If you’re spending the summer in the city, an afternoon off may be just what you need...

Lunch, Loudly
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion
When: Mondays at Noon
Ditch your suit and tie and head over to Millennium Park for Pitchfork’s mid-day concert series, Audible Architecture: Chicago Nightclubs at Noon. Bringing together an eclectic mix of indie darlings and local favorites, the event will keep your lunch hour lively all summer long.
On Monday the 23rd, let psychedelic folk rocker Gary Higgens ease you into an afternoon groove, while on the 30th, Chicago punk-reggae outfit, The Killer Whales, brings their rollicking act out of dingy rock clubs and into the daylight.

Out of Africa
Where: Carlos Museum
When: Through August 31
Pretend you’re Indiana Jones for an afternoon and escape to ancient Nubia—or at least to Emory’s campus. Organized by Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts in conjunction with the Carlos Museum, Lost Kingdoms of the Nile features discoveries from the kingdom of Nubia that date back as far as 7,000 years.
Of the more than 200 objects on display, the highlight is undoubtedly a golden royal diadem, which is being presented as a single piece for the first time. But if that isn’t enough, you can also gaze in wonder at treasures from the royal Nubian tombs and some of the oldest pottery ever found.

Dadaist Duffers
Where: Walker Art Center
When: Through Sept. 7
We all know reality can be a bit dull—and even virtual reality doesn’t always do the trick. So why not escape from reality altogether with a round of surrealist miniature golf at the Walker Art Center.
An eclectic group of Minnesota artists and designers joined forces to build two seven-hole mini-golf courses that are now open for public play. Highlights include a hole that mimics a Japanese pachinko machine, and another that allows you to putt into Teddy Roosevelt’s mouth as Paul Bunyan stoically takes it all in.

Moscow on the Pacific
Where: Plummer Park
When: June 29
The Cold War is over, so instead of escaping from the U.S.S.R., you can escape to Russia—no passport needed.
The 7th Annual Russian Style Festival celebrates one of the nation’s largest Russian-speaking communities by giving attendees a chance to sample art, food, music and—if you’re lucky—maybe even vodka.
Organizers are promising a gala concert and a huge selection of arts and crafts. And since admission is free, you’ll have plenty of extra cash for a second helping of borscht and shchi.

Cast Off
Where: Pier 54
When: All Summer
If you want to get away but only have the afternoon to spare, Emerald City Charters will get you out in the ocean where you can leave your cares behind.
Sign up for one of their hour and a half cruises, starting at 11 a.m. every day of the week. They’ll take you for a quick spin around the harbor, where you can take in the kind of city views landlubbers can only dream about.
Emerald City’s two 70’ yachts have open decks that invite you to sit back and take it all in alongside an experienced crew that will make sure your afternoon off will be one to remember.

Planning Your Escape
Where: Powell’s Bookstore
When: June 26 at 7:30 p.m.
If you can’t escape to Mt. Everest or the wilds of the Amazon, at least you can hear someone talk about it.
On June 26, Don Mankin discusses his new book Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to Fifty Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler. Aimed at travelers over 40, Mankin will tell you how to meet the tribes of Papua New Guinea and return unscathed.
If that doesn’t ruffle your feathers, just spending hours perusing one of the world’s greatest bookstores will make you feel like you’ve been on vacation.