17 Things To Do Outside In Chicago This July

CHICAGO — It’s peak season for getting outside in Chicago, y’all (if you can handle the heat!). And our July outdoor events roundup gives you plenty of reasons to make adventure part of your weekly routine.

Lace up, saddle up or grab a paddle and explore the city’s wild side with local meet-up groups, clubs and community organizations dedicated to exploring urban nature. You can ride along on a historical bike tour to learn about the 1919 Chicago Race Riots, take a home garden walking tour through Roscoe Village, satisfy your sweet tooth at an ice cream social with fellow birders, paddle down the north branch of the Chicago River and a whole lot more.

Take your pick of one or all of these 17 outdoor events in and around Chicago this July.

RiverLab: Thursday Evening Paddle Club

5-7 p.m. July 2

River Park, 5100 N. Francisco Ave., Lincoln Square

Get some paddling in with RiverLab and the Chicago Park District. The Thursday Evening Paddle Club is a relaxed, social paddle designed for anyone who wants to connect with the water and neighbors who also want to get out on the water. All skill levels are welcome, all equipment is included and basic instruction will be provided for those who need a brief overview. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase a $5 ticket in advance online. Can’t make this event? RSVP for the next one on July 23. Learn more here.

Femmes and Thems July Group Ride

12 p.m. July 5

Depart from Humboldt Park Formal Gardens, 1400 N. Humboldt Drive

Head to West Town Bikes by way of Humboldt Park with inclusive biking group Femmes + Thems. The community ride departs from Humboldt Park’s Formal Gardens, rolling out around 1 p.m. and concluding at West Town Bikes. After the ride, stick around for a Fix-A-Flat workshop and open shop. This is a no-drop ride cruising at 8-10 mph. Bring water, snacks and a bike lock. No RSVP required. Learn more here.

Morton Arboretum: Dog Admission Days

9 a.m. to sunset July 5

Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle

Good news for dog people: Morton Arboretum trails are open to dogs on their Dog Admission Days in the park. Leash up and spend the day exploring 16 miles of trails and wide-open natural areas with your furry friends. Non-members will need general admission plus a $5 dog fee. Dogs are only allowed on designated Dog Admission Days and Tails on the Trails events throughout the year. Learn more here.

Westfork Nature Preserve Workday

9 a.m.-noon July 5

Florsheim Nature Preserve Parking, 1 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire

Give back with a conservation workday at Florsheim Nature Preserve in Lincolnshire. This hands-on day of stewardship includes cutting invasive brush and helping build a bonfire to burn discarded trimmings, plus meeting new folks along the way. Attendees will meet at the Florsheim Nature Preserve parking lot before heading into the woods. RSVP by email is required. Learn more here.

Out There Run & Walk Club: Mondays at Montrose

6:30-8:30 p.m. July 6

Montrose Terrace Shoreline, 315 W. Montrose Harbor Drive, Uptown

Join queer run and walk club, Out There, for a weekly run and walk at Montrose. Attendees can choose their own adventure, joining in on a 3-mile run or a 1.5-mile run/walk. Stick around after the walk/run for s’mores, lake jumps and hanging out with fun people. BYOB drinks and all paces and people are welcome. No RSVP needed. Learn more here.

Forest Preserves of Cook County: Camping 101

5:30 p.m. July 9

Camp Bullfrog Lake, 9600 Wolf Road, Willow Springs

Never camped before? The Forest Preserves of Cook County is ready to teach you all you need to know to get outdoors and sleep under the stars. Join this free 1.5-hour workshop at Camp Bullfrog Lake. First-timers will learn about topics like how to pitch a tent, reserve a campsite and build a fire. No RSVP, no experience necessary. Learn more here.

Montrose Bird Sanctuary Stewardship Workday

9 a.m.-noon July 11

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, 150 W. Montrose Harbor Drive, Uptown

Chicago’s migrating birds are here! Now it’s time to make them feel welcome. Join and support the Chicago Ornithological Society for a clean-up workday at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, where volunteers remove invasive species, plant native ones, collect seeds and pick up trash to keep this vital urban bird habitat in shape. All tools and instructions will be provided. Meet at the Magic Hedge main entrance before heading out with the group. Learn more here.

South Shore Nature Sanctuary: Volunteer Stewardship Day

11 a.m.-noon July 18

South Shore Nature Sanctuary, 7059 S. South Shore Drive

If you’ve never been to this hidden nature spot on Chicago’s South Side, here’s your opportunity! Tucked along the Lake Michigan shoreline and filled with native plants and stunning scenery, South Shore Nature Sanctuary feels like miles away from the city. This group workday will give back to a beloved community gem. Volunteers will help clear trash, cut back or dig up invasive species, plant native species and help with other routine care. Tools and gloves will be provided. No registration required. Meet at the sanctuary entrance. Learn more here.

