BUCKET LISTED
Summer’s in full swing, and this month we’re all about soaking it up—one bucket list adventure at a time. From leveling up your grilling game and discovering new experiences, to flipping through a beach read or diving into fringe festivals, we’ve rounded up fresh ways to make this summer unforgettable.
And if your next big move involves more than just travel, I’m here to help—offering expert real estate guidance whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent.
Summer bucket lists should encompass more than a return to your favorite haunts and activities: They should shake up how you experience our hometown! This season, why not skip your usual spots and try something unexpected to make your summer feel brand new.
Been to the Art Institute or Field Museum a dozen times? Then check out the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures—where you’ll find some 350,000 artifacts, excavated mainly by ISAC archaeologists in Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Syria, Anatolia, and the Levant. Or head to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where exhibits and vibrant programming will deepen your knowledge and appreciation of Mexican art and culture.
Instead of hitting the same big-name festivals, take a short trip beyond city limits to experience smaller events: The Brookfield Fine Arts Festival (Sept 7) is a juried art fair with live music while Glen Ellyn’s Jazz Up Festival (July 12) features rising stars and legends. Known for its excellent restaurants, the North Shore community of Highwood hosts its annual Garlic Festival on Aug 13.
Looking for nightlife with a twist? Trade your usual club for a dance floor under the stars at Chicago SummerDance, held in Grant Park and neighborhood parks throughout the season.
You don’t have to travel far to explore something new—sometimes all it takes is stepping outside your usual orbit. Grab your calendar and start penciling in a few off-the-beaten-path adventures—your summer bucket list will thank you.
Summertime in Chicagoland is all about al fresco dining. So, if your summer bucket list includes taking your picnics and cookouts to the next level, then check out these creative, no-recipe-needed ideas.
Think beyond burgers: try skewers with halloumi and peaches, or grill watermelon for a smoky-sweet surprise. Elevate your condiments game with spicy aioli, pickled anything, or a drizzle of hot honey. For picnics, swap the usual sandwiches for pressed baguettes (they travel well and get better with time) or mason jar salads layered like edible art.
Veggie lovers, rejoice—grilled elote-style corn, stuffed peppers, or smoky eggplant slices make for satisfying mains. Or take your picnic global with a selection of Mediterranean mezze, Asian-inspired lettuce wraps, or bánh mi-style sandwiches for flavor that travels.
Drinks? Infuse sparkling water with herbs and citrus, or freeze berries into your ice cubes. And don’t forget dessert—grilled stone fruit or cookies packed in a vintage tin add a nostalgic touch.
Pro tip: Keep a grab-and-go picnic basket or backpack stocked with a blanket, reusable cutlery, plates, cups, and wine opener. You’ll always be ready for an impromptu outing to the park or beach.
If your summer bucket list needs something a little unexpected, put a Fringe Festival on your radar. These creative, unfiltered arts festivals spotlight experimental theater, comedy, dance, storytelling, and more—often in intimate, unconventional venues.
The movement began in 1947, when eight theater groups showed up uninvited to the Edinburgh International Festival. Refusing to be excluded, they performed on the “fringes” of the main event—unjuried, unfiltered, and fully independent. That rebellious spirit sparked what is now the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival. Taking place every August at hundreds of venues around town, there are more than 3,000 shows from cabaret, musicals and children’s theater to comedy, dance, circus and opera!
Can’t make it to Scotland? You can still get your Fringe fix closer to home.
In Cleveland, the BorderLight Theater Festival (Jul 16-19) features 40+ productions across 16 stages—all of them unfiltered and full of discovery. In nearby Indianapolis, the IndyFringe Festival (Aug 14–24) returns for its 20th anniversary. And here in Illinois, the Elgin Fringe Festival (Sep 19-28) showcases bold artistic innovation with an emphasis on performance art—from dance, music, theater, and comedy to the resolutely undefined.
Every summer bucket list needs a good read. Here are three new novels recommended by The New York Times.
The First Gentleman by Bill Clinton and James Patterson: The third book from this best-selling duo revolves around the president—up for reelection with her husband on trial for murder.
Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid: From the author of “Daisy Jones & The Six” comes this epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980’s space shuttle program.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab: This genre-defying vampire story was described by Kirkus Reviews as a “beautiful meditation on queer identity against a supernatural backdrop.”
