The Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest free festival of its kind, with acrobatics in the skies over the city’s beautiful lakefront. North Avenue Beach is center stage for the event, August 14 and 15th. 

In addition to specific neighborhoods, CNT also offers varied thematic tours. See architecturally stunning final resting places of the rich, famous and infamous with ‘Great Cemeteries of Chicago’. A history buff’s dream, the ‘Land of Lincoln’ tour highlights area Lincoln sites and memorabilia!

Bethany Pickens leads an all star band in a retrospective honoring jazz innovator, composer and pianist Mary Lou Williams, who arranged for Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines and others. Amina Claudine Myers’ special commission salutes the jazz pioneer’s 100th birthday.

Visitors have an opportunity to tour the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain’s underground pump works and learn more about the monument. Julia Bachrach, Chicago Park District historian, leads these 30-minute tours. All proceeds benefit the restoration of Buckingham Fountain.

Explore Chicago with new interactive maps that detail over 2,000 new attractions, events and tours in every neighborhood. These printable guides are perfect for bringing along on any exploration of Chicago. Enjoy insightful essays, insider tips and videos and other multimedia content.