Chicago in July

Chicago’s summers are short, hot and generally get into full swing by July. This is peak tourist season – there seems to be a street festival every weekend (including the massive Taste of Chicago), the city’s best restaurants open up their streetfront patios, beer gardens, and rooftop decks, fitness fanatics take over the Lakefront path, running and biking along its length. The harbors are full of boats, the beaches are lined with baking bodies and the parked are filled with people at play.

Though the occasional cold front comes through, most nights are hot and humid and temps can sometimes reach into the mid-90′s, making strong summer storms a welcome relief from the heat. Average highs are 84°F, with average lows at 66°F. July is one of summer’s driest month, but still sees a few rainy days and thunderstorms.

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>> more on what to wear in Chicago in summer

Chicago is fully open for business in July, and guests and residents can pick from a range of options for things to do,  from embracing the heat at the beaches, farmers markets, Ravinia live music venue, Cubs games at Wrigley Field, street festivals, and river and lake cruises to cooling off indoors at plays, operas, musicals and the city’s best museums.

>> more on thing to do in Chicago in summer
>> more neighborhood festivals
>> more on Cubs games in Chicago
>> more on things to do in Chicago in July
>> 4th of July in Chicago

Photo by Slack-a-gogo