Summer is fast approaching, and this year, we should try to explore the world around us. Whether it’s a road trip, a weekend away, or just a few hours somewhere close to home, there is so much to explore this summer.
1. Chicago Botanic Gardens features two dozen gardens on more than 300 acres of land and is great for all ages. Admission is free, but you do pay if you park on site, which is totally worth it. There are walking and biking paths to explore all of the gardens and great opportunities for the bird watching enthusiasts in your life. For less than $10, you can ride the tram around the gardens and hear a narrated tour about all of the different gardens, plants, and science.
2. The National Museum of Mexican Art is located in Pilsen and is the most underrated museum in Chicago. It’s free admission, has free tours, and hosts a permanent collection of more than 7,000 items. There are programs for all age groups, art of all kinds, and did I mention it’s totally free?
3. Take a roadtrip to southern Illinois to visit Shawnee National Forest. The forest has all types of landscapes and features from dense forest area to cliffs and waterfalls. The park is in between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and is a whopping 415 square miles. It’s a great place to camp and spend a few days, or just spend a day taking in the views, hiking, and biking.
4. Visit an amusement park. In the Midwest, there are lots of options. Wisconsin Dells offers lots of water rides and parks at a pretty cheap rate if you split it with friends or family. Six Flags is a classic close to Chicago, but for those who live outside of the city, there are still choices. Muskegon, Michigan is home to Michigan’s Adventure which has a water park and a regular amusement park area with rollercoasters and games. Cedar Point is in Sandusky, Ohio and is a popular choice for people all around. Cedar Point has some of the fastest and tallest rides in the country and world so it’s the perfect place for thrill seekers.
5. Map out a circuit of your favorite things. Whether you really love world record- breaking tires and truck stops, thrift stores, or kitten cafes, map out a few day road trip with a friend to hit all of the places you’ve been meaning to visit.
6. On that note, take a trip around the Great Lakes. There is already a route mapped out to hit all five of the great lakes and drive up and down the coasts of each one. The trip is focused in Michigan, but can also visit Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
7. A little further west are the Dakotas. While there are only about 50 people per state, there is almost no end to the nature and beautiful sites to see. The most famous is of course Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, but what most people don’t know there are the multiple state and national parks right next to the monument. Wind Cave National Park has a vast network of underground caves that can be explored. In North Dakota, visit the city of Fargo that is home to the Plains Art Museum and Native American Art Museum.
Regardless of what you actually do this summer, try to use the time you have to grow, explore the world, and learn more about people around you.
Good luck on finals and have a beautiful summer!
Emma Farina
Opinions Columnist
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