Best Places to Read Outside in Chicago This Summer
By Allison Yates
Forget street festivals and rooftop bars—the best thing about Chicago in the summer? Reading outside.
[Related: Ultimate Guide to Chicago’s Literary Scene: Bookstores, Clubs, & Events]
Chicago is no stranger to green spaces—after all, Jerry Sullivan did say that “we can enjoy the riches of life in one of the world’s great metropolises and still connect ourselves to the natural world”—and whether your go-to urban nature oasis is a community garden, your favorite outdoor brewery, or our stunning Lakefront Trail, you’ll find plenty of nature beds and comfy nooks and crannies to soak up the story.
Here are the best places to read outside in Chicago this summer according to Chicago book club organizers.
[Related: Best Places to Read in Chicago This Winter]
Washington Square Park
Neighborhood: Near North
Favorite of: Kaylen Ralph, Founder & Curator of Ladies Who Lit
Kaylen Ralph, Founder & Curator of Ladies Who Lit. Courtesy of Kaylen Ralph.
“Washington Square Park, on a bench, with a sandwich from Hendrickx Bakery. My favorite is the salami and butter. Pairs perfectly with people watching and page turning on a sunny day. I have no science to support this, but the park’s fountain feature makes that little slice of the city feel 10 degrees cooler.”
Concrete Steps at Montrose Beach
Neighborhood: Uptown
Favorite of: Betsy Tomszak, host of the podcast Books with Betsy and Read & Run Chicago facilitator
“My favorite place to read outside in Chicago is the concrete steps at Montrose beach. This area is perfect for a true indoor city person like me because you get to avoid sand while being right by the water and an absolutely unparalleled view of our city’s amazing skyline. Bonus: there is almost always a paleta man walking his cart around during the summer.”
Betsy Tomszak reading at the concrete steps at Montrose Beach. Courtesy of Betsy Tomszak.
Find Betsy’s podcast Books with Betsy on all the podcast platforms. Join her at Off Color Book Club on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm this summer at their Mousetrap Taproom.
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Favorite of: Iman Kujawinski, Founder of Chicago's Book & Social Club
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park. Courtesy of Iman Kujawinski, Founder of Chicago's Book & Social Club.
Iman Kujawinski, Founder of Chicago's Book & Social Club. Courtesy of Iman Kujawinski.
“The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is such a gem! It’s quiet, shady, and feels totally tucked away — plus, there are plenty of stone ledges and benches to settle in with a book for as long as you want.”
Promontory Point
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Favorite of: Allison Yates, founder of Read & Run Chicago and Read & Run Tours
“Promontory Point not only has one of the most beautiful views of the Chicago skyline, but it’s one of the most accessible places to jump in the water. As long as you stick to the north side of the field house, the water is usually shallow. I love to grab and book and some picnic supplies and spend hours here reading, eavesdropping on fascinating conversations from University of Chicago faculty (true story!), and occasionally cooling off in the water. It’s a dreamy location for book lovers to soak up Chicago summer.”
Waterfront Cafe in Edgewater
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Favorite of: Courtney Ruhland, Read & Run Chicago guide and co-lead of the Nasty Women Book Club: Chicago Edition
“Waterfront Cafe in Edgewater is my go-to spot for summer reading. Great food, delicious drinks, and the best lakefront views. You’ll find me here on Summer Fridays with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Cheers to summer in Chicago! ”
Courtney Ruhland reading at Waterfront Cafe in Edgewater. Courtesy of Courtney Ruhland, Read & Run Chicago guide and co-lead of the Nasty Women Book Club: Chicago Edition.
Wild Mile Chicago
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Favorite of: Allison Yates, founder of Read & Run Chicago and Read & Run Tours
Allison reading On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi at Wild Mile.
“People throw out the term “hidden gem” way too often, but this truly is: most people don’t even know this floating garden exists in the middle of the city. I love to walk down the wood planks in high summer and hear the bugs and the birds and the breeze fluttering the wildflowers, and occasionally maybe even see some wildlife like beavers or turtles. It’s the perfect spot for a lunch break reading session or escape from the noise, if only temporarily.”
The Plant
Neighborhood: Back of the Yards
Favorite of: Allison Yates, founder of Read & Run Chicago and Read & Run Tours
Guide John Foley presenting to Read & Run Chicago at The Plant in Back of the Yards in September 2024.
“A repurposed industrial meatpacking facility, the Plant is one of the most interesting buildings I’ve ever seen in Chicago. Besides the great indoor brewery, Packinghouse Museum, and events like yoga, there are often farmers markets and other vendors around the garden you can visit. Bring a book, grab a locally-sourced drink or bite, and enjoy the native plants in and around this retrofitted building.”
See upcoming events at The Plant here.