Ernest Hemingway once wrote in his book, A Moveable Feast, “When the spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” People often assume that this quote is about Heminway’s time in Paris, while others assume he is reflecting on the happy times at his home outside of Chicago in the Spring. But in either case, half of the quote is missing that perhaps reveals the truth: “The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”

Now if the idea of spending a long weekend in Chicago worries you due to the crowds, we get that! According to Lynn Osmond, the President & CEO of Choose Chicago, “The hotels were packed, the streets were full, the attractions were busy. And this fall we’re actually doing very well. We’ll probably end the year somewhere around 82% of 2019!” Since more than 60 million tourists visited the city in 2019, that is a lot of people to have to wade through.

So, what do you do if you have the amazing sports, incredible architecture, or cultural attractions on your Chicago Bucket list? Or paraphrase Hemingway, if “the only thing that could spoil a day” in Chicago “was people”, how do you manage crowds during a long weekend in the Windy City? 

Well, perhaps the answer is as simple as to visit Chicago in Spring!

The best weather for a less crowded Chicago

Now depending on what is on your Chicago bucket list will most likely direct you on when you will want to visit. For example, if you want to go swimming in Lake Michigan then Summer might be your only option since only then the average lake temperature is 70°F. But with warm summer days comes crowds of people looking to explore the various indoor Chicago Tourist attractions as they look to escape the heat.

Of course, the best season to visit Chicago is the beginning of autumn, from early September to mid-October. But with football season, the leaves change colors, & tons of food Festivals, the city becomes packed with visitors.

But if you really don’t care about specific events or seasonal outdoor adventures, then visit Chicago in the Spring, especially from mid-April to late May. Now the weather may be a bit unstable. For example, with an average of 59°, one day it might be a cold windy day and the very next day might be a sunny 86 °F. Perhaps, it is this unreliability in the weather that keeps the crowds a bit thinned.

How do you experience the incredible architecture, cultural attractions, or food experiences the Windy City has to offer while avoiding the crowds? Perhaps the answer is as simple as to visit Chicago in Spring! #ChicaGOandKNOW #Chicago
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The Best Activities when you Visit Chicago in Spring

When adding items to your Adventure Activities & Experiences Bucket List, Chicago has a lot to offer. From amazing museums and cultural activities to unbelievable food and drinks, it’s hard not to find something for any type of traveler. Plus, most of the popular items are easy to tick off during a long weekend in Chicago in Spring. So let’s dive into some of the best Chicago Bucket list items you can find.

The Wonderful World of Chicago’s Sports

With spring comes baseball! There is something magical about watching either a White Sox or Cubs game in the Windy City. But for those with a Baseball Stadium Bucket List, Wrigley Field offers a magical step back in time. Of course, catching a pre-season game is ideal in the 100+ year old stadium, but if the team isn’t playing, don’t fret. Wrigley Field tours take place regardless of the weather & is ideal for those wanting to avoid the crowds. Just make sure you check the weather and dress accordingly because being so close to Lake Michigan can bring cold winds.

The Amazing Art Scenes in the Heart of America

From major art exhibits to local history, there are tons to explore and see when you visit Chicago in the spring. With so many different types of museums you are bound to find something that piques your interest. But with fewer crowds, you can easily tick off some of the best the Second City has to offer. Plus, with a Chicago City Pass, you can gain admission to five of the city’s top attractions with priority entry like The Art Institute of Chicago.

Top Art to See in Chicago:

• The Art Institute of Chicago: With 2 gigantic lions guarding the entrance, this amazing art museum has over 300,000 artworks in its permanent collection from some of the greatest artists from history.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: One of the largest museums in the world, this gallery is packed with art from local and international artists alike.
• The Field Museum: Okay, so this isn’t an Art Museum. But this museum of natural history museum has tons to see from around the world. Make sure you see SUE, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• Cloud Gate: Also known at the Bean, this outdoor sculpture was created by British artist Anish Kapoor between 2004 and 2006. On a perfect spring day in Chicago, it reflects the city’s famous skyline and those looking at it.
• The Crown Fountain: Nearby the Cloud Gate is an interactive video sculpture created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The fountain is two towers at each end of a reflecting pool that projects video images of Chicago citizens.
• The Hemingway Birthplace Museum: Located about 1 hour via the Chicago L from downtown Chicago in Oak Park, Illinois, the once childhood home of Ernest Hemingway is now a museum that explore the author’s life.

The Incredible Architecture of the Second City

Known around the world for its beautiful designs and soaring skyscrapers, Chicago is an architectural delight. Of course, you can get lost amid all the amazing towering buildings. But throughout the Second City, you will find ornate fountains, wide European style bridges, & even a few gothic churches. 