Tour & Talk: Big Marsh Park

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. July 18

Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Ave.

What was once a dumping ground for industrial waste is now 280 acres of restored wildlife habitat, bike trails, hiking paths and green space: Big Marsh Park. History buffs and nature lovers can join a walking tour led by the Chicago Park District, Openlands and The Nature Conservancy to learn about this conservation success story, which concludes with a lunch and presentation on the park’s design. This program is held in conjunction with the exhibition Chicago’s Living Habitat, on view at the Chicago Architecture Center Downtown through January 2027. Purchase tickets online in advance: $15 for CAC members; $20 for non-members. Learn more here.

The Hiking Club: Bohemian National Cemetery

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 18

Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel St., Skokie

This Skokie-based hiking meet-up brings together hikers from around the city to explore new trails and nature spots in Chicago. This month’s hike departs from Emily Oaks Nature Center and heads to Bohemian National Cemetery to explore some lesser-traveled, surprisingly beautiful trails. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided for all attendees. You can also meet up at the trailhead, if desired. Purchase a ticket in advance: $14 for Skokie residents; $18 for non-residents. Learn more here.

Wild Mile Block Party

3-8 p.m. July 19

Wild Mile, 905 W. Eastman St., Lincoln Park

The Wild Mile is throwing a 5th Annual Block Party, and you’re invited! Celebrate Chicago’s urban waterways with the River Rangers from the environmental nonprofit Urban Rivers. There will be local beer, cocktails, food trucks, music and more. Spend an afternoon exploring Chicago’s native wildlife, meeting your neighbors and soaking up one of the city’s most wild stretches of river. Admission is free and open to all ages. No RSVP required. Learn more here.

Read & Run Chicago: ‘To Washington Park, With Love’ Fun Run

9-10 a.m. July 19

Meet-up location provided at registration

Read & Run Chicago, Urban Canopy and Haymarket Books will explore Washington Park on a three-mile run (12- to 13-minute per mile pace) or a leisurely two-mile walk inspired by “To Washington Park, With Love,” Rose Blouin’s collection of essays and photographs celebrating Chicago, community and Black joy in the summer of 1987. The first 30 arrivals will get a free copy of the book. Afterward, explore the Bronzeville Farmers Market for fresh produce and meet local vendors. Learn more here.

Lincoln Park Kidical Mass

9 a.m. July 19

Depart from Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St.

Round up the entire family for a kid-friendly group bike ride that takes an easygoing and fun roll through Lincoln Park. Organizing group Kidical Mass focuses on safe and accessible group bike rides for families with little ones. Meet-up time is 9 a.m. and rollout time is 9:15 a.m. sharp. This is a family-friendly, free event. No RSVP needed. Learn more and find out about other rides here.

Flock Club! Ice Cream Social

6-8 p.m. July 23

Bartleby’s Ice Cream, 1943 W. Byron St., North Center

Calling all bird lovers and ice cream lovers: The Chicago Ornithological Society’s Flock Club!, a social gathering by and for birding enthusiasts, is headed to Bartleby’s Homemade Ice Cream for cold treats, live bluegrass and conversation all about birds. This casual meet-up for birding experts and novices alike is free to attend. No RSVP needed. Zero birding experience required. Learn more here.

8th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour

9:45 a.m. July 25

Depart from 125 Fort Dearborn Drive, Bronzeville 

Take a journey through an important piece of Chicago history as you learn about the Chicago Race Riot of 1919. Led by the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, which “exists to commemorate the worst incident of racial violence in the city’s history,” the journey on two wheels will honor 38 lives lost with group stops at the newly installed commemorative markers along the route. The slow-roll, seven-mile ride launches from the lakefront near the Eugene Williams marker and ends at the Illinois Institute of Technology parking lot D5. Check-in opens at 9:15 a.m. Learn more here.

Roscoe Village Garden Walk

Noon-5 p.m. July 26

Various locations in Roscoe Village

If you’re looking for gardening inspiration, head to one of Chicago’s most charming neighborhoods for the Roscoe Village Garden Walk. It’s your chance to snoop through the most beautifully manicured private gardens on the city’s North Side. Walk through Roscoe Village to find participating gardens and keep an eye out on the website for host locations. This event is put on by the Roscoe Village Neighbors group. Learn more here.

BFF Bikes: Thursday Women, Trans Femme Social Ride

6:30-7:30 p.m. July 30

Depart from BFF Bikes, 2056 N. Damen Ave.

Ride out from Bucktown with BFF Bikes on their Thursday night Women, Trans & Femme Social Ride, a beginner-friendly group ride through the city for women and trans femme cyclists. Expect to ride around 8 to 10 miles at a comfortable 10-12 mph pace. Before departing, organizers will cover ride safety, the route and what to know to feel confident on the road. Sign up in advance online. Learn more here.