Summer is 92 days long. Savor it. We know main attractions aren’t hard to find, so we sought out uniquely Chicago experiences that might not be on your radar yet, plus some road trips for when that get-outta-town feeling strikes. Enjoy the sun and don’t think about the “W” word.

Best Quick Getaways

Need a weekender? These breaths of fresh air are located within a four-hour drive of Chicago.

FOR TOTAL ESCAPISM
Take the whole family, and more, to Red Fox Cabin, a new private three-floor, three-bedroom cabin for six located on the outskirts of Kohler, Wisconsin, just minutes from the AAA Five-Diamond resort/hotel. It sits on several acres of natural wilderness along the scenic Sheboygan River. Among the perks: an outdoor patio with a fire pit, rec room with pool and poker table, and access to all of Kohler’s resort amenities. Starting at $1,484/night. americanclubresort.com

FOR CITY COOL
College town Madison, Wisconsin, really comes into its own over summer break. Book a room at Edgewater Hotel and be just four blocks from Capitol Square and at the water’s edge of Lake Mendota. Surrounding the Capitol is one of the Midwest’s best farmers’ markets (held every Saturday morning through October), and you’ll also want to hit the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art on State Street, with three floors of evocative contemporary pieces. Whatever you do, make sure it ends with a massage back at the hotel at Edgewater Spa. Starting at $259/night. theedgewater.com

FOR COUNTRY CALM
Go glamping at The Fields, a working blueberry farm in the countryside of South Haven, Michigan. Along with U-Pick fun, there are hiking trails and a fishing pond. After an evening meal prepared by Sean Hale, a former Ritz-Carlton chef, do some stargazing and curl up in your lush tent complete with an en suite bathroom. Starting at $325/night. thefieldsofmichigan.com

Best Spots to Drink With Your Dog

Bonding time is the best time and you can do it at these places recommended by Marta Kenar, founder of dog rescue nonprofit MCP Rescue + Outreach.

BACKYARD BLAST
Logan Square’s the Native is always dog friendly, but outdoors in summertime is where the magic happens. The hidden courtyard feels like at a big backyard party. Order a drink while your furry friend socializes. 2417 N. Milwaukee; thenativechicago.com

PATIO PLAYDATE
St. Lou’s Assembly summers are for the dogs, considering this West Loop haunt has a packed lineup of pup-centric events, including Haute Dogs (a doggy fashion show), as well a menu with items such as “woofles” (waffles for dogs $8). 664 W. Lake; stlouschicago.com

Bar Siena

DINNER DATE
Bar Siena in the West Loop takes dog-friendliness to the next level with a “puppy patio menu.” During patio hours, your four-legged pal can eat grilled chicken, burger or skirt steak ($10) and top if off with nondairy “woof cream” ($2). 832 W. Randolph; barsiena.com

Wellness Experiences to Try at Least Once

Squeeze in some fitness time (summer is about balance, right?). Give these a shot once and you may keep going back for more.

FIND YOUR FLOW
Bring your mat, find a nice spot of grass, and let yourself be guided through asana poses by Nature Yoga Sanctuary. Free outdoor yoga sessions are offered every Sunday morning at Wicker Park Farmers Market from June 2-October 27. 1425 N. Damen; wickerparkbucktown.com

GET FIT AND FLOAT
It’s HIIT meets hang 10. High intensity interval studio CrossTown Fitness (CTF) has teamed up with the standup paddleboarding company Chicago SUP for 45-minute Total Body Beach Training Class on the sand, followed by paddleboarding on Lake Michigan. Some classes are free for members of CTF; drop-in prices start at $25. Held Saturdays from June 8-September 28 at North Avenue Beach. crosstownfitness.com

RUN FOR IT
Running groups are good for your body and heart (aka: they’re a great way to make new friends!). You don’t need to be training for a race to get in on regular runs put on by groups like Three Run Two (threerun-two.com), Fleet Feet Racing (fleetfeetchicago.com), Black Girls Run (blackgirlsrun.com), and Chicago Endurance (chicagoendurance-sports.com). Check their websites for membership info and run schedules.

