While travel and activities with crowds are not an option right now, there are some safe activities in which you can engage in the Chicagoland area to get your summer fix. Here are five safe things to do in the Chicagoland area to both get out and avoid getting COVID-19.
COVID-19 has turned the country upside down. It nearly shut down the economy and wreaked havoc on the travel industry as a whole. It also forced people into quarantine for months on end. Most people are eager to get out at this point and we’ve got the remedy. Here’s how to stay safe and still get out an enjoy some of the Chicagoland area.
This is a guest post from Adrianne, from Put On Your Party Pants and Keep Them on Until 8pm. She writes about planning, surviving, and saving money on family travel. She also writes about gluten free dining options at each location. Her goal is to help people maximize their vacations while spending as little as possible
Five Safe Things to Do in the Chicagoland Area
Illinois is in the midst of a multi-phase plan to reopen the state. Each phase has a variety of methods and measures that are recommended or required along with a description of the types of business that can open or activities that are allowed.
Regardless of the phase, until this pesky COVID-19 thing has resolved, it is important to be safe and follow some basic measures.
Crowded places are not ideal. When in public, you should maintain social distance by staying six feet away from others whenever possible. Wear a face mask. Wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face.
If you feel safe venturing out, here are five safe places you can visit in the Chicagoland area.
The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum describes itself as a great outdoor museum of trees. It spans 1,700 acres and contains 222,000 live plants. This may sound like a real snoozefest to families with small children, but there is a lot for children to do.
The Morton Arboretum offers a Children’s Garden, which it labels a natural playground. There are several trails to explore throughout the property.
The highlight for most children is the Troll Hunt. There are six trolls to find, one as high as 30 feet tall and 60 feet long. One of the trolls can be spotted from a major highway. Your children may have seen it before ever entering Morton Arboretum. This will probably inspire them to search for the others.
At the time of this writing, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-17 most days. Children ages 1 and under are free. On Wednesdays, there is discounted admission of $10 for adults and $7 for children.
During the holidays, Illumination: Tree Lights at the Arboretum is a highlight. This event features a mile long path filled with trees with interactive lighting effects and music. Pro tip: You can often buy tickets for Illumination: Tree Lights at the Arboretum at a discount on Groupon.
COVID-19 Precautions in Place: The Morton Arboretum requires social distancing, and has indicated it will continue to take special measures to ensure it is maintained. At the time of this writing, all buildings are closed. Some outdoor restrooms are available throughout the property. Animals and sporting equipment are not allowed at this time.
Get Takeout or Dine Al Fresco
Miss your favorite restaurant? Consider a date night at home. Most restaurants are open for takeout, and a lot of them are offering free delivery.
You can get alcohol too! In a stroke of pure political genius, Governor Pritzker recently granted bars and restaurants permission to serve cocktails to go, so you are no longer limited to closed containers.
You can visit most restaurants in person as well. At the time of this writing, restaurants are slowly reopening for outdoor seating. You cannot eat inside a restaurant, but that option should become available shortly.
COVID-19 Precautions in Place: The idea of someone else handling your food may freak you out right now, but there are pretty stringent standards in effect to ensure safety.
If you are eating outdoors, tables must be 6 feet apart. Tables cannot be preset. People must request condiments because they cannot be left on the table. Dining surfaces are cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Regardless of whether you are dining at the restaurant or getting takeout, all employees have to pass a health screening to work. They must wear masks and gloves pursuant to food code regulations. They are also required to wash their hands frequently.
Visit a State Park
Some state parks have reopened, including the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail, Kankakee River State Park, and Moraine Hills State Park. At these and other state parks, you can engage in several outdoor activities. Some examples are hiking, fishing, boating, and riding your bicycle (and your horse in the unlikely event you have a horse and a way to transport it to a state park). Concession stands and campgrounds are open.
COVID-19 Precautions in Place: You must maintain social distance of at least six feet. You should not visit if you do not feel well. You must wear a mask around others. You must be with a group of 10 people or less.
Golfing
Golfing is back to the relief of the majority of the retired men throughout the Chicagoland suburbs. You can play in foursomes. Golf carts are allowed, as is outdoor dining. You can make a forecaddie find your golf ball (but not touch it) so as to avoid a Happy Gilmore incident. Driving ranges and putting greens may open at 50% capacity as of the time of this writing.
COVID-19 Precautions in Place: Tee times must be spread out by ten minutes. Only one person is allowed on each golf cart unless the riders are members of the same household. Golf courses must sanitize the carts after each use. You should maintain a social distance and wear a mask.
Visit a Library
Libraries no longer top most people’s list of day trip destinations (because of that whole internet thing), but the Chicagoland area has several massive public libraries with amazing architecture. A visit to the library has the added bonus of continued entertainment at home when you check something out. Some libraries are open as of the time of this writing, and the others are working toward reopening shortly.
COVID-19 Precautions in Place: Some libraries are offering contact-free holds on things you would like to pick up. Buildings that are open have capacity limits. You must wear a mask and social distance. At some libraries, items are quarantined for a period of time after they are returned. Extra sanitation measures are in place throughout the buildings.
Final Thoughts
COVID-19 may have killed your travel plans, but it doesn’t have to stop you from leaving the house. Visiting some safe places (other than your couch) will do wonders for your sanity. Be sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Get out there and enjoy Chicago in 2020.
This is a guest post from Adrianne, from Put On Your Party Pants and Keep Them on Until 8pm. She writes about planning, surviving, and saving money on family travel. She also writes about gluten free dining options at each location. Her goal is to help people maximize their vacations while spending as little as possible
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