I'll admit it - I really enjoyed the "cool" weather this weekend. I love being warm so I don't mind wearing a light, long-sleeved shirt and ankle-length capris on an August afternoon in Chicago. But as the weather tempered, it made me realize that summer is all too quickly passing by.

Here are three activities you can simply take outdoors to make the most out of these last glorious weeks of summer.

Take a walk - it's one of the most underrated pastimes in my opinion. This weekend I opted to do my errands by foot rather than on my bike and despite my poor planning and all the stores being closed by the time I got there, I had some much-needed me-time. I think we can all use that some times. Walk alone or with a friend, in the morning or at sunset and enjoy that calming satisfaction wherever your fresh-air adventure takes you (not to mention you'll rack up some additional miles under your feet!)

Check out some of the city's most renowned walking tours of Chicago's printers row, the Gold Coast and of course, the Mag mile.

Nap.

A good nap is always a welcome addition to any weekend afternoon. In fact, last weekend I took two naps - no shame. One on the sand at Loyola Park and the other in my backyard. Dozing outdoors is my best way for a midday reenergizing, though I haven't quite figured out why that's so. Maybe it's the soothing sound of the wind or the warmth of the sun caressing my back as I settle into an uninterrupted snooze.

So next time you're feeling groggy, grab a blanket and find a spot in the backyard or in a park and get your dose of sun and slumber. Visit the Chicago Park District's Web site for the city's best green nap spots.

WorkOUT of doors.

I've been kicking myself all summer for not using my gym membership I so eagerly invested in last spring thinking ‘what a brilliant idea! This summer I'll have so much time to take classes at the gym.' While that's still not the case, I've found I much prefer exercising out doors and getting that much-needed dose of Vitamin D. I literally have to carry myself to the gym - solely for the purpose of feeling like I get my monthly dues' worth. But once I'm there, I find myself gazing longingly out the window, wishing I were running on a trail or working out at one of the lakefront workout stations rather than being cooped up in a room full of metal and mirrors.

If you're into yoga, pilates or dance, bring your Saturday morning practice to Millenium Park where you can take free (yes, free) classes at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively. 

Namaste. 

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Alyssa Urish
Alyssa grew up in southern California and willingly left the palm trees and warm winters for the capricious Chicago weather. She is a senior studying Journalism and Spanish at Northwestern University and no, she still doesn't know what she's going to do after college. She interned last fall at a daily newspaper in Boulder where she really tapped into her love for hiking, biking and farmers markets. Alyssa is currently on track to run her first marathon this October through the magnificent miles of Chicago. More