What we’re about
This group is for anyone who 50 and older wanting to remain active and enjoy the activities available in Chicago. We welcome anyone who wants to meet new people & DO SOMETHING FUN! We will do more than just eat & drink, but we will have events that are centered on food and conversation.
"Active" means doing some of what this great city offers. Events like music and dancing, shows and exhibits, theater and maybe an occasional movie. There will also be things such as dining and meet ups at coffee shops. In warmer months, there will be opportunities for outdoor activities.
I live in Ch8cago and will primarily list events in Chicago.
Group members are encouraged to propose events, and I will be happy to list them on the group webpage.
Thanks,
Rob
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 🏛️🕰️ Strolling Through Kenwood: Mansions, Myths & Megastars 🚶♀️🎩Blackstone Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL
🏛️🕰️ Strolling Through Kenwood: Mansions, Myths & Megastars 🚶♀️🎩
🏠📜Kenwood Treasures: A Walk Through Chicago’s Historic South Side
Step into one of Chicago’s most elegant and storied neighborhoods! From Gilded Age mansions and Prairie School gems to Civil Rights icons and President Obama’s former home, this walking tour reveals the rich legacy of Kenwood through architecture, activism, and culture.
📅 Saturday, August 2, 2025
🕛 12:00 PM – approx. 2:00 PM
📍 Start: Blackstone Branch Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave
🎯 End: Isidore Heller House, 5132 S. Woodlawn Ave (approx. 6 blocks from start)
💰 Cost: $20 (cash preferred; Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)
🚶♀️ Distance: About 2.5 miles outdoors
⚠️ Tip: Walk Ends about 6 blocks from the start — if driving, consider parking midway
***🔎 What You’ll See & Learn:
✅ Stately Gilded Age homes & early Prairie-style architecture
✅ Sites tied to Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, and Julius Rosenwald
✅ Hidden gems by Frank Lloyd Wright, Shaw, and other local legends
✅ Historic houses of worship, activists, educators & entrepreneurs
✅ Insightful storytelling and great company across multiple meetup groups!📸 It’s not a photo walk but trust us—you’ll want your camera!
🎤 Led by a passionate, knowledgeable guide (that’s me!), this walk is perfect for architecture buffs, history lovers, and curious Chicagoans.
***🏛️ Featured Stops & Highlights Include:
🏛️ Blackstone Branch Library
🧱 George Blossom House (FLW)
🧱 Warren McArthur House (FLW)
🏠 Former Elijah Muhammad House
🏡 Howard Van Doren Shaw House
🥊 Former Muhammad Ali Residence
🏠 Charles Adams Goodyear House
🏠 Ezra S. Brainerd House
🏢 Rainbow PUSH Coalition HQ
🏛️ Julius Rosenwald House
🧱 Gustavus F. Swift Mansion
🧱 Moses Born Residence
🏛️ Martin A. Ryerson House
🧱 McGill House
🦅🏛️Former Obama Family Home
🕍 KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation
🏠 Isidore Heller House (FLW)
***🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour
Stick around and grab a bite at one of these local favorites:- 🥗 Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat (vegan)
- 🥪 Cafe 53
- 🍕 The Sit-Down Cafe
💵 Bring cash for lunch—some spots don’t split checks!
***👟 What to Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle
• Weather-appropriate attire
• $20 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)🚗 Transit & Parking Tips:
• Free & metered street parking available on Lake Park, Woodlawn & side streets—watch signs
• Park midway if you’d like to be close to both start & end
• CTA-accessible – use the CTA Trip Planner for the best route
***📌 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP current
🚫 No-shows make future planning tough
🕛 RSVP updates close at the tour start time
***✨ Discover Kenwood — where elegance, activism, and architectural beauty converge. Come explore the stories behind the stones on this engaging neighborhood walk! 🏛️🌳👟
- 🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶Jay Pritzker Pavilion,Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶
Multi-Group Event
Hosted by Giovina, Tom, Susan & Nelson!Join us all summer long for the Grant Park Music Festival Wednesday night concerts! This has become a beloved tradition for our Meetup groups—great music, good company, and plenty of shared food and wine.
Whether you’ve been coming for years or it’s your first time, you’ll feel right at home.
***
📅 WHEN:
Every Wednesday (weather permitting)
🎵 Music begins at 6:30 PM
⏰ We start gathering around 5:45 PMNote: Giovina won’t be hosting every week. When she isn’t there, Tom, Susan, or Nelson will be your hosts. Look for any of us—either way, we’re always in the same spot every week.
***
📍 WHERE:
Millennium Park – Great Lawn
We meet way at the back of the lawn near the sidewalk.
You can’t miss us!
