Summer is finally upon us! I love Chicago summers more than anything, and there is so much to do in the city beyond Lollapalooza.

Millenium Park is a fantastic place in which to spend summer nights. With a free music and movie series held every summer, there is never a dull moment. The bands that perform for the music series are likely groups you’ve never heard of, but it’s the perfect setting for a picnic with friends and family. Movie screenings, which are free and held every Tuesday night at 6:30, and which project on a 40-foot LED screen, kick off on June 5 with “Hairspray.” The night starts with a screening of a “ChicagoMade Short,” a locally-produced short film to celebrate and showcase talented Chicagoans.

Pro tip: Get there early and bring picnic blankets, chairs, and food. People really go all-out and take up a lot of space, so if you want to spread out, get there 45 minutes early.

If you’re a morning person and want to get your beach bod in shape, the Park also offers a variety of work-out classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30 to 8:15 and Saturday mornings from 7:00 to 11:00, starting June 2 and going through September 1. All classes are 45 minutes and begin at 7:00 with pilates, followed by yoga at 8:00, strength training at 9:00, and ending with Zumba at 10:00. The first workout is the same day as the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, so workouts will be set to Gospel music. Information for all events held at Millenium Park is available on the City of Chicago’s events calendar.

Street festivals, another fantastic way to spend summer days, will be happening all over the city. Renegade Craft Fair is one of my favorite art festivals. Started in Chicago in 2003, it has since spread to cities around the country. The fair is held on Division in Wicker Park between Damen and Ashland on September 8 and 9 and at Gallagher Way, near Wrigley Field, on June 17.

Jewelry booths are in the spotlight at the fair, and I always get compliments on the pieces I’ve purchased there. A few years ago, I got a ring that looks like a fork (from a small stand that sells jewelry made out of silverware), a bracelet made from car recycled tires, and a locally screen-printed t-shirt.

The Randolph Street Market is another fantastic shopping destination. Located at 1341 W. Randolph St, this upscale flea market is filled with amazing antique finds and lots of food, too. This is actually a year-round festival, but it moves to an outdoor location once the weather gets warmer. The market opens at 10:00 and closes at 5:00 on June 23-24, July 28-29, August 25-26, and September 29-30. You will need a ticket to get in, but with a valid student ID, it is only $5!

There is nothing better than having a great meal outside with friends, and there is no shortage of great restaurants with outdoor seating in the city. With two locations in Logan Square and Ravenswood, Bang Bang Pie and Biscuit feels part-coffee shop, part-bakery, making the perfect summer brunch destination. The menu includes, as the name suggests, decadent slices of pie with different fillings on rotation, sandwiches made on the most amazing biscuits, and Stumptown iced coffee on tap.

My favorite things on the menu are chicken pot pie, the avocado biscuit sandwich, and a slice of the honey pie, but if you ask me, you can’t make a bad choice!

Parson’s Chicken and Fish in Logan Square has a great atmosphere and food to match. They do offer brunch, but fried chicken dinner is the main event here. The outdoor seating area is filled with picnic tables under red and white striped umbrellas, and it’s tons of fun. The wait can be long, but it’s worth it. And if you loved Bang Bang Pie, you’re in luck because you can get a slice after dinner.

If you’re in search of a classic burger, look no further than Small Cheval at 732 N. Milwaukee Ave. The simple menu consists of burgers, fries, and shakes. The patio has rows of communal tables. There is almost never a wait, making it a perfect last-minute destination.

Chicago is a great place to spend the summer, and there is so much to do here. This list barely scratches the surface of what you can do in the city. With a little creativity, and a lot of delicious meals, this summer will be the best one yet!