Now when you visit Chicago in the spring, you should take note of the weather before you head out. Due to a mix of rain & cold weather on some days, some of the sights can be lost amid the fog. But overall, you will find  that most of the popular locations are open with little to no crowds.

Top Architecture to See in Chicago:

• Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower: One of the most famous buildings in all Chicago is the Willis Tower. Originally known as the Sears Tower, this building held the title of World’s Tallest Building for 25 years. Now, visitors can take in views of the city while sitting in a glass cube that hangs off the side of the building some 1,353 feet in the air.
• The Chicago Tribune Wall: Perhaps one of the coolest buildings in Chicago is that of the Chicago Tribune. Along the Magnificent Mile, this building humbly stands amid its taller brothers. But what makes it unique are the 150 fragments of famous world architecture embedded in the outside wall. They have stones, bricks, and just random pieces from places like St. Peter’s Basilica, Pompeii, the Hagia Sophia, & even the White House.
• Buckingham Fountain: Located in the center of Grant Park is one of the largest fountains in the world. Inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, the fountain performs water shows and evening colored-light shows. Fair warning though, the fountain is only turned on from May to mid-October.
• The Holy Name Cathedral: For those who don’t know, most of Chicago was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago fire and a great rebuilding occurred, hence the name the Second City. Perhaps one of the beautiful results was building of the Gothic Revival style Cathedral in 1875. Though seemingly flawless, it does bear a unique scar of bullet marks from the murder of North Side Gang member Hymie Weiss, who was killed in front of the church.

Take a private tour with a Local Chicago Guide

Where to Stay when you visit Chicago in spring

Now Go to the Paris of the Prairie

Architect & urban designer, Daniel Burnham, originally called Chicago the “Paris of the Prairie” since he developed major changes to the city’s layout in a style that is similar to Paris. Perhaps that is why Hemingway felt so close yet so challenged by the people of both cities. But, if you too have issues with crowds then springtime might very well be the best time to visit Chicago.

But what do you think about visiting Chicago in the Spring? Which of the activities do you think are the best for you and your partner? Are there other things to do in Chicago over a long weekend that we forgot?

Let us know in the comments below and help someone else plan out their own long weekend getaway or bucket list adventure in Chicago today!

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Disclosure: This post, “How to Visit Chicago in Spring”, does contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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Big City life is overrated. There, I said it.

When I was growing up in a small town in Wyoming, moving to the big city was always something that sounded so appealing. It’s become mythologized, this idea of gathering up everything you own and starting anew in some glitzy metropolis where the horizon is full of towering skyscrapers and blinking lights.

In real life, though, a big city is not all it’s cracked up to. Starting anew actually means starting from the very bottom, and all those tall buildings are really only good for blocking out the stars.

If you really want to move to a big city, I’m not going to stop you. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in New Orleans. Though, this may be because New Orleans is a relatively small city that is easy to explore by foot like Salzburg. But don’t be fooled, a really big city is not all it’s cracked up to be. Here are some uncomfortable truths to keep in mind before you make a decision you could end up regretting.

It’s overpriced in a big city

Everything’s bigger in a big city. The streets. The buildings. The crowds. And, oh yeah, the costs.

Even a small but beautiful piece of New York, Los Angeles, or Toronto real estate can eat up a big chunk of change, and that’s not even taking into account additional expenses like utility bills, groceries, and transportation. In NYC, the cost of housing is a jaw-dropping 369% higher than the national average. In LA, a median-priced home costs a whopping $600,000. And in Toronto, the average cost of living is more than $6000 more expensive than the annual earnings of a full-time employee on minimum wage.

Some people dream of escaping small town life to move to the big city. But Big City life can be overrated! Discover a few reasons why you shouldn't move to a Big City! #BigCityLife #SmallTownGirl #lifeinthebigcity
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It’s not better connected in a big city

There’s also the fact that being in a big city no longer affords the extra connections it once did. Thanks to cheap high-speed internet rolling out in the countryside and more rural areas, it’s easier than ever to build a network online and supercharge your career. 

Sure, big newspapers will write about how working remotely harms productivity and damages your psychology, but that’s mostly naysaying. The reality is that remote work gives you more time and freedom than a regular employer ever would.

It’s unclean in a big city

Here’s the thing about living in the city. When you put that many people, that many businesses, and that many automobiles in one place, you’re gonna be left with a whole lot of waste. And that means pollution.

With over 40% of the American population regularly exposed to unhealthy air and one in every eight deaths worldwide being caused in part by air pollution, that’s nothing to sneeze at. Studies have shown that air quality improves the farther you move into more rural areas, meaning that people who don’t live in cities not only enjoy cleaner lives, but longer and healthier ones as well.

