Experience Chicago

Each year, the Office of Student Life organizes a week of local activities during the week of KWEST, designed to help our students and JVs get to know their peers while experiencing the Chicagoland area. Experience Chicago is a fantastic way to start your Kellogg experience. From August 17-22, join us for a one-week immersive experience of Evanston and Chicago that highlights just a small portion of the best the city and the surrounding area has to offer. All events are optional and are open to JVs and children. The kick-off begins right on the last evening of CIM!

Register below and join #experiencechicago2025 on Slack for updates!

Please be advised that event times are subject to change due to weather, and cancellation is possible. The Office of Student Life will keep registered attendees updated if any changes are made to the event schedule. Student Life cannot refund you for any tickets purchased for any events since they are purchased individually outside of Kellogg. Please make sure you register through CampusGroups. Most events are meetups, and students are encouraged to communicate rideshare and meeting spots with peers.

Sunday , August 17

August 17| 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Northwestern Lakefill

Kick-Off Bonfire Night

Join us for the Experience Chicago 2025 Kick-Off Bonfire Event! This will be a great way to get to know some fellow students and families who will also be partaking in Experience Chicago. Come join us after CIM on Sunday for some S'mores out on the Lakefront Fire Pit!

Cost - Free

Register here!

Monday, August 18

August 18| 7:00pm - 10:30pm

Chicago Cubs NIGHT Baseball Game - Wrigley Field

Come join us to enjoy a favorite Chicago pastime cheering on our hometown league, the Cubs! Whether you have ever attended a baseball game or not - this is a must in Chicago!

Cost: *** Please note*** Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time. Purchase tickets for 7:05 pm game. Register and pay for your ticket In CampusGroups, and the e-ticket will be emailed to you. Limited tickets available, two tickets limit per student.

Purchase tickets through CampusGroups.

Register here!

Tuesday, August 19

August 19 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Chicago Architecture River Tour

Cruise the Chicago river on a breathtaking architectural tour! Boarding on the Magnificent Mile, see Chicago from the best views, listen to its history and admire the world renowned architecture of one of the biggest cities. You will be wowed!

We will be enjoying a sightseeing cruise that boards at Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) and goes on a beautiful scenic architectural boat cruise down the Chicago river in downtown Chicago.

***Tickets are needed!*** Please register for the Shoreline Sightseeing tour for *** August 19th, 1:30pm*** tour; Meet at the vendor booth 15 minutes early. Link in registration.

Cost: $40.95 adults; $26.95 children + transportation. Purchase tickets on the Shoreline website but register on CampusGroups

Register here!

Wednesday, August 20

August 20| 10:30am

Field Museum Free Entrance Day

Bring your wildcard and a photo ID or proof of residency in Illinois to enjoy a free day at the Field Museum near Chicago's lakefront and the museum campus. The Field Museum is a natural history museum in Chicago,  and is one of the largest such museums in the world. The museum is popular for the size and quality of its educational and scientific programs, and its extensive scientific specimen and artifact collections.

Cost: Free *** Bring your Wildcard

Register here!

Thursday, August 21

August 21| 10:30am, closes at 4pm

The Chicago Historical Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo, Free Entrances

Come join us to explore the Chicago Historical museum, filled with interesting and amazing information about Chicago! Group can gather to explore the Old Towne neighborhood afterwards and Lincoln Park Zoo down the street which is also free.

*** Please note*** The museum is FREE for this day only - you must have your wildcard with you to show you are a student in Illinois. The Lincoln Park Zoo has free admission every day all year long.

Cost: Museum is free on this day only

Register here!

Friday, August 22

August 22 | 11:00am - 2:00pm

Northwestern Sailing Center, Beach Day

Come join in for a beach day at the NU Sailing center, just south of the pond, where students can rent paddle boards

*** Please note *** You must have signed a waiver ahead of time through NU Athletics at the Henry Crown Athletics

Cost: Rental fees vary

Register here!