This activity is so simple, yet my kids absolutely LOVE it! Every year at both the beginning and end of the boating season, the bridges lift on set dates along the Chicago River to allow boaters to bring their boats to/from storage. Catch one of the last days for this on Saturday November 7th. More info here. The Lake Shore Drive bridge lifts first at 9am, and then the next bridge will lift once all boats are through. Find a great viewing spot along the Riverwalk, and you can watch each bridge lift and lower, and wave to the boats as they go by! On a warm, sunny day (aka this Saturday), the views downtown can’t be beat as the buildings truly sparkle. Grab brunch at one of the many restaurants with a patio along the river afterwards!
Chicago River Bridge Lift
Go for a sunny family bike ride along the Lakefront trail
This could be one of our last warm weekends for awhile, so get out and enjoy the Lakefront before the winter cold sets in! Bike riding is the perfect way to do this, especially with a bike trailer or bike seat for your kiddos. If you don’t have a bike or kid seats, Bobby’s Bike Hike has bikes and gear to rent, so there is no excuse to strap in the kids and get going! Foxtrot has the BEST packable picnic food (with so many locations I guarantee there is one near you, or one along your bike ride). Pick up sustenance from Foxtrot along the way, pack a blanket to sit on, and stop somewhere for a lovely lunch to let the kids stretch their legs!
Chicago Lakefront Trail
Race scooters down the 606 and stop for coffee, donuts, and other treats
Visit the 606 this weekend and get the “wiggles” out with bikes & scooters! Try to visit during an off-peak time to avoid lots of running & biking traffic. There are so many great things to check out off the various access points (see here), we love to stop at Ipsento 606 for coffee, tea, and mini donuts! Park No. 567 is adjacent to this cute coffee shop, and my kids love to run up the hill and climb on the rocks while we drink out coffee. It’s the perfect place to spend a beautiful morning!
The 606
Think “green” and drop off your pumpkins to be SMASHED!
The Scarce Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort by communities to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing locations for residents to drop-off jack-o-lanterns to be composted. It is held each year the Saturday after Halloween. Don’t Trash it, Smash it! Find your closest location here. I like the Edgewater location, because after you smash your pumpkin you can stick around and enjoy the gorgeous weather in the lakefront park!
SCARCE Pumpkin Smash
Treat yourself to your favorite coffee & find a sunny spot to plan your perfect Thanksgiving meal
For most of us, Thanksgiving is going to look a little different this year – and for a LOT of us that means catering in instead of attending a Thanksgiving gathering. Many of the catering companies & restaurants are going to sell out of their Thanksgiving packages VERY early so take the weekend to browse the options in our Thanksgiving Catering Guide and place your orders! Bonus points if you do this with your favorite beverage while sitting outside in the sun 🙂
Lincoln Park Moms Thanksgiving Catering Guide