1. Check out a summer street festival

There's a festival every single weekend of summer, and there's no better way to see live music, check out a different culture, or explore the arts. Most of them are suggested donation to enter, so no need to spend all of your money on these!

2. Listen to a free outdoor concert

Ok, we know teens are too cool to see Wiggleworms, but you can check out house music at Navy Pier, classical music in Grant Park, jazz in Hyde Park, or see new talent at Highland Park's Bitter Jest Music Fest.

3. Swim at one of Chicago's 50 free outdoor pools

You can't outgrow the fun of swimming with your friends! Our list has our favorites focused on younger kids, but you can find out where there are water slides, diving boards or lap swimming for exercise there or on the park district website.

 
Chicago's outdoor movies are a hit with young teens. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

4. See a free outdoor movie in the city or suburbs.

This summer is a great one for teens because Wicked is showing in many locations, replacing more juvenile movies. The Chicago Park District has movies showing almost every Tuesday through Saturday, and some of them are not just for kids — check out Mean Girls in Mary Bartelme Park or Captain America: Brave New World showing at various locations throughout the summer. 

5. Visit a Chicago beach

Swim or just relax in the sand — you can only do this for 30% of the year in Chicago, so enjoy it while you can!

6. See fireworks at Navy Pier every week or around the city and suburbs on July 4

Navy Pier has fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday, and many suburbs and sports teams also host them on or around July 4th. This is free, fun, and casual, and you can even find a food truck or vendor to make an evening out of it.

7. Go mini golfing

We have a list of 17 favorite courses. These are way more fun and competitive for teens who are actually coordinated enough to play seriously!

8. Ride the coasters at an amusement park

If you're finally tall enough to get on all of the rides, you'll love a trip to Six Flags Great America, or go farther afield and travel to Indiana Beach.

9. Go ziplining or visit an aerial adventure park

We liked Go Ape for kids of a variety of ages, but The Forge: Lemont Quarries has lots of adventurous fun for teens looking for a challenge or a thrill. 

10. Slip and slide at a local water park

More fun than a pool or beach, water parks give teens the chance to slide down slides, float in the lazy river, or swim in the wave pool.

11. Try to get out of an escape room

Super hot or rainy days can be spent trying to solve the puzzles to get out of an escape room. We've got a list of some that aren't too adult for teenagers.

12. Go for a hike

It's outdoors, it's free, and it's fun with just one friend or a whole group! There are lots of fun places to hike in and around Chicago. And if you're really ambitious...

13. Take a day trip to Starved Rock State Park

This is what I did for my senior ditch day (because I'm not as cool as Ferris Bueller). Go as a family or with friends and stay safe while enjoying the waterfalls and valleys.

14. Experience virtual reality

Another rainy day activity: visit a virtual reality gaming place like Redline VR in Ravenswood or Immersive Gamebox or Wonderverse in Oak Brook.

15. Go on a boat ride

This can be educational, like an architectural tour, or fun, like a fireworks cruise! They're offered at all times of day and fun for all ages.

16. Find a new beach

Lake Michigan isn't the only game in town! Try out one of our top 10 alternate spots to swim in the city and suburbs.

17. See the CircEsteem Around Chicago Summer Tour

Youth from the local circus school perform in different parks around the city each week this summer. See if any of your friends are participating!

 
Experience the Word Waterfall at The American Writer's Museum.

18. Learn something new at a small or quirky museum

Whether you're into art, sports, money, or even sock monkeys, there's a museum in the Chicago area for you. They're a great rainy day option and lots of them are cheap.

19. Eat ice cream

No one is too old for this summer time treat! We have a list of our favorites in Chicago

20. Or hot dogs

Remember, you can only have ketchup if you're 8 or under.

21. Go to the Pride Parade

We don't necessarily advise this for younger kids, but teens may enjoy taking in the spectacle of the Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29 in Lakeview. Scope out a spot along Broadway or Halsted early so you have a good view!

22. See a baseball game

Obviously the main action is at Wrigley Field and Rate Field, but there are also several minor league teams, like the Chicago Dogs, the Schaumburg Boomers, the Kane County Cougars, and the Joliet Slammers for sports-loving teens.

23. Visit the SkyDeck or 360 Chicago

Sunny summer days are the best time to see the views from Chicago's tallest buildings (and some of our picks for Top Attractions in Chicago), and teens are less likely to be scared of going out on the Ledge or the Tilt!

