Jaunted

· See some fireworks. Hop on one of Shoreline Sightseeing's fireworks cruises, available on Sept. 5 and 6 at 9:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively. Tickets for the hour-long cruise cost $28. You'll admire the glittering Chicago skyline and the final Navy Pier fireworks display of the season. Or, if you're a landlubber, head to Navy Pier's open-air, no-cover Beer Garden, where you can watch the fireworks while sipping some Goose Island brew and listening to live bands.

· Go to Ravinia. Nothing beats sitting on Ravinia's lawn under the stars and listening to some live music. On Sept. 6 at 7 p.m., there will be a Rodgers & Hammerstein Tribute in the pavilion. Even if you're not a fan of these timeless tunes, it doesn't matter; picnicking and guzzling wine under the stars at Ravinia is a Chicago summer ritual. This is one of the few last outdoor concerts before the season closes on Sept. 19.

· Stuff yourself with pierogi at Taste of Polonia. Held Sept. 4 to 7, Taste of Polonia is an outdoor festival with music on three stages from American and Polish bands, a Polish cooking class and folk dancing. But you'll want to go for the delish ethnic food, such as pierogi, kielbasa, potato pancakes. And you'll wash it all down with some Polish beer.

· Check out the Art Institute—for free. If you need to escape the sun, duck into the Art Institute on Sept. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. for the museum's last free Friday night of the season. Be sure to check out the new Modern Wing's "Modern and Contemporary Works on Paper," which features drawings from artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. The exhibit closes Sept. 13.

· Hit the beach. Make use of the remaining summer days by heading to Lake Michigan. Of course, there's swimming, barbecuing and all of the usual beach activities. But this was the first summer in which the city allowed surfing on the lake. On Labor Day, the surf season closes at Montrose Beach, 4400 N. Lake Shore Dr., and 57th Street Beach, 5700 South and the lake. Bring your board to hang ten one last time.

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[Photo: liz_noise]