Sometimes we all need to unwind, and the Windy City has plenty of opportunities to relax. \u00a0These places in Chicago are prime spots when you\u2019re in need of quality R&R.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for a dose of nature to calm your nerves (time spent in nature has been shown to improve mental health<\/a>) check out the Garfield Park Conservatory<\/a> \u2013 one of the largest conservatories in the country. While you can stroll through the 12 acres of outdoor gardens in the summer, there\u2019s plenty to see inside during the colder months. Walk through the eight rooms of the conservatory \u2013 often referred to as \u201clandscape art under glass\u201d \u2013 filled with thousands of different plant species.<\/p>\n If the sight of flourishing flora isn\u2019t enough to help you relax, try out a free yoga lesson on the weekends in the Horticulture Hall. Beginners and advanced yogis are all welcome to join.<\/p>\n A cup of spiced cider and a comfy chair mean relaxation, especially in cold weather. Whether you live in Chi-Town or are just passing through, take a trip down to Old Town and visit Eva\u2019s Caf\u00e9<\/a>. \u00a0Eva\u2019s offers delicious coffee, fresh pastries, and good vibes. It\u2019s also quiet, which is important – noise increases stress. So throw on a cozy sweater, bring a book, and pick out your favorite Victorian armchair. Your body and mind will thank you.<\/p>\n Looking for more good vibes? Make sure you also try out Ipsento Coffee House<\/a> in Bucktown and Gaslight Coffee Roasters<\/a> in Logan Square.<\/p>\n Who says you have to leave the house to relax? Let the best of Chicago come to you. Zeel is your one-stop app for on-demand mobile massages<\/a>. Within an hour, a massage therapist from Zeel can be anywhere in Chicagoland. Choose from a wide variety of massage options \u2013 everything from Swedish massages and deep tissue massages, to couples massages and prenatal massages.<\/p>\n Massage therapy can help you rediscover tranquility in your life. Swedish massages<\/a>, for instance, have been proven to help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels.<\/p>\n Other on-demand apps that promote relaxation include BloomThat<\/a>, which will send flowers to you for a jolt of physical and emotional color, and FlyCleaners<\/a>, which will pick up and deliver your laundry and dry cleaning for you. \u00a0With in-home massage, flowers, and clean laundry, your home is truly your castle of relaxation. Try some home spa decorating tips too<\/a>.<\/p>\n Located south of the Adler Planetarium, Northerly Island is 91 acres of space that\u2019s dedicated to nature. \u00a0Try something new – hike the trails, join a discovery tour, take an archery class, or simply gaze at the Chicago skyline.<\/p>\n Northerly Island also hosts a wide variety of events, shows, and programs that you can also enjoy throughout the year.<\/p>\n While there are many museums and art installations in Chicago, when you\u2019re looking for a place to unwind, check out the Chicago Cultural Center<\/a>. Not only do they have free exhibits, events, and concerts, the Cultural Center boasts some of the most beautiful architecture in Chicago, which is saying something. Standing beneath the Tiffany dome will take your breath away and leave you feeling inspired.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to unwind at other museums,, check out the Art Institute of Chicago<\/a>, the Field Museum of Natural History<\/a>, and the Museum of Science and Industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Spending time with animals<\/a> is a great way to relieve stress. If you\u2019re looking for the purr-fect way to unwind, start with the Catcade in Lakeview<\/a>. At this arcade-themed cat rescue, you can hang out with feline friends while playing video games (basically the best combo on earth). And the fun doesn\u2019t stop there. If you find your forever friend between games of Pac-Man, you can adopt them at the end of the night.<\/p>\n Animal lovers in the city have lots of options for furry fun. \u00a0Volunteer with dogs at PAWS Chicago<\/a> or sip tea alongside rescue kittens at the Purrfect Roast Catfe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Music sounds good, but it\u2019s also been proven scientifically (and anecdotally) to improve health<\/a> and enhance relaxation. One top place for great jazz is the Green Mill<\/a>. \u00a0If you\u2019re a history fan, you\u2019ll enjoy this venue too. The Green Mill was a frequent haunt of the infamous Al Capone. You can even sit in his regular booth, which is perfectly situated so his henchmen could keep a close eye on the front and side doors.<\/p>\n And if jazz isn\u2019t your thing, there are plenty of other great music venues in Chicago, including Lincoln Hall<\/a>, Schubas<\/a>, and Thalia Hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not a local, you may not know that Chicago is a prime beach destination in the summer. With Lake Michigan at the city doorstep, there are 26 miles of sand along the coast. \u00a0Lake beaches have real advantages, like salt-free water and a complete lack of sharks.<\/p>\n Ready for the beach? From Hollywood Beach in Edgewater to Montrose Beach in Uptown, you\u2019ve got some great options for beach trips in Chicago.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s not suntanning weather, you could also try surfing in the winter<\/a>, which may also reduce anxiety<\/a>. During the colder months, there are some great (albeit frigid) opportunities to hit the waves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sometimes we all need to unwind, and the Windy City has plenty of opportunities to relax. \u00a0These places in Chicago are prime spots when you\u2019re in need of quality R&R.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1305],"tags":[208,975],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-17003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-chicago","tag-relaxation"],"yoast_head":"\nEva\u2019s Caf\u00e9 – Old Town<\/h2>\n
On-Demand Apps – your home<\/h2>\n
Northerly Island – South Side<\/h2>\n
Chicago Cultural Center – New East Side<\/h2>\n
Catcade – Lakeview<\/h2>\n
The Green Mill Lounge – Uptown<\/h2>\n
Beach day – Edgewater<\/h2>\n