24. 'Go Run!

Test your mile or 5K time against your friends every Saturday this summer in Chicago Parks. Just make sure you remember to sign up on Friday.

25. Learn about the night sky from Astronomer in the Park

This program from the Chicago Park District is a fun and educational way to stay up late.

26. Go bowling

Take advantage of low rates during day time hours when you don't have to be at school! Bowling is a great way to hang out with friends.

27. See Shakes in the City

These 45-minute Shakespeare performances take place in various Chicago parks in late July and early August.

28. Put on your own show in a Chicago park

Make Music Chicago has placed pianos in six Chicago parks through July 23. Find one and play it yourself!

29. Skate at a local skate park

There are no little kids here — skate parks are the dominion of tweens and teens throughout the city and suburbs.

30. Go camping

Teens are a lot better at setting up tents and starting campfires than little kids.

31. Learn a new dance at SummerDance Chicago

Visit Grant Park and learn a new dance from professional instructors in August.

32. Immerse yourself in a soundwalk

These guided listening sessions in Chicago parks can help teens relax and relieve stress.

33. Rock out at Lollapalooza

There's lots of awesome music going on at this annual music festival in Grant Park.

34. Bike the Drive

August 31 is the date when Lake Shore Drive is closed down so bikers can ride along the lakefront for the morning. Ride fast or slow for a morning of fun and/or exercise.

 
Laser tag is a fun activity for teens to do with friends. Photo courtesy of Scene75 in Romeoville

35. Play paintball or laser tag

Paintball is a fun outdoor adventure while laser tag can be great for rainy or hot days.

36. Find a new favorite extreme sport

From go karting to axe-throwing, there are lots of fun, unique sports for teens in Chicago.

37. Volunteer

We have a list of holiday volunteer opportunities, but there are also lots of outdoor opportunities in the summer, like volunteering at the forest preserves.

38. Hit some balls at a batting cage

Teens can get some batting practice in at higher speeds at these batting cages throughout the city and suburbs.

39. Shop at the mall or on Michigan Avenue

On nice days, enjoy outdoor settings like Oak Brook Center or Old Orchard, or save money at an outlet mall like Chicago Fashion Outlets or Chicago Premium Outlets.

40. Skate indoors at a roller rink or ice skating rink

Bring a little winter to summer with indoor skating rinks. Ice rinks are still open in many suburbs, and there's still roller rinks in some spots throughout Chicago.

41. Go to a drive-in movie

There's still a handful of these old-school attractions left in Illinois. They're a bit of a drive, but worth it!

42. Find something new to read

Visit a Chicago library or bookstore and check out a new author or genre.

43. Climb the walls

Find a Chicago climbing gym like Brooklyn Boulders, First ascent, or Vertical Endeavors to get some energy out. 

44. Be a contestant on The Great Big Game Show

This new venue at Oak Brook Center allows teens to challenge each other to classic game show bits like trivia and plinko.

45. Play disc golf

Throw frisbees at metal baskets to see who can make it in the fewest number of shots! There are courses in Jackson Park, Washington Park, Schiller Park, and Naperville.

 
Take some fun photos at lunch or dinner. Photo courtesy of the 2d Restaurant Taiwanese Fried Chicken

46. Take some selfies at 2d Restaurant

This Lakeview Asian restaurant is entirely black and white and makes you feel like you're stepping into a manga book! It also has tasty mochi donuts and fried chicken.

47. Find a carnival

Most Chicago weekends have at least one carnival going on in the city or suburbs. This is a great way to get on some rides without paying for a full day at an amusement park!

48. Take a teen yoga class

Studios like The Peace Studio in Lakeview, Five Keys Yoga in Roscoe Village and Buddha Belly Kids Yoga in West Town offer relaxing classes for teenagers.

49. Find a board game room or restaurant

Snakes and Lattes in Bucktown, Fair Game in Downers Grove, and Giorgi's Game Spot in Elmhurst all have gaming events for tweens and teens who want to meet up and play or learn something new.

50. Paint at a sip 'n paint place during daytime hours

Places like Pinot's Palette, Bottles and Bottegas, and Lill Street Art Center have one-off painting classes for teens. 

All photos courtesy of  Visit Illinois and the Illinois Tourism Board, unless otherwise indicated.