Before summer slowly drifts away and we shift our focus to pumpkins and chunky sweaters, let’s make the most of our beloved summer. Take advantage of the remaining sunny days with our end of summer Chicago bucket list.

Summertime is arguably Chicago’s best season, complete with neighborhood festivals, sunny skies and an extreme desire for cool, tasty treats. To help you beat the heat, we’ve put together a list of some of Chicago’s essential ice cream shops. In no particular order, here are 10 of the city’s most revered favorites:

Summertime is winding down, but that doesn’t mean patio season has to end.

In fact, fall is our absolute favorite season to enjoy the outdoors in. The crisp, cool air and the smell of burning leaves…

And it’s this time of year when you’ll find some of the best deals since furniture starts going on sale.

Discover some of our favorite patio essentials that will take you from the final weeks of summer well into autumn. Whether you’re grilling out with the neighbors or reading a book solo — these patio picks will leave you relaxed and refreshed.

With only a month left of summer, everyone wants to spend every second they can outdoors. Here are some fun ‘indoor’ activities you can adapt to the outdoors to end your summer with a bang.

If you’re lucky enough to have an expansive backyard, live down the road from a nature preserve, or spend your summers at a beach house, then this advice is not for you. In fact, the only words of wisdom I have for you are to enjoy every bit of our short summer in your heavenly outdoors space (slathered in SPF, of course).

But if you are like many Chicagoans who have to squeeze one metal folder chair on a postage-stamp balcony to get some air or if your modest yard is covered in concrete or organic veggie beds, then this is your post and I am your people.

If you’re one of the million or so parents in the Chicago area like myself, you’ve been so busy shuttling kids to camps and activities that you can barely comprehend we are already halfway through the school break and great weather. Rest easy! There’s still plenty of time and many places to take your children to make the most of the warm-weather months.

Why not start by swinging by a few neighborhood festivals, where bouncy houses, salty corn on the cob, face painting and maybe a beer tent will keep everyone in the family happy for a few hours? Here are a few family-friendly fests you can’t miss in the last half of summer.

Every summer has a story, and thanks to social media your adventure is completely shareable. Whether you’re just looking for something beyond the ordinary to do or looking to never forget your stunning surroundings, these postcard-worthy hot spots around Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan are sure to pack a punch on your Instagram feed.

In July and August, we’re headed to Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana for our second annual @properties Home for the Summer tour. While we’re excited to give you a sneak peek of some of the beautiful properties we have to offer in these resort home communities, we’re also excited to spend some time in the sun.

—

The mention of a farmers’ market conjures images of freshly picked produce, handmade jams and jellies, and locally-sourced meats and cheeses — all at your fingertips on a sunny day.

In Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan, it also brings to mind food trucks, artisans, live music, and weekly yoga. From the taste of homegrown flavor to enjoying those sunny summer days, farmers’ markets have a lot to offer for early risers and midday visitors alike.

Before those dog day of summer, find your way to any (or all!) of these hand-picked local farmers’ markets:

There’s nothing quite like summertime in Chicago. Street fests. Rooftops & beer gardens. Movies in the Park. The beach. The list goes on and on.

With that in mind, we’ve put together 30 of the best things to do in Chicago this summer. Be sure to let us know if there are any Chicago summer staples that we missed!

With endless festivals to experience, outdoor patios to discover, beaches to explore and museums to visit, summertime in Chicago is hard to beat. To help you make the most of the warm weather and sunshine, we’ve rounded up 10 ways to have the best summer yet.