50 things to do before summer ends

#3 Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park

1. Check out the Cedar Hotel
Shaded by big trees, this new bar’s patio is an undeniably prime piece of summer real estate (fratty crowd notwithstanding). Now that it’s in the hands of the folks behind Rino and Manor, the place is a little slicker and somewhat clubbier—but that patio has remained exactly the same. Expert tip A table right along the sidewalk may seem prime, but beware: There are plenty of people who will beg for your money in this ’hood and plenty of toy poodles who’ll piss on your feet. 1112 N State St (312-944-1112).—David Tamarkin

2. Get a cheap thrill before it’s gone
Fancy amusement parks like Six Flags get kids’ motors running these days but Kiddieland still offers loads of retro charm. Ride the Little Dipper roller coaster and the 1939 Roto Whip one more time before the 81-year-old treasure closes its doors forever on September 27. $17–$23. 8400 W North Ave, Melrose Park (708-343-8000).—Laura Baginski

3. Hear a bittersweet symphony
Classical heads call it the curse of the ninth—Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Mahler and Dvorák all kicked the bucket before completely penning symphony number ten. So the Grant Park Music Festival wraps up in a befitting way—with Mahler’s Ninth (Aug 7–8) and Beethoven’s Ninth (Aug 13–15). Not enough dramatic doom? Catch Elgar’s death-themed The Dream of Gerontius (Fri 31–Sun 2). Expert tip Pick up a picnic and wine at Pastoral (53 E Lake St, 312-658-1250) before the show. Free. Millennium Park, Michigan Ave between Monroe and Randolph Sts (312-742-7647).—Brent DiCrescenzo

4. Get jet set
At the Air and Water Show, you’ll gasp as the Air Force Thunderbirds fly wing-to-wing at a zillion miles per hour, then let out a screech as the Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team somersaults to the ground. Expert tip Avoid the great unwashed from the comfort of Lake Point Tower’s panoramic restaurant, Cite (505 N Lake Shore Dr, 312-644-4050). Make your reservation for after 3pm for the daily flyover. Aug 15, 16, 10am–4pm; free. North Avenue Beach, 1600 N Lake Shore Dr (explorechicago.org).—Madeline Nusser

5. Raise a glass on Hopleaf’s patio
We know—it’s incredibly crowded in here, and the heat of August and September will only make it worse. But if you can carve out a space for yourself on the small patio, there’s no better place to drink a beer and no better beer list to drink from. 5148 N Clark St (773-334-9851).—David Tamarkin

6. Shake a tail feather
Free dance lessons, followed by dancing to a live band in a gorgeous sunken garden? Yep, the SummerDance program is one of the reasons we live here. Through Aug 23. Thu, Fri, Sat 6–9:30pm; Sun 4–7pm; free. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S Michigan Ave.—Laura Baginski

7. Lead an after-work rooftop crawl
The downtown rooftop and terrace scene has exploded over the last two years. Hit them all (from north to south) in one night, and you’ll be (1) an authority on which is the finest, (2) most likely wasted and (3) most certainly broke. Expert tip Go in this order: ROOF (201 N State St, 312-239-9501) because it’s a madhouse; then to Terrace at Trump (401 N Wabash Ave, 312-588-8030) because it closes earliest; then The Terrace at the Conrad (521 N Rush St, 312-645-1500); followed by Vertigo (660 N State St, 312-202-6060); and, finally, C-View (166 E Superior St, 312-523-0923) because it isn’t exactly tame either—that’s why you’re saving it for last. —Julia Kramer

8. Hone your crafts
Just when you thought the world couldn’t hold more cutesy tie-clips, recycled totes and silk-screened deer on tees, Renegade Craft Fair returns. Sept 12, 13, 11am–7pm; free. Division St between Damen Ave and Hermitage St.—Madeline Nusser

9. Get the latest Vedder report
Grunge never died, it only grew soul patches. So dust off those cargo shorts and Dr. Martens for the Pearl Jam show. Aug 23, $66. United Center, 1901 W Madison St (800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com).—Brent DiCrescenzo

10. Eat at XOCO
Slated for an August opening, Rick Bayless’s tiny new joint is all about Mexico City–style street food—think overstuffed tortas and flaky empanadas, made-from-scratch hot chocolate and fresh churros. Expert tip Come here late-night, after a few drinks. Think of the churros soaking up all that alcohol as a preemptive hangover remedy. 449 N Clark St (no phone).—David Tamarkin

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