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Where to Get Outside With Friends Once Stay-at-Home Order Lifts in ChicagoStaffon May 13, 2020 at 10:19 pm

It’s a good thing summer is coming because research is showing that you are less likely to contract COVID-19 when outdoors. While we still should maintain six feet distances from others and make sure not to hang out in large crowds, groups of up to 10 people might be able to start seeing each other again come May 30th. If that happens, we still have a responsibility to slow the spread of the virus, and that means doing our part by keeping our distance. And the safest way to do that? Outside, in fact.

It makes sense when you think about it. Fresh air circulates better outside than in a stale, indoor environment. And when you cram a group of 10 people in a room, it’s hard to keep a six-foot distance, rendering yourself and others vulnerable to contracting the airborne virus. Here are a few outdoor ways to get outside around Chicago, while practicing social distancing, once the stay-at-home order starts to loosen.

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Photo Credit: Arrowhead Golf Club

Tee off at a golf course

It’s that time of year again and it’s like the one thing we can still do. You can tee off at golf courses all over Illinois with the squad this summer.

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Explore an empty Chicago

We are not encouraging anyone to form large gatherings anywhere, but the empty streets of Chicago must look pretty eerie right about now. A stroll downtown sounds kinda cool, and a great time for a photoshoot when no one’s in your shot. Keep your masks on! Makes for a dope pic anyway.

austin gardens

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Stroll through the park

The Chicago Park District created a handy map for residents to easily identify which parks are closed and which are open through the pandemic. Many are closed, and all amenities, like basketball hoops and tennis nets, have been removed until close-contact sports are deemed safe again, but there are a few exceptions.

Hiking Trails
Photo Credit: DuPage Forest Instagram

Take a hike

While Chicago might not be known for its hiking, our neighbors are, and there are plenty of preserves still open to the public outside of Cook County. Make sure to wear a mask, especially if you’re bringing a few people along. Best Summer Beers

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Bring Happy Hour outside

Some of your favorite Chicago bartenders have been doing virtual Happy Hour every week all quarantine. And now that the weather is finally warm, time to crack open a cold one with the boys outside.

@lianevThat new Drake 🎶🔥 ##toosieslide ##foryou ##foryourpage ##dance inspired by @kidthewiz

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♬ Toosie Slide – Drake

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Master a TikTok dance challenge

Don’t have great lighting at home? There’s nothing like natural sunlight to make a quality video. They say the TikTok algorithm favors videos you can actually, you know, see.

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Where to Get Outside With Friends Once Stay-at-Home Order Lifts in ChicagoStaffon May 13, 2020 at 10:19 pm Read More »

10 Indie Coffee Shops Offering Delivery in Chicago Right NowNicole Hamzelooon May 13, 2020 at 5:56 pm

No surprise here that coffee shops are still considered essential businesses in Chicago during the times of quarantine. Although some are completely closed, there are many that are offering to-go orders and delivery.

Photo Credit: Sip & Savor Chicago Facebook

Sip & Savor Chicago

Multiple Locations

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This proudly black-owned coffee shop by Trez Pugh has all three of its locations open for business and serving the south side area of Chicago.

Photo Credit: Cafe Jumping Bean Facebook

Cafe Jumping Bean

1439 W 18th St

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Cafe Jumping Bean is staying open for carryout during this time. They are open from 7am – 7pm.

Photo Credit: Dark Matter Coffee Facebook

Dark Matter Coffee – The Mothership

738 N Western Ave

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This Chicago staple is doing to-go orders from 7am – 1pm at its Mothership location and other locations around the city.

Photo Credit: Passion House Coffee Roasters Facebook

Passion House Coffee

Multiple Locations

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Passion Coffee House produces nuanced, clean coffee, and is always searching for the best coffee available. They are offering carry-out and call ahead orders.

Photo Credit: Oromo Cafe Facebook

Oromo Cafe

Multiple Locations

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Oromo café has locations in Bucktown and Lincoln Square and is offering take out orders. They are known as one of Chicago’s most globally well-rounded coffee shops.

Photo Credit: Cafe Mustache Facebook

Cafe Mustache

2313 N Milwaukee Ave

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This Logan Square spot offers coffee and is a music venue. They are doing carry out and delivery for their coffee and sandwiches, and are even serving beer.

Photo Credit: Heritage Bicycles General Store Facebook

Heritage Bicycles

2959 N Lincoln Ave

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This coffee shop and bike shop hybrid is offering takeout and delivery. You can even get Do-Rite Donuts when ordering from here.

Photo Credit: Two Hearted Queen Facebook

Two Hearted Queen

1201 W Roscoe St

Accepting to-go and pick up orders Two Hearted Queens is known for three things; coffee, community, and culture.

Photo Credit: Cafe Urbano Facebook

Cafe Urbano

4176 N Elston Ave

This Irving Park coffee shop offers coffee and sandwiches for delivery and pick-up. They are known for creating Italian-style espresso, savory sandwiches, and unique baked goods.

Photo Credit: The Coffee Studio Facebook

The Coffee Studio

5628 N Clark St

This cozy Andersonville spot is offering to-go and pickup orders. A mom-and-pop shop opened in 2007 specializes in elevated, hand-crafted drinks.

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10 Indie Coffee Shops Offering Delivery in Chicago Right NowNicole Hamzelooon May 13, 2020 at 5:56 pm Read More »

Raks Inferno 5/15 Fundraiser: Asian Americans Advancing JusticeGordon Dymowskion May 13, 2020 at 6:30 pm

One Cause At A Time

Raks Inferno 5/15 Fundraiser: Asian Americans Advancing Justice

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The Coronavirus CheesecakeCandace Drimmeron May 13, 2020 at 6:02 pm

Bon Bini Ya’ll

The Coronavirus Cheesecake

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Obama for vice president?Dennis Byrneon May 13, 2020 at 2:21 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

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NBA lookback: Scott Burrell talks Michael Jordan’s intensity at practiceChicagoNow Staffon May 13, 2020 at 9:32 pm

ChicagoNow Staff Blog

NBA lookback: Scott Burrell talks Michael Jordan’s intensity at practice

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WNBA introduces face masks with Sky logosChicagoNow Staffon May 13, 2020 at 9:11 pm

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The New NormalBarbara Revsineon May 13, 2020 at 8:37 pm

A Bite of Chicago

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Your papers, pleaseDennis Byrneon May 13, 2020 at 6:47 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Your papers, please

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National Safe Boating WeekDon Dziedzinaon May 13, 2020 at 9:55 pm

Back in the Outdoors

National Safe Boating Week

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