The school year is filled with classes, exams, extracurricular activities, social events and very little spare time. Everyone always says you have to spend at least one summer in Evanston, probably so you can do everything you didn’t have time to do while classes were in session. So pass time between summer classes, relax after your summer internship and use Evanston and Chicago like you should have been all year. With summer upon us in just two short weeks, here are some ideas of how to fill the upcoming months. Read on to discover the top five things you must put on your Evanston summer to-do list. 1. A day at the Lakefill Although it was built to make room for buildings like the library (scoff), the Lakefill also provides a clear view of South Beach and Chicago, the perfect place to catch some rays and a beautiful view. Live north? Walk down the coast and actually read the rocks; most are either touching, artistically impressive or hilarious to make fun of. Live south? Stop by Whole Foods or any takeout restaurant and get supplies for a picnic. Sit on South Point and enjoy good food, good company and what will be an awe-inducing sunset. Make an entire day out of the Lakefil, and finish with a summer sunset with friends. 2. I want to ride my bicycle Use the convenient bike paths of Chicago to ride all the way to Navy Pier. It’s only around 14 miles there and takes a little over an hour. Enjoy the view, nice weather and good old-fashioned exercise to get you downtown in the same amount of time the El would. Once you get to Navy Pier, get your fanny pack and tennis shoes ready for some tourist fun and explore all the Pier has to offer. Take in the view from the famous Ferris wheel. Pretend you’re a kid again at the Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze & Time Freak or check out the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Chow at the array of restaurants, food court or street vendors before heading over for refreshments at the Landshark Beer Garden (if you’re 21+), but make sure you’re able to bike home. 3. Shop till you drop Wicker Park provides funkier fashion in one of the coolest areas of Chicago. Spend the day discovering locally owned and one-of-a-kind boutiques with clothing to die for and stop by the plethora of cafes and organic restaurants to get your fill of locally grown food for the ride home. Don’t worry, the hour-and-a-half El ride is worth it. If you’ve already explored Wicker Park, head downtown on the Intercampus Shuttle for free and get dropped off just a block away from Michigan Avenue for a more commercial shopping experience. Hit Water Tower Place and Chicago’s amazing Top Shop, and be sure to stop at Forever Yogurt near the Chicago Red Line stop before you head home. 4. Taste of Everything The world’s largest food festival is located right here in Chicago; need I say more? This year the Taste of Chicago is running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 11 through Sunday, July 15 in Grant Park. Although admission to the event itself is free (including the musical performer segments), you must purchase food and beverage tickets to use at the vendors. With hundreds of vendors participating, it is hard to imagine how someone could leave this festival unsatisfied. Come and enjoy foods ranging from tilapia and grilled vegetable tacos, falafel and hummus, chicken masala, gluten-free pizza, mini chipotle chicken, Cajun meatballs, eclairs, mini churros, mac and cheese bites, sweet potato fries, pot stickers, cheesecake and chocolate-dipped frozen bananas. If you aren’t interested in the food, for whatever reason, come check out the musical acts Jennifer Hudson, Death Cab for Cutie, Chaka Khan and Dierks Bentley. 5. Lollapa-WHAT? Come one, come all to Lollapalooza, Chicago’s most eventful concert weekend, Aug. 3-5 in Grant Park. Although all tickets (except Sunday passes) sold out, reverting to StubHub is your best option. With three-day passes being sold at upwards of $400, snatch them quickly before prices skyrocket even higher. With an insane lineup including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Bassnectar, Avicci, Calvin Harris, The Shins, Justice, Kaskade and many more, you do not want to miss out. So hop on the El, roam around the city, stop by Chow Town for some amazing food and jam to your favorite, or completely random, bands for what will be an unforgettable adventure. -Alyssa Clough