📌 Map Pin & Visual Guide: Group Spot Map
🎟️ Gates open 90 minutes before the concert.
Please allow extra time for bag checks & security screening.
***
🍷 WHAT TO BRING:
✅ Wine, beer, or your favorite beverages
✅ Snacks & food to share—think cheese, crackers, fruit, dips, baked goodies
✅ Blanket or low lawn chairs
✅ Bottle opener or corkscrew
✅ Cups, napkins, plates, or toothpicks (if you can)
✅ Dress for the weather (bring layers!)✨ If anyone has a small folding table, please bring it! I have 2, but we always need more for all the food and drinks.
***
🛍️ Food Nearby:
Running late or don’t want to cook?
Grab something at:
• Mariano’s (Randolph St.)
• Macy’s Food Court (State St.)
***
📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
We always sit way at the back of the Great Lawn near the sidewalk.
✔️ It’s easy to spot us—we’re the big group with blankets, chairs, wine, and food!
✔️ If you’re early, just grab a bench nearby and wait for the group.
✔️ See our spot here: Map Link🎼 Concert Schedule:
Every week features a different performance!
✅ See the full 2025 season lineup:
Grant Park Music Festival Schedule
✅ Know before you go – security details:
Millennium Park Security Info
✅ Venue map & seating:
Venue Map
***
🚗 PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
Public Transit:
• Easy access via CTA trains & buses
• Plan your trip: CTA Trip Planner
Parking:
• Grant Park North Garage or Harris Theater Garage recommended
• Limited metered parking nearby—arrive early if driving
• Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for deals
***
🙌 RSVP & NO SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if your plans change!
✅ The cutoff to change your RSVP is the event start time.
✅ If you’re running late, message your host directly.
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze.
***
🌟 Ready to unwind midweek with great music, good food, and fun people?Bring your friends, a bottle of wine, and a blanket—and let’s make the 2025 season the best yet!
See you on the lawn! 🎶🍷🌿✨
- 🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶Jay Pritzker Pavilion,Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶
Multi-Group Event
Hosted by Giovina, Tom, Susan & Nelson!Join us all summer long for the Grant Park Music Festival Wednesday night concerts! This has become a beloved tradition for our Meetup groups—great music, good company, and plenty of shared food and wine.
Whether you’ve been coming for years or it’s your first time, you’ll feel right at home.
***
📅 WHEN:
Every Wednesday (weather permitting)
🎵 Music begins at 6:30 PM
⏰ We start gathering around 5:45 PMNote: Giovina won’t be hosting every week. When she isn’t there, Tom, Susan, or Nelson will be your hosts. Look for any of us—either way, we’re always in the same spot every week.
***
📍 WHERE:
Millennium Park – Great Lawn
We meet way at the back of the lawn near the sidewalk.
You can’t miss us!
📌 Map Pin & Visual Guide: Group Spot Map
🎟️ Gates open 90 minutes before the concert.
Please allow extra time for bag checks & security screening.
***
🍷 WHAT TO BRING:
✅ Wine, beer, or your favorite beverages
✅ Snacks & food to share—think cheese, crackers, fruit, dips, baked goodies
✅ Blanket or low lawn chairs
✅ Bottle opener or corkscrew
✅ Cups, napkins, plates, or toothpicks (if you can)
✅ Dress for the weather (bring layers!)✨ If anyone has a small folding table, please bring it! I have 2, but we always need more for all the food and drinks.
***
🛍️ Food Nearby:
Running late or don’t want to cook?
Grab something at:
• Mariano’s (Randolph St.)
• Macy’s Food Court (State St.)
***
📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
We always sit way at the back of the Great Lawn near the sidewalk.
✔️ It’s easy to spot us—we’re the big group with blankets, chairs, wine, and food!
✔️ If you’re early, just grab a bench nearby and wait for the group.
✔️ See our spot here: Map Link🎼 Concert Schedule:
Every week features a different performance!
✅ See the full 2025 season lineup:
Grant Park Music Festival Schedule
✅ Know before you go – security details:
Millennium Park Security Info
✅ Venue map & seating:
Venue Map
***
🚗 PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
Public Transit:
• Easy access via CTA trains & buses
• Plan your trip: CTA Trip Planner
Parking:
• Grant Park North Garage or Harris Theater Garage recommended
• Limited metered parking nearby—arrive early if driving
• Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for deals
***
🙌 RSVP & NO SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if your plans change!
✅ The cutoff to change your RSVP is the event start time.
✅ If you’re running late, message your host directly.
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze.
***
🌟 Ready to unwind midweek with great music, good food, and fun people?Bring your friends, a bottle of wine, and a blanket—and let’s make the 2025 season the best yet!
See you on the lawn! 🎶🍷🌿✨
