Spring is the perfect time to visit Chicago. The city is reawakening after the winter, and some of Chicago’s most popular attractions are reopening for business. Here are some our picks:

• Chicago History Museum Walking Tours runs April through October. The History Museum offers three different walking tours that each run about two hours. Visitors can choose from the following tours: Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park.
• Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise takes visitors through the Chicago River and major architectural landmarks along the way. The cruise runs past the East Bank Club, the Sears Tower, and the Old Post Office Building. A souvenir map and architectural is also included with the cruise.
• Navvy Pier is a must-see Chicago attraction that was built in 1916. Starting in May, visitors can play miniature golf, ride to the top of the Navy Pier Light House, hop on the Navy Pier Carousel, and fly through the air on the Navy Pier Wave Swinger.

What’s your favorite springtime activity in Chicago? Leave a comment and let us know!

If you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, then you should be sure to pack a good map so you can find your way around the city. We’ve put together a map that includes all of the attractions that are part of the Go Chicago Card so you can get the most out of your vacation. Download our Chicago map and start planning your trip to the Windy City!

The Chicago Latino Film Festival returns to the Windy City April 4th through the 16th.

Celebrating the best new films from Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the United States, the festival will open with a showing of The Field of Stars (El Prado de las Estrellas) and will close with Angel.  The festival is coordinated and supported by the Chicago Latino Cinema, who also provide year-round film screenings, theatrical productions, art exhibits, comedy shows, and lectures.

Tickets for specific films are available beforehand or at the door, as well as passes for multiple films.

Ring in this Spring with a performance of “As American as Apple Pie” by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus! Performances run on Friday, April 4 at 8 pm and Saturday, April 5 at 3 and 8 pm.

Founded in 1983, the Chorus has been a staple of the Chicago performing arts community, performing everything from revues to full-length musicals. They are a proud member of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, as well as regular performers of the National Anthem at Cubs’ games.

So, grab yourself some tickets and see these amazing 150 singers in action!

While you’re in the Windy City, explore the city’s best shopping destinations with a guided neighborhood shopping tour! You’ll not only learn about the places that only locals know about, but you’ll get tons of helpful shopping tips from your guide.

Featured on Daily Candy, Chicago Traveler, and in the Chicago Tribune, this tour is a favorite activity for groups of friends ready to spruce up their wardrobes for spring. There are tours to suit every style, including neighborhood tours, happy hours (complete with stops for cocktails and snacks!), designer tours, and special tours for charitable organizations, where a portion of the tour cost will be donated to the charity of choice.

These tours do a great service in boosting awareness for local designers and businesses by making them known to shoppers’ radars. Tourists can get a great overview of the fashion community of Chicago, while locals can discover shops they never knew existed.

So, here’s your chance to pick up a great new staple for your spring wardrobe, all while getting to know the great city of Chicago!

Running May 3-10 in Chicago, the 2008 Children’s Humanities Festival promises fun for the entire family. This week long family arts festival covers five different Chicago neighborhoods and features live performances to inspire and entertain kids of all ages. The roster of performers includes Mirah and Spectratone International performing “Share This Place” (a multimedia video performance with live music), Lelavision (performing in English & Spanish), Teatro di Piazza D’Occasione (presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Botanic Garden, picture above).

The highlight of the festival will the world premiere of José Cruz González’s new play, The Blue House, which is about a 13 year old girl discovering the secrets of Chicago’s history. The performance opens on April 5 and runs through May 3. While in Chicago, you might also take the kids to Chicago Children’s Museum, Brookfield Zoo, and Navy Pier.

If you need some stunning new decor to spruce up for place for spring, look no further than the International Village Poster Fair and the Chicago Cultural Center!

Over 25 dealers will be exhibiting more than 10,000 posters, dating from the 1890s. From Art Nouveau Belle Epoque images, Art Deco, and Modernist posters, there’s something due to draw your attention. Subjects of the works range from WWI and WWII images, food, liquor, transportation, and classic cinematic wonders.

The festival runs from March 28-30th and $15 covers admission for the whole weekend, so head on over!

Chicago wine lovers are in for a treat when Wine Enthusiast’s Toast of the Town 2008 breezes into the Windy City on Thursday, May 1. For one night only, Chicago’s Field Museum hosts a spectacular evening of wine and entertainment. The tasting is being touted as “America’s premier wine tasting event” and will feature selections from several of Chicago’s top restaurants. Guests will be able to sample over 500 wines, spirits, and signature dishes. Cheers!

For more on wining and dining in Chicago, check out these posts:
Brunch in Chicago
New Restaurant Openings in Chicago
Chicago Restaurant Week

Now that Spring’s just around in the corner in the Windy City, it’s time to get out and explore all the great seasonal attractions that the city has to offer!

For some exercise and a little history lesson, check out Chicago Historical Museum Walking Tours. There’s tours of the Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park starting in April. There’s also the Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural River Cruise, operating on weekends in April and May, where you’ll learn about the city’s comeback after the Great Fire of 1871 to be a modern architectural hotspot.

Come May, you’ll also be able to take advantage of all the amazing attractions that Navy Pier boasts of! There’s a ferris wheel, miniature golf, a light tower, and the classic Wave Swinger ride.

Happy Spring!

Matt B over at The Chicago Traveler clued us into a new development in Chicago’s public transportation system: senior citizens with a Reduced Fare Card can ride Chicago’s CTA, Meta, and Pace systems for free. This is good news for travelers over the age of 65!