Lake Michigan beach within walking distance of UChicago

Description: Discover how Chicago transforms when winter ends and summer begins. From beaches to the Riverwalk to the lakefront, the city comes alive with energy, activity, and connection. Join me as I share personal stories on what outdoor culture really means for Chicago—and beyond.

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Transcript (provided by author):

Welcome to the ELI’s Finding Chicago Global Perspectives Podcast Series for AEPP 2025. I’m your host, Kenshi Takeda, and I’m currently enrolled in the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

I want to start off by sharing what summer in Chicago has been like for me so far.
One of the first places I went was 57th Street Beach. Now, I didn’t plan very well. I showed up without a swimsuit. So all I could really do was dip my feet in the water. But even just standing there, I felt the energy of the place. People were swimming, riding boats out on the lake, eating snacks, and just enjoying the sunshine. What really struck me was how relaxed everyone seemed. You could tell that people weren’t just at the beach, they were making the most of summer, like it was something they had been waiting for all year.

Another spot I fell in love with is the Chicago Riverwalk. I’ve been there three times already, and every time it was crowded. I grabbed a beer at The Northman Beer & Cider Garden and found a seat by the water. Pretty soon, I noticed that nearly every single chair was taken. Groups of friends were laughing, families were sharing fries and hot dogs, couples were enjoying the view. And at the same time, people kept running past on the path, like, there was this rhythm of city life happening right next to me. I remember thinking, wow, this is such a mix of relaxation and activity. Some people are chilling with a drink, others are sprinting past them in workout gear. But somehow it all works together.

Even outside of those experiences, I notice this outdoor culture everywhere. On the bus to school, I often see cyclists riding along the lakefront. Sometimes when I take the train, I see people carrying their road bikes onto the Metra. And once they get off at the station, they immediately head toward Lake Michigan. It’s like they can’t wait to get outside.

What I’ve realized is that summer here isn’t just about warm weather. It feels bigger than that. It’s almost like a celebration that the whole city participates in. Whether it’s the beach, the river, or the lakefront, people aren’t just passing the time. They’re actively embracing being outside, and it gives the city this incredible energy.

So, that got me thinking. Why is outdoor summer culture such a big deal in Chicago?
The obvious answer is winter. Chicago winters are intense, cold winds, snow, gray skies. People here really go through months of just trying to stay warm. So when summer finally arrives, it feels like a reward, and you can see how much people value it. It’s almost like the city itself transforms once the sun comes out.

But I don’t think it’s only about escaping winter. Another part of it is the events that happen here. For example, when I went to Lakeview, Dine Out On Broadway was taking place by chance. Restaurants had tables out on the street and people were eating together. On the lakefront, there are fireworks and Air & Water Show. The sheer number of people who gather for these things tells you a lot. Chicago isn’t just a place where people live day to day. It’s also a city that attracts visitors who want to be part of this summer celebration.

And then there’s the environment itself. Chicago has worked hard to keep the river and the beaches clean. The cityscape by the water looks beautiful, and it gives people a reason to come out. Not every city in the world has such an accessible lakefront or a downtown riverwalk that’s this inviting. Chicago really leans into its identity as a city on the water, and people take full advantage of that.

There’s also the fact that these activities are affordable. Running, cycling, swimming, they don’t really require much money. In a country where the cost of living can feel heavy, it’s nice that people can still enjoy summer without spending a lot. And maybe that’s part of why the culture feels so inclusive. You don’t need to be wealthy to go for a jog by the lake or sit on the beach with friends.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the strong health and fitness vibe here. It’s funny, because Chicago food culture often gets stereotyped as being full of heavy, high-calorie meals. And yeah, deep dish pizza, fried chicken, hot dogs, you definitely see those around just like we also watched in a video in class. But maybe that’s part of what pushes people to be active, to balance things out. On top of that, Chicago has the Chicago Marathon, one of the most famous marathons in the world. That event alone probably inspires thousands of people to train year-round, and it creates this culture of endurance and persistence.

But to me, the most interesting part goes beyond health. It’s the social side of outdoor culture. When people are outside, running, chatting, drinking together, it naturally creates opportunities to connect. You see strangers talking, kids making friends, people meeting up after work. And that builds a certain kind of openness. Don’t you think it’s amazing how just being outside changes the way people interact?

In a way, I think summer here reflects something deeper about Chicago itself. This is a city that has gone through hard times, the Great Fire, economic ups and downs, and every year, the brutal winter. And yet, every summer, people come outside, fill the beaches, run along the lake and drink by the river. To me, that says something about resilience and joy.

Thank you for listening to my podcast. So if you ever get the chance to be in Chicago in the summer, do it. Go to the beach, walk the Riverwalk, and bike along the lake, because you’ll see what I’ve been seeing. It’s not just summer. It’s Chicago’s way of celebrating life.