's Best Holiday Festivities

Your Chicago Holiday Bucket List

 as of last quarter, Crain’s reported. City officials and business leaders have tried to chip away at the problem — like 

efforts to convert offices into apartments on LaSalle Street

So how can Chicago revitalize the Loop? University of Chicago students are trying to drum up solutions

Professor Justin Marlowe is in charge of the 

. He shared the unique ways students are reimagining downtown Chicago.

What solutions are already impressing you?

“Students recognize the value of green space as a quality of life consideration, but also as a driver of economic development particularly for new tech-centric business models where that's a must-have for younger tech workers who want to be downtown.”

“A couple of groups are actively exploring what it means to do a major 

 downtown, and they've gone so far as to collect data on what it would mean for the Sox or Bears or Red Stars.”

“Students are interested in things we haven't thought about like sustainable agriculture. You could have an entire multi-acre farm operation set up in a building downtown to provide 

fresh produce for the entire neighborhood

You said students are also interested in making downtown equitable. Can Chicago’s downtown be for everyone?

“One of the things that students have had to define early on is exactly what is downtown. And I think for a lot of students who are concerned about the equitable redevelopment of downtown, they've been willing to think about maybe not just a downtown strategy, but multiple downtown strategies serving different parts of downtown.”

“So you could have, in theory, people who are looking for subsidized affordable housing options in the same building with people who are willing to pay quite a bit more for more amenities where they're paying market rate and then some. And that works really well in certain places. In other places, that's just not really an option.”

What other cities are students looking to for examples?

 has had a variety of tax credit programs to encourage [office-to-residential] conversions. They've done some transit investments. They've done some infrastructure investments. They've leaned into their downtown ambassador program to try to create a better quality of life and a lot more events and street life happening downtown.”

“San Francisco has seen a drastic improvement in people coming downtown, crime, and perceptions of the quality of life downtown. There’s a similar sort of playbook there.”

“If you're looking to think about what a pedestrian-friendly downtown looks like, then inevitably you end up looking at someplace like Barcelona.”

Finalists for the Harris Policy Innovation Challenge will be unveiled in the spring.

Downtown office vacancy remains high. So how can Chicago revitalize the Loop?

University of Chicago Students Offer Solutions to Revitalize the Loop

Why Chicago's Downtown Needs Help

What Chicago celebrities, public figures and key citizens have to say about living here.

3 Questions With Chicago Public Figures

3 Questions With

Monday marked the last 6:00 p.m. sunset of the year, and Halloween is fast approaching.

Dark and spooky? A perfect time to honor the nocturnal creatures of Chicago (i.e. the critters that go bump in the night).

Although rodent-like in appearance, opossums are actually marsupials like koalas and kangaroos — yes, they also have pouches for their offspring. These little creatures have 50 teeth, opposable thumbs, and are the longest surviving mammal in North America. Opossums feed on rotten food fallen from trees, bugs, insects, and roaches, which has earned them the nickname “

 is black and gray and can weigh up to 30 pounds as an adult. They’re common across the state and reside in wooded bluffs and bushy ravines. Bobcats are carnivores, so be sure to keep your pets inside at night and 

Like a mix between a moth and a hummingbird, sphinx moths have large bodies, small wings, and a long tube-like mouth to help access its primary source of food: nectar from flowers. The white-lined sphinx moth can be seen during the day, but 

Identifiable by its tiny body and big eyes, these squirrels live primarily in wooded cavities like old nests and dead trees. They’re difficult to spot in the dark, but have a 

. Despite the name, they navigate trees by gliding rather than flying.

Often misunderstood, bats are another natural pest controller, consuming thousands of insects each night. All 13 species of bats commonly found in Illinois are 

, so they cannot be shot, trapped, or held in confinement.

If you enjoyed reading about these nocturnal creatures, you’re going to love the delightfully spooky “

” document from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Just in time for spooky season, these are the creatures that roam the night around Illinois.

outdoor activities

Get to Know Bronzeville

Fall Fests Coming Up in Chicagoland

Your Guide to Chicago in September 2025

Latest articles

Get to Know Bronzeville

Fall Fests Coming Up in Chicagoland

Your Guide to Chicago in September 2025

Ways to Work Out Outdoors in Chicago

How to Start Your Own Chicago Garden

Chicago's Best Rooftop Bars for Spring

Your Chicago Holiday Bucket List

Latest articles

Ways to Work Out Outdoors in Chicago

How to Start Your Own Chicago Garden

Chicago's Best Rooftop Bars for Spring

Your Chicago Holiday Bucket List

Why Chicago's Downtown Needs Help

Meet Illinois’ Nocturnal Animals

Move Over, Moo Deng. Here are Chicago's Pygmy Hippos.