What to Do In Evanston, Il When You Want to Get Outdoors and Explore
Evanston, Illinois is a top attraction along the North Shore in close proximity to Chicago, and summertime is the best time to get outside and enjoy the wide range of outdoor activities the city has to offer! Getting outdoors is not only fun, but it provides many health benefits including reducing stress, improving sleep, and decreasing anxiety! Evanston is filled with endless outdoor activities that make getting outside a breeze, and we’ve gathered some of our favorites.
Did you know Evanston is near amazing beaches? Evanston is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to not one, but six public swimming beaches! Whether you enjoy swimming, boating, picnicking, or playing tennis, the activities are endless and facilities are available with miles of pretty biking and jogging paths along Lake Michigan.
Love flowers? The Merrick Rose Garden is perfect for you. Located at Lake Street and Oak Avenue, this garden is filled with hundreds of beautiful rose bushes, and a hundred different types of roses for you to explore! This garden is also home to the historic Fountain Square Centennial Fountain, originally purchased by public donations in 1876 in honor of the nation’s Centennial.
You can experience Evanston's history while seeing gorgeous views by visiting the Grosse Point Lakehouse! After many shipwrecks in the area, this gorgeous lighthouse was built in 1873 as the lead lighthouse marking the approach to Chicago. The grounds of Grosse Point Lighthouse National Landmark are open year-round, and you can pay to take a tour! General admission costs $10 for adults and $5 for children and includes access to the exhibit on the history of Grosse Point Lighthouse with accompanying video presentation, the Lady Elgin shipwreck exhibit, and a tour up 141-stairs to the top of Grosse Point’s light tower. Not only is the lighthouse beautiful to look at, but the property also has wildflower and butterfly gardens maintained by The Garden Club of Evanston.
If you'd like to be outdoors while simply enjoying a beer or cocktail and a delicious meal, then take a visit to Peckish Pig! This gorgeous restaurant not only brews its own beer, but they also have a large patio for you to enjoy a date night, or gather with friends and family.
