Ten Things You Can Do On Your Lunch Hour If You Work In Downtown Chicago

Are you tired of the same ol' sandwich Monday through Friday? Here are ten things you can add as a side* to make it more enjoyable! *By side, I mean activities

1. Go for a walk!

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I'll start with the most obvious option. Take a walk. Get away from your cube, computer, meeting rooms, etc... and enjoy the scenery! Chicago has some of the best architecture and the best views!

2. Take a boat tour!

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One hour is enough for you to take a 45 minute river tour. They run about $17 dollars so bring that sandwich so you can save on lunch :) Also, don't do this on a rainy day!

3. Visit the Skydeck/ The Ledge at the Sears Tower! eh em... Willis Tower.

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If you aren't afraid of heights.. this is an awesome activity. You might have gone with your family and the kids but it is a different experience going by yourself! It runs about $19 dollars but check with HR, sometimes work offers discounts for places nearby ;) Also, the lines are not too bad during the week and all you need is a good 20 minutes for the view.

4. Shop on State Street

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Now that there is a City Target on State Street, you can get almost anything on your lunch break! New purse? Head to Nordstrom Rack. Toilet paper? City Target!

5. Head over to the Hancock!

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The John Hancock Building also has their own version of The Ledge (Willis Tower) called Tilt! If you are near the Hancock, head on over for quite the experience! Tilt extends over the Mag mile at 1,000 feet! This activity will run you about $18 but I have seen Groupon deals and HR deals :)

6. Read a book!

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Chicago has one of the most gorgeous libraries around! Head over to Harold Washington Library and get lost in their aisles of books! Not only can you use your Chicago Public Library card but they also accept many suburban library cards! Even if you aren't a bookworm, you can do a self guided tour of the architecture!

7. Head over to the French Market at Ogilvie Train Station!

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This is a great idea for those cold/rainy days, which are frequent in Chicago! The Chicago French Market is the original indoor market that offers a variety of specialty foods and items! You can run over there for sandwiches and salads, or to buy fresh produce! They even have a FliP Crepe! where you can take a class on how to make crepes!

8. Wait in line for Garret Popcorn

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Seriously, you will need all lunch hour. BUT the wait is oh so worth it! They offer a variety of popcorn flavors such as Caramel Crisp, Cheesecorn and the all time fav, the Chicago Mix.

9. Enjoy an outdoor Fest or Market

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There are plenty of outdoor festivals you can attend no matter the season. From the world famous Taste of Chicago during the summer to Chriskindlmarket at Daley Plaza in the winter. There is always something going in Chicago!

10. Ride a Divvy!

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Divvy, if you are not aware, is our bike sharing system. You can find the stations EVERYWHERE! And you don't have to return the bike to the same station. It is also only $7 for 24 hours (for 30 minutes at a time) and if you time it right, you can use it for two lunch periods. You can either ride somewhere to eat or just enjoy the scenery.

And there you have it! Ten things you can do on your lunch break!