Cubs and White Sox Home Openers
These crosstown rivals both have their home opening games in April, and Chicago always makes a big production of them. If you're lucky enough to get tickets, you'll be able to enjoy some of the biggest promotions, presentations and ceremonial first pitches of the season. If not, the neighborhoods around Chicago's two major league ballparks are always bustling with activity on home opener game days.
Wrigley Field
1060 W. Addison St.
Chicago, Illinois 60613
(312) 645-9511
chicago.cubs.mlb.com
US Cellular Field
333 W. 35th St.
Chicago, Illinois 60616
(312) 674-1000
chicago.whitesox.mlb.com
Grant Park Earth Day Festival
If you're looking for even more fresh spring air after a round of golf, see if April's Grant Park Earth Day Festival is going on when you're in town. Every year, hundreds of volunteers turn out to help beautify Grant Park, the greenest plot in downtown Chicago. It's also the place to get green living tips and connect with other conservation-minded people in the Chicago area.
Grant Park Earth Day Festival
410 South Michigan Ave., Suite 467
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 829-8015
grantparkconservancy.com
Buckingham Fountain
The Buckingham Fountain, one of the most recognizable Chicago landmarks and largest fountains in the world, is turned off throughout the frigid winter on the shores of Lake Michigan. But it officially opens each year in April, restoring its spectacular 20-minute water display to Chicago's shoreline. For the best view, see the fountain at night, when a choreographed color light display is reflected throughout the show.
Buckingham Fountain
S. Columbus Drive & E. Congress Parkway
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(773) 742-7529
ESPN Zone
April is a huge month in spectator sports---MLB games are just beginning, the NBA is closing in on the playoffs, the fight for the Stanley Cup is under way and the NFL is drafting for the new season. With so much sports coverage going on, take some time at Chicago's sports utopia, ESPN Zone. Enjoy drinks and dinner while watching ESPN on some of the biggest screens in town, then stop by the venue's action-packed arcade.
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 644-3776
espnzone.com
Lincoln Park Zoo
Although this free Chicago attraction is open year-round, the winter season tends to offer less-than-ideal strolling weather for visitors---and the same goes for many of the animals. With average high temperatures nearing 60 degrees in April, this is your best chance to catch the earliest pleasant day at the zoo.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark St.
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(312) 742-2000
lpzoo.com
About The Author
Josh Baum is a freelance writer with extensive experience in advertising and public relations. A graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Journalism, Baum writes targeted, optimized Web copy, print advertisements and broadcast scripts for advertising agencies, publishers and Web developers throughout the United States and Canada. He lives and works in Chicago, ll.