It’s dangerous in a big city

There may be a number of reasons to move to the city. Job opportunities. School. Being closer to loved ones. But one thing no one has ever moved to the city for is safety. In fact, the worst thing about city life arguably isn’t how expensive or dirty it is, but how perilous it is.

Crime rates are much higher in cities than in smaller towns, suburbs, or rural areas. It’s simple math. More people plus a high cost of living plus intense pressure minus adequate protection equals increased crime. To wit, the FBI has ranked such cities as St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, and Memphis among the most dangerous places in the U.S. And don’t think the freaks only come out at night. A recent study found that city crime is actually more likely to occur during the day, meaning you’re not even safe in broad daylight.

So what do you think about big city life? Have you ever wanted to move to a big city? What are some reasons that have stopped you from packing up and moving? Let us know in the comments below!

About Our Guest Poster:

Darcee Snider Gamble is a Wyoming native, who appreciates the work ethic and strong values that growing up in the Cowboy State afforded her. No matter where life takes her, she will always be a proud Wyomingite. New Orleans has been a part of Darcee for a long time. But now she is excited to now be a part of New Orleans. She believes there is truly nowhere else like the Big Easy and the experiences it affords its citizens; she can’t wait to share them with the family and friends that are sure to visit.  Passion for literature, food, history, adventure and music are reasons why living in New Orleans is such an important part of Darcee’s story. She writes each chapter by enjoying the wonders of the Carousel Bar, exploring the WWII Museum, walking the streets of Uptown, navigating the hidden gems of the French Quarter and eating a Po-Boy at Mahony’s.

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The post Why You Shouldn’t Move to a Big City appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Everyone should have a bucket list and on that list there should be some amazing holiday destinations you’d love to visit. But how do you decide what locations will make your list? The world has so much to offer – you’ve got to choose your favourites, based on what you love doing. To help, we’ve picked five destinations we don’t think you’ll be expecting. Hopefully, some will make your bucket list. Check them out:

• Isles of Scilly

An archipelago off the Cornish coast, in southwest England, the Isles of Scilly are covered in beautiful heathland, and lined with sandy beaches. 2,200 people are lucky enough to call this place home on the five inhabited islands – St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher and St. Agnes. But there are countless uninhabited ones to explore.

Whatever the season, there are wildlife and habitats flourishing. You can go on several different boat excursions to see as much as possible. Out on the water, it’s more than likely you’ll be watched by the many curious eyes of Atlantic grey seals (who is watching who?), see puffins and maybe even dolphins, according to the official tourist board. It’s a little spot of the world relatively untouched by tourism.

• Japan

When you think of Japan, skiing probably isn’t your first thought. But there are some popular spots including Niseko, Hakuba and Nagano. But the place worth adding to your bucket list is Appi. It’s only got 21 trails and a few of the mod-cons you’d expect in a fancy ski resort. But, if you’re looking for a foreign experience, seasoned travellers say it’s the place to go. If you’re a keen skier, head there before everyone realises how good the snow is.

Reading the 5 unexpected holiday destinations that should be on your Bucket List!
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• Chicago

When it comes to US cities, New York is probably on more people’s bucket list than Chicago. But if you love great food, craft beer, a spectacular skyline, impressive shopping, live music and theatre performances, galleries, and much more, you should consider visiting Chicago.

Something you probably didn’t know about Chicago is it’s also a beach vacation. In the summer, the lakefront’s 26 sandy beaches are buzzing. In these epic reasons to visit the city, they suggest dipping your toes into the cool blue waters of Lake Michigan, kicking back with a cool beverage at Montrose Beach, and playing volleyball at lively North Avenue Beach. If you’ve got kids, let them run wild at 31st Street Beach or soak up the sun at peaceful 63rd Street Beach.

• Istanbul

City breaks offer great holiday opportunities – few of which are more impressive than the chance to see two continents in one city in Istanbul. Visiting Turkey’s largest city allows you to visit Europe and Asia in one trip. But in addition to that claim, you get to have a traditional Turkish bath, visit the Blue Mosque or take a ride on the Bosphorus strait.

• Tristan da Cunha

Last up, we’ve got a destination that’s sure to give you some bragging rights. As the world’s most remote destination, it can only be reached by a week-long boat trip from South Africa. Or, if you’re lucky, a couple of cruise ships pass by every year.

Unsurprisingly, there’s pretty much no tourism infrastructure – including no hotels, so you’ll have to fully immerse yourself in local life. But, as this video of a day on the island will show you, meeting the locals is one of the best things about visiting.

Where destinations do you hope to visit? Share your bucket list places with us.

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This was a guest post written by Isabel Leong from belaroundtheworld.com 

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