Hilal Tamrat doesn’t work at the Shedd Aquarium, but she has swum in the building’s Caribbean Reef tank.
Last year, the Edgewater resident, 29, signed up for the Shedd’s underwater photography class, which culminated with a scuba diving session among the 70 species of fish that live in the 90,000-gallon tank. Besides focusing on camera techniques, students got a briefing from the aquarium’s dive safety officer on how to deal with curious fish that are used to being fed by divers. They also learned how to handle some of the tank’s scarier residents, which include sharp-toothed moral eels and hammerhead sharks.
“It was awesome,” Tamrat said. “I was taking pictures of the sharks and they didn’t even flinch.”
Tamrat’s unusual underwater experience started even earlier last year when she decided she wanted to learn how to scuba dive. She discovered Chicago’s Underwater Safaris in Lakeview, a shop that claims to be the city’s only Professional Association of Divers Instructors center with an in-store pool, and took lessons from a certified instructor. While it wasn’t the coral reefs of Mexico, she did learn the basics from the shop at 2950 N. Lincoln Ave.
If the idea of deep-sea diving lessons in the heart of the Midwest makes you do a double-take, listen up: There are tons of options for getting wet and wild in the city this summer. From sailing sessions and jet ski rentals to old favorites like Buckingham Fountain and the Chicago architectural tour, RedEye rounded up 12 cool ways to make a splash this summer.
Chicago Sailing Basic Sailing 101
Dock B at Belmont Harbor North, 3256 N. Recreation Drive
If you want to try sailing, this class will teach you everything you need to get started. Whether you take the four-day weekend or five-day weekday option, you’ll get 15 hours of training on Lake Michigan learning rope work, knots, docking, sail handling, safety procedures and boating rules. Classes are limited to four people, so you’ll be sure to get all the personal attention you need. Most people who take the class are approved to rent boats on their own.
Cost: $445 weekdays, $525 weekends
More info: 773-871-7245; chicagosailing.com
Buckingham Fountain
500 S. Lake Shore Drive
You’ve seen it before, but after nearly a year of renovations as part of a $25 million project, the iconic fountain is worth taking a date to again. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, Buckingham Fountain was built in 1927 and renovation work is due to continue at the end of the summer through spring of 2010. Every hour on the hour, you can catch the 20-minute water display, with jets shooting 150 feet in the air. From dusk to 10 p.m., the performance also features a light and music show. Smooching as the jets start firing might be a cliche, but it’s a really romantic one.
Cost: Free More info: 312-742-7529; chicagoparkdistrict.com
63rd Street Beach House
63rd Street and Lake Shore Drive
Located on Jackson Park’s lakefront, the recently restored 1919 building is one of the city’s top summer wedding destinations. When it’s not the site of an event, the house is open to the public, serving as a place for beachgoers to chill out during days spent swimming in Lake Michigan, playing volleyball or grilling in one of the designated cooking areas. The beach facilities are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., though swimming is only allowed when a lifeguard is on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: 312-742-5369; chicagoparkdistrict.com
Kayak Chicago
Various locations
Even if you don’t have any kayak experience, you can learn the basic strokes and get paddling lessons on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River on one of Kayak Chicago’s two- to three-hour tours. The most popular trips are the Fireworks Paddle, where you can watch the Navy Pier show from a boat, and the Architectural/History Tour, where you navigate past the city’s skyscrapers, learning about the buildings and the river. Trips fill up quick, so book at least a week in advance. No matter your fitness level, it’s likely to leave your arms sore as you stretch muscles you don’t normally work out.
Cost: $50 More info: 630-336-7245; kayakchicago.com
Windy City Watersports
Montrose Beach, 200 W. Montrose Harbor Drive
Windy City Watersports opened June 5 to offer a new way to enjoy Lake Michigan. You can rent a waverunner by yourself and coast solo or you can link up with a friend along the lake. If you’ve never used a waverunner before, you can pay an extra $25 for a beginner’s class or a guided tour.
Cost: weekdays: $70 per half hour, $120 per hour; weekends: $75 per half hour, $125 per hour More info: 312-278-3316; windycitywatersports.com
Water
The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
The Field Museum is known as a place to see rare gems and priceless artifacts, but now they’re also celebrating the most important element for life on Earth. A temporary exhibit running from Wednesday through Sept. 20, “Water” emphasizes that even though the planet is70 percent water, H2O is still a precious commodity. Displays show how animals have adapted to abundance or scarcity of water, the unique chemical properties of H2O and how humanity has harnessed bodies of water for agriculture and energy.
Cost: $23; $20 for students and seniors; $13 for kids ages 3-11. Includes museum admission
More info: 312-922-9410; fieldmuseum.org
Crown Fountain
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
Have you ever wondered who those people are staring at you from the 50-foot towers at Millennium Park? Each of the 1,000 images was taken by Art Institute of Chicago students in 2003, and they rotate in a random order. Scope them out as you walk barefoot through the fountain. If you don’t mind getting wet you can stand under the tower as one of the faces spits out a jet of water, which happens every five to seven minutes.
Cost: Free More info: 312-742-1168; millenniumpark.org
Seadog River & Lake Architecture Cruise
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Starting with the Chicago locks, the 75-minute open-air boat ride features a 60-minute tour through the Chicago River. A lighthearted history lesson, guides tell stories about the river and the skyscrapers that now line it, including Tribune Tower, NBC Tower and Merchandise Mart. After the tour, the speedboat revs up its engines and turns on loud music for a
15-minute ride on Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Cost: Prices vary depending on package. About $18-$30 for adults; $16-$20 for kids
More info: 312-822-7200; seadogcruises.com
Underwater Safaris
2950 N. Lincoln Ave.
You can get certified as a SCUBA diver at Underwater Safaris through a series of five weeknight classes or over the course of a weekend. Split between a heated indoor pool and classroom discussions, the course includes rentals for all equipment except for a mask, fins and snorkel. While many divers finish by getting their open water certification on vacation, you also can sign up for a $200 training dive at Haigh Quarry in Kankakee.
Cost: $200 weekdays, $250 weekends
More info: 773-348-3999; uwsafaris.com
Montrose Beach
4400 N. Lake Shore Drive
If your pooch loves the water as much as you do, take him or her to Montrose Beach. The morning hours are most popular with the city’s pet owners heading out for walks and plenty of doggy paddling. Dog tags are required and are available at participating Chicagoland veterinary offices. Visit the park district’s site for more info.
Cost: Free; dog tags are $5
More info: 312-742-7529; chicagoparkdistrict.com
Captain Al’s Charter Boat Fleet
400 E. Randolph St.
Groups of up to 18 novice fishers can spend the day on Lake Michigan fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout, perch and other sport fish depending on the season. Gear and training are provided and boats leave in the early morning and the afternoon. Salmon are easy to catch any time of the day during spawning season and trips almost always provide people with something tasty for dinner. Staff will filet your catches and package them with recipes.
Cost: About $155 per person; prices vary depending on group size.
More info: 312-565-0104; captainalscharters.com
Shoreline Water Taxi
Various locations
If you’re spending the day hitting up the sites downtown, you could watch your taxi fares rise as you’re stuck in traffic, or you could hit the water. Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the summer, boats will pick you up and drop you off at Union Station, Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue and the Museum Campus. If you want to get to work in style, they also offer commuter service from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $3-$13; $2-$7 for kids
More info: 312-222-9328; shorelinesightseeing.com
