Easy parking in front of the museum. Light trail but doesn't go in a loop or you can but have to…read morecross the street and then walk on some unpaved brush. Or one can just back track.

This popular spot is usually a little busy for my tastes, but catch it at a quiet time and you can…read moreenjoy a placid hike down easy paths. There's a broad, charming bridge where kids (or adults) can throw sticks into the water on one side and watch them float to the other side. There are multiple dirt trails into the woods off the paved path that's frequently teeming with bicyclists. And there's a gravel path where people often walk dogs. Note that there are multiple entrances to Harms Woods. I like the northern one, but so do a lot of other people, apparently.

Enter near the Trailside Museum, in the parking lot on the south side of Chicago Avenue, then…read morefollow the trail south. There is a large field across Chicago Avenue, around the parking lot north of Chicago Avenue, but that area of Thatcher Woods is much less interesting. Go south instead. Along the path going south, I saw deer, ducks, chipmunks, and loads of birds. Local children have been building structures on the woods, so it is fun to grab some branches and add to those creations. The deer cane up so close, within 10 feet at times. Wear shoes that can get muddy. It was a bit soggy today, but the trails are definitely still passable.

Haven't been here in a while but I love this first preserve! Been here for a few events. It's a…read morelittle of country within the city limits. Great little place to get you in touch w nature. Check it out when you need to get away but stay close.

Beautiful walking trail. The trail is clean, well-paved and safe. Lots of people on it but not too…read morecrowded. Only one downfall for someone recouping from surgery, no places to seat for a break.

Easily my favorite trail. Growing up this used to be train tracks but since 2008 it's a trail…read more Convient to use however a woman was sexual assaulted recently so be careful. Awesome place for the neighborhood

Wonderful forest for everyday walk. Very clean and refreshing forest. Very nice natural trails and…read morelot of birds singing. Hope all humans whoever passing through forest helps to keep clean the forest.

What a gorgeous option for outdoor space, walking trails, and picnicking!…read more After a large lunch nearby, we decided to stop by the Catherine Chevalier Woods for a quick walk since it appeared to have walking trails. With a bit of hesitancy since there was not a lot of information online, we stopped by and were immensely pleased. First of all, there was a plethora of parking spaces, making this a very accessible location! Second, we were immediately inundated with wild life, from lounging and munching white-tail deer to chipping chipmunks to singing birds, we no longer felt like we were in the midst of the city! Third, there were many spaces for picnicking and gatherings of people! What a great place to come for an outdoor gathering! Finally, we discovered miles of maintained and gorgeous walking trails. People were sparsely populated on the trails providing a beautiful and remote hiking experience! If you are in the area and are in the need of a good walk in remote outdoor space, head over to Catherine Chevalier's Woods!

Went here after dinner at Clarke's Rogers Park Restaurant…read more Hartigan Park & Beach are located just a few blocks away from the restaurant *(Clarke's Rogers Park). My friend and I gathered washed up stones on the beach- which was fun, sank our feet into the sand, and watched the stars come out while my friend played an acoustic guitar and sang. It was a very peaceful experience. Hope to return in the near future again!

Forget North Avenue, this is the beach/park you should be paying attention to. One of the things I…read moremost loved about Chicago was the fact that, in every neighborhood, there were beautiful things to discover. So it is with Hartigan Park. Outside of Rogers Park residents, who knew that there was a green space with beach and playgrounds and (my favorite) community art in the form of beach chairs? Judging by the lack of crowds when I/we visited, not many. If you're one of those who are in the dark, change that. Look at these photos. Commit to taking a field trip and explore your city. There are so many pretty parts that await. May weather is coming.

08/31/25 - Last day of August absolutely spectacular weather the last two week. At 9:30am it's 68…read moredegrees, sunny w/ very low humidity . Get out and enjoy the last days of summer & Fall. So far productive done over 11,000 steps & it's only 12:00

This is one of my favourite trail for cycling in Chicago. It is long, you can get to Skokie…read moreLagoons, botanical garden and even farther to the north. Miles and miles of fun. Usually not crowded. I like it during the summertime.

The biggest hill in Chicago!…read more Took our 2yo to Cricket Hill for the first time to climb to the top. Fond memories of climbing to the top on windless days back in my youth when the boat was in Montrose Harbor.

I came here for the annual kite festival on the most perfect day. It was sunny and the temperature…read morewas comfortable with a nice cool breeze. I arrived around 11a and parking on Montrose was challenging. I think as you drive further along, there were more parking to be found. However, be prepared for travel to crawl all the way around. This is a great family affair with all kinds of kites flying in the air. There were tents set up for free kite making and kite decorating. There was also an area of food vendors and tents that were giving away free stuff. Thanks Whole Foods for the banana and coupons! Near the tents are a row of port-o-potty and the lines were never too long. Unfortunately, the water to wash your hands ran out early in the afternoon. It was fun to sit on the grassy knoll and watch all the kites fly. There was a huge seahorse kite in the middle section that's roped off. The kids really had a great time hanging out here.

Better alternative to the crowded trail along the lake. It has plenty of beauty of its own to see…read more North Shore Channel Trail goes from the Ravenswood neighborhood to Evanston, a long ways. Has lots of nature to come across. There's a few parks along it and other fun things. A lot less crowded on this trail and it's still got pretty good views along it. It's about 7 miles from the beginning to end, so that's a good way to work out. This begins at the intersection of Francisco and Lawrence in Ravenswood. First it goes north through River Park. There's trails on both sides of the channel most of the time. It goes all the way to Green Bay Road and McCormick Boulevard in Evanston. The trail is made of variously of asphalt, gravel, and crushed limestone. Has to be one of the less appreciated trails around here. It's not as popular as the one by the lake to be sure. There's plenty of parks along the way so these make for good places to stop for bicyclists, runners, or whoever.

How did I not know a paved, uncongested bike trail ran along the river from Lawrence to Golf where…read moreit turns to fine gravel and continues on... I don't know apparently to Wisconsin? OK, that might not be true but it at least hits Wilmette. Regardless, it's an absolutely wonderful surprise. You can pick it up on the north side of Lawrence between Sacramento and California. It takes you along the east side of the channel, through parks and under cross streets until almost Devon. There you jog northwest on Lincoln to re pick it up on the west side. You follow McCormick through Lincolnwood and Skokie with trees and sculpture and happily few people to keep you company. It's a great little ride. Maybe 10-12 miles round trip with all the twists and turns. I also love that I've seen none of the super serious jackwads with their full body spandex and forward triathlon bars going 35 miles an hour and looking at you like you're in the way if you ride casually. There are a few other cyclists and walkers. At the lots along McCormick folks clearly park and walk to the many benches to eat lunch on nice days. But even on a beautiful weekday in the low 80's with little wind I was alone with my thoughts and camera most of the time. There are port-a-potties at one of the lots near the midway point but once across Lincoln there aren't water fountains like there are in the city parks. If you really need hydration you can always jump off the path, back into real life just a few hundred yards away, and grab something to drink. Make sure you to remember to press the pedestrian button at intersections once out of the city or you'll never get across. Also even though it's a lot of fun don't accelerate through the downhill blind turns as you hit the under passes. There are lots of strollers and moms with kids in tow. Save those collisions for the d-bags on lakefront path.