✏️ Create a "get active" post for DCUS 25

src/_content/posts/get-active-at-djangocon-us.md

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+---
+author: DjangoCon US Communications Team
+category: General
+published_datetime: 2025-08-29 12:00:00-05:00
+layout: post
+cover:
+    url: /assets/img/blog/philippe-oursel-hEzxeDOMXoo-unsplash-biking.jpg
+    alt: "Cyclists enjoying a trail ride on a sunny day"
+title: Get Active at DjangoCon US 2025
+---
+
+🚴🏻🏃🏾🏊🏽🚶🏼 Looking to get active during DjangoCon US?
+
+Having talks means a lot of time spent not moving while watching talks. It's important to take care of your body as well as your mind, and a good way to do that is to get moving.
+
+If you would like a little social motivation (or an excuse to share your accomplishments), we've created a [Strava group](https://www.strava.com/clubs/dcus-2025) as we had in 2021-24. It's a different group from the last few years, so you'll have to join again even if you joined in previous years.
+
+Once we send invitations to attendees to join the conference Slack instance (invitations will be sent out to ticket holders by Sunday, September 7), join the `#outings` channel if you'd like to join or plan a group exercise.
+
+## At the hotel
+
+The [voco Downtown](https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/chicago/chiwp/hoteldetail/amenities) has an indoor pool on the 16th floor. In addition, it has a 24-hour fitness center.
+
+At the fitness center, you'll find:
+
+- Exercise Bike(s)
+- Free Weights
+- Sauna
+- Treadmill(s)
+- Yoga Mats, Medicine Balls, Weight Bench, Water Station
+
+Most of the hotels nearby have a fitness center, so make sure you check with your hotel if you're staying elsewhere.
+
+## Walking/running/hiking/biking
+
+The [Lakefront Trail](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lakefront-trail) is an 18-mile long trail right along Lake Michigan that has excellent paved walking and cycling paths.
+
+There are numerous Chicago Park District Parks nearby. To find some, go to the [Chicago Park District](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/park-finder/map) and start browsing. As a visual landmark, the hotel itself is adjacent to the fork in the river just above the big C in Chicago when you zoom out.
+
+## Bicycling
+
+There are numerous bike-friendly roads near the hotel in addition to the Lakeshore Trail from above. In addition, if you'd like to go on some longer treks, there are routes to Indiana ([GPX](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-indiana.gpx), [FIT](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-indiana.fit)) for those of you who want to check another box off your "states I've biked in" list, Northwestern University ([GPX](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-northwestern.gpx), [FIT](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-northwestern.fit)) if you want to go see the school's [temporary football stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Stadium_(Northwestern_University)), or a much shorter trek to Montrose Beach [GPX](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-montrose-beach.gpx), [FIT](/assets/gpx/dcus-25-hotel-to-montrose-beach.fit).
+
+Disclaimer: these routes have not been tested in person yet. Use them at your own risk.
+
+## Sightseeing
+
+There are lots of landmarks to go visit in Chicago, including the [Cloud Gate](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartcloudgateinmillenniumpark.html) (AKA the giant bean) in Millennium Park, the [Lincoln Park Zoo](https://www.lpzoo.org/) which is free to enter, and the numerous museums at [Grant Park](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/grant-ulysses-park), all of which are within a half hour transit ride or 15-minute bike ride from the hotel.
+
+## Swimming
+
+The city [beaches](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/beaches) will be closed to swimming for the season after Labor Day as there will be no lifeguards on duty.
+
+You're probably best off with the [voco Downtown](https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/chicago/chiwp/hoteldetail/amenities) indoor pool on the 16th floor.
+
+## We hope you enjoy your time while you are in Chicago and get a chance to get out and enjoy the area!