I'm heading up to Chicago for the first time in 6 years or so for July 4th weekend. We'll get in Thursday morning and leave on Sunday the 4th. I need some suggestions on things to do. Time will be somewhat limited. We'll have all day Thursday, but are going to Cubs-Reds games (yes I know its a Sox board, but the Sox weren't in town!) My questions are:

 

1. Tell me about Taste of Chicago. Is it worth spending time there? Worth catching after one of the afternoon games? What kind of entertainment will there be?

 

2. Does anyone know of any other events going on that weekend? Has anyone ever done any of the boat tours? There is an architecture tour and a skyline tour? Any input? Are there dinner cruises at night?

 

3. Will there be a big fireworks show downtown on Saturday the 3rd or will we miss out having to fly back on the 4th?

 

4. Suggestions for places to eat? We'll be doing pizza one night for sure. Mostly likely Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. We like dive type places, but wouldn't mind a nice dinner one night either. Definitely not looking for chain or corporate places. Want something unique to Chicago.

 

We're staying at the Sutton Place Hotel which is a few blocks north of the Hancock Tower and west of Oak St. Beach. Is Oak St. Beach going to be packed that weekend. I figured on walking to it at least one morning, but not staying long. Thoughts?

 

Any input on the above or any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. We're using public transportation and time would be limited, so unless something would just blow us away, it needs to be pretty convenient to downtown. Thanks!

I'm heading up to Chicago for the first time in 6 years or so for July 4th weekend. We'll get in Thursday morning and leave on Sunday the 4th. I need some suggestions on things to do. Time will be somewhat limited. We'll have all day Thursday, but are going to Cubs-Reds games (yes I know its a Sox board, but the Sox weren't in town!) My questions are:

 

1. Tell me about Taste of Chicago. Is it worth spending time there? Worth catching after one of the afternoon games? What kind of entertainment will there be?

 

If you've never been it might be worth checking out for a few hours. Be warned that it's insanely crowded. Walk there from your hotel or take public trans.

 

The entertainment is listed here.

 

2. Does anyone know of any other events going on that weekend? Has anyone ever done any of the boat tours? There is an architecture tour and a skyline tour? Any input? Are there dinner cruises at night?

 

Architectural tour on the river is awesome.

3. Will there be a big fireworks show downtown on Saturday the 3rd or will we miss out having to fly back on the 4th?

 

Not sure. someone else will have to answer.

 

4. Suggestions for places to eat? We'll be doing pizza one night for sure. Mostly likely Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. We like dive type places, but wouldn't mind a nice dinner one night either. Definitely not looking for chain or corporate places. Want something unique to Chicago.

 

I'll defer to others. EDIT: Although I remember enjoying Keefer's back when I was a meat eater.

 

We're staying at the Sutton Place Hotel which is a few blocks north of the Hancock Tower and west of Oak St. Beach. Is Oak St. Beach going to be packed that weekend. I figured on walking to it at least one morning, but not staying long. Thoughts?

Definitively stop by the beach for a bit. Great people watching.

Edited May 22, 201015 yr by BigSqwert

Slick Rick, Bell Biv Devoe, Salt-N-Pepa, etc on Friday at the taste? That might be fun.

Slick Rick, Bell Biv Devoe, Salt-N-Pepa, etc on Friday at the taste? That might be fun.

 

They are on Friday June 25th. We won't be there until July 1st.

They are on Friday June 25th. We won't be there until July 1st.

Doh!

I realize tastes vary, but I'd like input on the following steakhouses, including why you may like one more than another.

 

1. Gibson's

2. Keefer's

3. Morton's

4. Sullivan's

5. Any others downtown?

There will be fireworks for sure on July 3rd. I believe Navy Pier and the Taste both have them. I would advise you go to to Navy Pier for fireworks nights. The past two years, there's been gang fights there. Two years ago specifically, someone just started shooting right in front of the fountain and fighting. It happened in front of Buckingham Fountain. Normally, there is no criminal activity there at all. It's just a matter of everyone wants to be there including gangbangers with their girlfriends, they see someone wearing the wrong color and violence erupts. If you don't go to Navy Pier, go to Millenium Park and watch them from the grass field there. Very nice place to be.

 

Morton's is the only one I tried from that list. Fantastic!!!

TASTE OF CHICAGO:

I've only been there once, but I wasn't impressed. You have to muscle through huge crowds to get extremely pricey, "meh" street food. I won't go back.

 

TOURS:

I took a lakefront boat tour once that was themed with some murder book/the World's Fair. It was nice, but I think a tour that goes along the river and points out things in the city would be better. Prices for these aren't bad.

 

FOOD:

Get pizza and italian beef somewhere.

 

If you want something special, go to Alinea. It's a Top 10 restaurant in the world and an amazing meal you won't forget for a long time. It's incredibly expensive though. My fiance and I went and the bill ended up over $500 w/ drinks, tax, and tip.

I agree on Alinea. Moto is very similar. Both are once in a lifetime experiences.

 

As an FYI, Alinea was recently voted the #7 restaurant in the world and the highest American restaurant on the list.

The worst time you can go to the Taste is later. If you can get there early, around lunch time, the crowds are pretty tame. It gets so insanely crowded during the nights it is impossible to really do too much.