Quiet Places to Beat the Heat

Can’t be outside all the time. When it’s too scorching or you just need a moment of shhhh, try these quiet and off-the-radar spots.

FOR SPA SEEKERS
A restored 1902 factory turned into paradise when AIRE Ancient Baths took up residency. Following in the tradition of Greek, Roman, and Ottoman baths, it offers both cold and warm baths, Himalayan salt experiences, holistic olive oil rituals, and more in the company of beautiful columns and restored brick. Experiences start at $84. 800 W. Superior. beaire.com

FOR FILM AFICIONADOS
If you’re more into avant-garde French cinema than Avengers, head to Lincoln Park’s Facets Multimedia, where an intimate screening room is your source of foreign, indie, documentary, and countless other films that don’t hit the big-box theaters. Admission varies. 1517 W. Fullerton; facets.org

Ed Paschke Art Center

FOR ART LOVERS
Far from the flurried halls of the Art Institute you’ll find an artful encounter that will leave an impression. Ed Paschke Art Center in Jefferson Park holds the largest collection of the late Chicago artist’s works, known for their vibrant colors and intricate, almost optical-illusion-like patterns. Admission is free. 5425 W. Higgins; edpasckeartcenter.org

Where Kids Will Have a Blast

Otherwise known as spots where you stay sane while they stay occupied. Go beyond the typical museum scene and give these a try.

GO EXPLORE
It was only a matter of time before the kids got their own Instagram museum. Enter Bixbee Imagination Station, an immersive, interactive pop-up featuring beautifully decorative themed rooms encourage the kiddos to stretch their minds. They’ll learn about forest, oceans, and more as they explore photo-friendly settings inspired by Bixbee’s children’s backpack designs. Opens June 15. $30 for adults; $23 for kids ages 3-11; free for children two and under. 915 W. North; bixbeeimaginationstation.com

GO ANIMAL
Legos and animals are a kid’s two favorite things in life. Put them together and you have Brookfield Zoo “Brick Safari,” a display of 40 life-size animal sculptures made from millions of Lego bricks. As you stroll down a wooded pathway you’ll encounter a lion, giraffe, and pangolin (that’s a scaled ant-eating mammal, for the uninitiated). Through Sept. 29. Special additional admission of $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 3-11. czs.org

Old Mill Creek

BE WOWED
A half-hour north of the city in the rolling hills of Old Mill Creek, you can see regal dancing white horses. Tempel Lipizzans is home to the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzan horses in the world and, new this year, eight baby Lipizzans. See the show and visit the stables for one-on-one time with the horses and trainers. Held June 16-September 8; tickets $30 for adults; $20 for kids 4-14. tempelfarms.com

Alternatives to the Big Music Fests

Lolla and Pitchfork got your head spinning? Take the road less crowded at these still-buzzworthy picks.

Do Division Street Fest

THE INDIE DARLING
Do Division Street Fest, held May 31-June 2 along Division between Damen and Leavitt, has music programming from the folks at Empty Bottle and Subterranean. This year’s lineup is headlined by Skatalites, WHY?, and Meat Puppets. $10 donation for admission. do-divisionstreetfest.com

THE CULTURAL IMMERSION
Ruido Fest opens your eyes to alternative Latin music in all genres — punk, rock, rap, electro. Multiple stages make for nonstop entertainment, and it’s blissfully uncrowded. Held June 22-24 at Addams/Medill Park in Little Italy. Tickets start at $64. ruidofest.com

THE DJ SCENE
Chosen Few DJ Festival, held July 6 in Jackson Park along the lake, is all about celebrating our city’s rich house music heritage. Go for endless DJ sets and special musical guests. Tickets are $40. chosenfewdjs.com