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 23-30, Join us for a one-week immersive experience of Evanston and Chicago that highlights just a small potion of the best the city and surrounding area has to offer. All events are optional, and are open to JVs and children.

Register below and join #experiencechicago2024 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 and purchase tickets individually where necessary.

Friday, August 23

August 23| 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Northwestern Lakefill

Kick-Off Bonfire Night

Join us for the Experience Chicago 2024 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 the BBQ on Friday for some S'mores out on the Lakefront Fire Pit!

Cost - Free

Register here!

Saturday, August 24

August 24| 11:00am - 2:00pm

Bucktown Arts Fest

Get to know one of the diverse and eclectic areas of Chicago while walking around the Bucktown Arts Festival. Celebration of the arts. A neighborhood tradition, all proceeds from the fest go to fund, develop and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods. Going strong for almost 40 years, what began as four artists showing their work in the park has grown into a community tradition that hosts an estimated 30,000 people each year.

Cost: The fest is free to the public - no gates and no donation request. Music, food, tours, kids tent.

Register here!

Sunday, August 25

August 25 | 10:00am - 2:00pm

Navy Pier Chicago River and Architecture Boat Tour

Come see one of Chicago's most well-known landmarks - Navy Pier and cruise the lake and river on a breathtaking architectural tour! Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. This Chicago landmark showcases parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more.

We will be enjoying a sightseeing cruise that boards at Navy Pier 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 25th, 10:45am*** tour; Meet at the vendor booth 15 minutes early. Link in registration.

Cost: $54 adults; $27 children + transportation

Register here!

Monday, August 26

August 26| 12:00pm

NU 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 and enjoy the day at the beach.

*** Please note*** You must have signed a waiver ahead of time through NU Athletics at the Henry Crown Athletics Center. Bring your wildcard!

Cost;Rental fees vary

Register here!

Tuesday, August 27

August 27| 10:30am - 2:30pm

Millenium Park, John Hancock Building, and Deep Dish

Come join us for a day downtown to explore Millenium Park, visit one of the highest buildings in the world, the John Hancock building for breathtaking views of Chicago, and then join the group for famous deep dish pizza!

Tickets for the John Hancock building need to be purchased ahead of time or at the lobby. We can all plan on meeting up at the sightseeing deck and coordinate.

Cost: $35 adults; $23 children + transportation (cost/ticket only includes the John Hancock building observation deck).

Register here!

Wednesday, August 28

August 28 | 11:00am - 2:00pm

Chicago Historical Museum, Explore Old Towne

Come join us to explore the Chicago Historical museum, filled with interesting and amazing information about Chicago! Group is free to explore the Old Towne neighborhood afterwards.

Cost: The museum is FREE for this day only - you must have your wildcard with you to show you are a student in Illinois.

Register here!

Thursday, August 29

August 29| 11:00am - 2:00pm

Titanic Exhibit, Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Mall

Come join us to explore the Titanic Exhibit at Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie. See the artifacts and recreations of the historic Titanic, then explore the beautiful Old Orchard shopping mall which includes stores, restaurants and extensive outdoor areas to sit and enjoy.

Cost: Student Ticket $24, Adult Ticket $33. Bring your wildcard

Register here!

Friday, August 30

August 30| 10:00am

Lincoln Park Zoo

We will meet at the Global Hub front desk at 8:50am. We plan to rideshare to Lincoln Park Zoo. Cost is expected to be around $20-$40 per car each way. Entrance to the zoo is free. Anyone wishing to drive their own car should expect to pay $25-$30 to park at the zoo and can meet up with the group outside the East Gate. There is free street parking if available.

Cost: Free Entrance to the zoo.

Register here!