The worst time you can go to the Taste is later. If you can get there early, around lunch time, the crowds are pretty tame. It gets so insanely crowded during the nights it is impossible to really do too much.

 

Also last I heard, they had canceled the fireworks show.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2014794...-012710.article

Also last I heard, they had canceled the fireworks show.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2014794...-012710.article

They canceled the big fireworks show on the 3rd. There is another, smaller show on the 4th. I'll be there for that.

The worst time you can go to the Taste is later. If you can get there early, around lunch time, the crowds are pretty tame. It gets so insanely crowded during the nights it is impossible to really do too much.

It's all about how you plan, IMO.

 

Typically, what I'll do, and what I plan to do again this year, is head up there on the train pre-lunch. Grab lunch at Taste, then take a walk for a few hours down Michigan Ave, shop or whatever, then wander my way back to Grant Park around dinner time. Especially if you've grabbed some extra tickets in the morning so you don't have to wait in that line again, you're in good shape, even on the busy days.

 

There's also usually more than a few free events/shows/concerts at the Taste. I'm hitting the XRT show on the 4th most years also.

In that situation, ditch the taste Rex and head to Navy Pier. It's also, overall, a better place to be in my opinion. The food at the taste, while very good, is very overpriced.

The worst time you can go to the Taste is later. If you can get there early, around lunch time, the crowds are pretty tame. It gets so insanely crowded during the nights it is impossible to really do too much.

I agree. I probably won't go at night again. The last couple times I did, not only was it wayy too packed, but people started going over the top drinking and just plain loud and obnoxious.

I'd try to hit the Kerry Picnic at Rubio Woods on the southside on the 4th. Footraces, horseshoes, and Irish people young and old enjoying a good drink. Take a walk through the woods to Bachelor's Grove http://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/bachelors/. Bring some bottle rockets and have a "fight" with your friends. Guaranteed good time.

 

 

I think I went to the Taste on July 4 in the morning a few years ago and it was dead. We were able to go right up to all the booths and sample any food we wanted. I'm pretty sure it was the 4th. If not, I agree with the earlier post that it's not bad if you go early and leave early. Don't go July 3, it's a nightmare.

Edited May 23, 201015 yr by Middle Buffalo

Alinea is a spectacular suggestion. Ruths Chris steakhouse on dearborn is amazing even for a chain.

In the coming weeks I'd check out Groupon chicago for some stuff to do, just make sure they are good for holidays. They've done a lot of the stuff you mentioned recently for 90% off and stuff.

 

(k...also a heads up, they are starting to do mlb tickets, check out next week for some sox ones.)

Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has anymore I'll keep checking back.

Restaurant.com has an 80% off gift certificate deal going right now.

I'm heading up to Chicago for the first time in 6 years or so for July 4th weekend. We'll get in Thursday morning and leave on Sunday the 4th. I need some suggestions on things to do. Time will be somewhat limited. We'll have all day Thursday, but are going to Cubs-Reds games (yes I know its a Sox board, but the Sox weren't in town!) My questions are:

 

1. Tell me about Taste of Chicago. Is it worth spending time there? Worth catching after one of the afternoon games? What kind of entertainment will there be?

 

2. Does anyone know of any other events going on that weekend? Has anyone ever done any of the boat tours? There is an architecture tour and a skyline tour? Any input? Are there dinner cruises at night?

 

3. Will there be a big fireworks show downtown on Saturday the 3rd or will we miss out having to fly back on the 4th?

 

4. Suggestions for places to eat? We'll be doing pizza one night for sure. Mostly likely Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. We like dive type places, but wouldn't mind a nice dinner one night either. Definitely not looking for chain or corporate places. Want something unique to Chicago.

 

We're staying at the Sutton Place Hotel which is a few blocks north of the Hancock Tower and west of Oak St. Beach. Is Oak St. Beach going to be packed that weekend. I figured on walking to it at least one morning, but not staying long. Thoughts?

 

Any input on the above or any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. We're using public transportation and time would be limited, so unless something would just blow us away, it needs to be pretty convenient to downtown. Thanks!

DONT GO TO THE TASTE. Repeat: DONT GO TO THE TASTE.

 

Its turned into a very dangerous gang-infested event. You would be wise to spend time in a neighborhood street fest if thats what you are looking for.

 

Blue 13 is my fav boutique restaurant in Chicago at the moment. Unreal experience and food.

I realize tastes vary, but I'd like input on the following steakhouses, including why you may like one more than another.

 

1. Gibson's

2. Keefer's

3. Morton's

4. Sullivan's

5. Any others downtown?

David Burkes blows most of those away at this point. Gibsons, Sullivans and Keefers are overhyped. Mortons is always good

Field Museum or Museum of Science & Industry

 

Which one and why? Let me add, we'll likely only have aboug a half day.

Edited June 18, 201015 yr by Rex Hudler

Field Museum or Museum of Science & Industry

 

Which one and why?

 

Field. Science and Industry is a much younger feel. If you have kids, S&I for sure.

Field. Science and Industry is a much younger feel. If you have kids, S&I for sure.

 

 

Would be just me and my girlfriend, SS2K. We're 40ish.