THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Embracing the Arrival of Autumn!

Can you believe it’s the third weekend of September already, and that autumn officially arrives on Tuesday? Well, this weekend will bring fall-like temperatures with plenty of sun for you to get out and embrace the arrival of the autumn season! After all, we know what comes next!!

Explore Chicago through the eyes of a local during International Greeter Day this Saturday at various locations throughout the city. International Greeter Day celebrates the Greeter service in Chicago and around the world in over 140 cities and in 36 countries. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to get out and explore the city through these tours created by knowledgeable Chicago Greeters. Just pick a neighborhood and take a free tour led by expert locals. They will guide you through authentic Chicago and its fascinating histories, diverse cultural traditions, iconic landmarks, and off-the-beaten-path gems!

There’s a new interactive walking tour in town entitled WANDER: Lincoln Square – A Chicago Walking Experience. These guided tours are given weekly Thursday through Sunday (September 19-November 1) in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. The tour includes live agents and pre-recorded historical scenes to facilitate exploration of the neighborhood’s present with the discovery of its past. Each tour includes up to 20 socially distanced ticket holders and lasts approximately 65 minutes. Ticket holders will receive information on where to meet at the beginning of the tour. Also, tours are dependent on weather, so ticket holders will receive a text if canceled due to weather, but I don’t think you’ll have a problem this weekend!

Let’s not forget our furry family members who also love being outdoors. The Dog Days of Summer Pet Party takes place this Saturday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) at the SSA27 CTA Plaza (3411 N. Southport Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood. This outdoor doggie play party features a paint your pet class with Chicago Sip & Paint, get a pic in their photo booth by Trainman Photography, take a dip in the wading pool or ball pit by A Dog’s Best Friend, have some fun with Miss Foozie, and much more! This event will be abiding with COVID-19 guidelines!!

If you’re going to be indoors this Saturday between 1 p.m.-2 p.m., you might want to take a Cruise from your Couch Virtual Boat Tour. You’ll experience the beautiful architecture along Chicago’s river in this virtual presentation using 360-views in Google Street View. Your expert tour guide will share forgotten stories of Chicago’s waterways, environment, transportation history, and architectural masterpieces. You’ll also have the option to play an interactive game of clue-based bingo as you watch!

Begin your Sunday morning (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) with a Virtual Breakfast with the Animals hosted by Lincoln Park Zoo. Just whip up some breakfast, or order in from your fave breakfast restaurant, then tune in to a live stream of learning about the Zoo’s lowland gorillas from the comfort of your home!

BTW, our Chicago Bears will be hosting the New York Giants at Soldier Field this Sunday at 12 p.m. Watch the game on CBS! GO BEARS!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago