The JOOLA Pops Tour Is Heading to Chicago — Here Are 5 Reasons to Stay a Little Longer
The JOOLA Pops Summer Tour is underway, and our JOOLA Pops ice cream truck has already made a summer's worth of memories. This weekend, the truck is rolling into the Midwest, Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago is known for many things icluding; hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, a legendary comedy scene (shoutout Second City), and some of the most passionate sports fans on the planet, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Bears, you name it. But here's something else Chicago has going for it: a serious pickleball scene.
Even if you can't make it out to meet the JOOLA Pops truck at Social Pickleball Fun (SPF) on Thursday, June 4, or at Maggie Daley Park on Saturday, June 6 — we've got you covered. Here are five reasons to stay a little longer in Chicago:

First, pickleball. Where to play?
Social Pickleball Fun (SPF) If you're looking for the best place to pick up a paddle in Chicago, look no further than Social Pickleball Fun — better known as SPF. Chicago's social pickleball destination brings family fun, fitness, and food together across three vibrant Chicago locations — Lincoln Park, SPF All Day, and The Sport House.
Still need to find a Court? Pickleheads has you covered. Chicago has more courts than you might think, and Pickleheads makes finding them effortless. Head to pickleheads.com to search every public and private court in Illinois, filter by location, and find open play times near you. No excuses, there's always a court and always a game waiting.

Where to Eat?
Look, we're not here to settle any debates. Chicagoans have strong opinions about their food, and honestly, rightfully so. Rather than wade into the deep dish vs. thin crust wars or tell a local how to eat their Italian beef, we're going to keep it simple. We're tourists, we came hungry, and we went straight for the things Chicago is famous for. No hot takes, no rankings, no controversy, just three iconic Chicago eats that lived up to every bit of the hype. You're welcome in advance.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria You cannot visit Chicago without eating deep dish pizza, and Lou Malnati's is the gold standard. With locations all over the city, Lou's has been serving up buttery-crusted, sauce-on-top deep dish since 1971, and yes, it's every bit as good as everyone says it is. Go classic with the Lou, or go bold and try it with Italian beef on top.
Portillo's (Chicago Style Hot Dogs) Portillo's Chicago-style hot dog is dragged through the garden with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt, and it is equally legendary. No ketchup. Ever. That's not a suggestion, that's Chicago law.
Al's #1 Italian Beef When it comes to Italian beef in Chicago, Al's #1 is an institution. Founded in 1938, this is where the Italian beef sandwich was practically invented, thin-sliced seasoned beef piled high on Italian bread, dipped in the gravy, and topped with your choice of sweet or hot peppers.

What fun activities or locations do I need to see?
Chicago River Boat Tour One of the best ways to see Chicago is from the water. A Chicago River architecture boat tour puts the city's iconic skyline and legendary architecture right in front of you while a guide walks you through the stories behind every building.
Navy Pier Take a ride on the world-famous Centennial Wheel, see a play at the Shakespeare Theatre, or set sail on Lake Michigan at Chicago's historic Navy Pier. Navy Pier also hosts live music and family-friendly entertainment throughout the summer.
Grant Park Known as Chicago's front yard, Grant Park is the green heartbeat of the city. Home to Buckingham Fountain, a stunning lakefront promenade, and some of the best people-watching in the Midwest, it's the perfect spot to decompress between matches, meals, and adventures.

Where are the best spots to capture a selfie?
Millennium Park — The Bean Probably the most well-known spot in all of Chicago, Cloud Gate — better known as The Bean — is a polished mirrored sculpture that reflects the city's beautiful skyline incredibly. Show up on a sunny day, get your angle, and embrace the fact that approximately 10,000 other people will be doing the exact same thing.
360 Chicago Observation Deck If you want a selfie with the whole city behind you, head to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue. The views stretch for miles in every direction, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Indiana.
Chicago Street Art Chicago's street art scene is one of the most vibrant and underrated in the country. From massive murals in Pilsen to colorful walls throughout Wicker Park and Logan Square, the city is a living outdoor gallery that keeps changing.

What do I do to experience the great outdoors?
Lakefront Trail The long stretch of lakefront trail is almost entirely open to the public and takes you past Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, beaches, Museum Campus, Burnham Park and Promontory Point. Whether you run it, walk it, or rent a Divvy bike and ride the whole thing, the Lakefront Trail is one of the most spectacular urban outdoor experiences in the country.
Chicago Riverwalk The Chicago Riverwalk is the city's most underrated outdoor gem. Running along the south bank of the Chicago River through the heart of downtown, it's lined with restaurants, bars, kayak rentals, and some of the best architecture views in the city.
North Avenue Beach When summer hits Chicago, North Avenue Beach is where the city comes alive. White sand, volleyball courts, a boathouse with food and drinks, and a view of the skyline that looks like it was designed specifically to make you feel good about being alive.
Chicago, it's been a pleasure, from the courts to the deep dish to The Bean. Whether you made it out to see the JOOLA Pops truck this weekend or you're saving Chicago for next time, we hope this guide makes the Windy City feel a little more like home. And if you loved this one, stay tuned, the JOOLA Pops Summer Tour is just getting started, and more city guides are on the way. Next stop, coming soon.