My family came to visit me in Chicago this past week, and it was a great experience–I had another chance to look at Chicago from the viewpoint of a newcomer.

Before the weather became unbearable, we enjoyed many a cool evening outdoors, strolling around the city. Here are some photos from one such evening in Millenium Park.

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Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

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The bean!

The bean!

Chicago in the summer is amazing! Beat the heat and check it out at night. The Frank Gehry designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion is holding free outdoor events all summer long. Bring and picnic and some friends and be sure to check it out!

Here is a schedule of this season’s events at the Grant Park Music Festival:

7/1/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: 75th Season Birthday Concert
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

7/4/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Independence Day in Millennium Park
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

7/8/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Bruckner’s 4th
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

7/10/2009 – 7/11/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Pirates of Penzance and the Mikado
Fri, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sat, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

7/15/2009 – 7/18/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Dances and Fairytales
Wed, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sat, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

7/17/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Khachaturian’s Spartacus
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

7/22/2009 – 7/24/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Luna Negra Dance Theater and Luciana Souza
Wed, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Fri, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

7/25/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Opera Hits on Venetian Night
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
7/29/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Sibelius Symphony No. 1
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

7/31/2009 – 8/1/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: The Dream of Gerontius
Fri, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sat, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

8/12/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Italian Variations
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

8/14/2009 – 8/15/2009 Grant Park Music Festival: Beethoven’s 9th
Fri, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sat, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

-Ileana