Luz Medina

I will be traveling to Chicago, for the first time in my life, this coming July and was wondering if someone could suggest some interesting things to do during the 4th of July weekend? I was also wondering what type of climate you have during that time and what type of clothes should I wear?

kam

Don't live there anymore, but did for many, many years. Weather could be almost anything--Chicago is nortorious for changing weather. Could be thunderstorms or very hot and humid. It will probably be on the warm and humid side--Chicago is pretty casual. Bring a jacket just in case. Navy Pier has been renovated and is now a tourist focal point---there should be wonderful fireworks out over the lake that you can see from the pier or from Grant Park. The best fun is to know someone who can take you out on the lake to watch.

John

Taste of Chicago in grant park will be going on. There will be food booths concerts all weekend and the 4th of July fireworks show is usually on july 3rd the fireworks are choreographed to music and are spectacular. The one drawback is there are HUGE crowds. It is generally hot and humid then but with Chicago you can never be sure of the weather. Have a nice trip.

kam

I remember Taste of Chicago in Grant Park with my little kids--it was super. For sure go there even though the crowds are dense, the people are friendly and helpful. Taste some of the wonderful Chicago barbequed ribs---like nothing else anywhere---I hope ;you have good weather, but as we used to say in Chicago, "if you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes!" Enjoy.

Rebecca

As a Chicagoan, I suggest checking out Navy Pier,esp for the July 3rd fireworks. Grant Park can be scary, It's way too crowded. Go Early, like 5-6pm to get a spot, really! Take one of the river/lake tours on the boats at the Michigan Ave bridge by the Wrigley Bldg, they are a great way to cool off and give ana different perspective of the city. Michigan Ave has great shopping, although most of the restaurants are either mediocre or over priced. For nightlife, check out the Wrigleyville area on the northside. There are good moderate priced restaurants on Clark St. such as Tuscany, Outpost, Mongolian BBQ, Texas Star Fajita Bar, all of which I recommend. In this area there are sports, blues, reggae and other bars/clubs. A good source for nightlife info such as theater,concerts etc is The Reader which comes out every Thursday. Try to pick one up, it's free!

Katrina Farmer

Taste of Chicago is a must. Go by 11:00 a.m. to beat the crowds. The food is wonderful, just a little bit at a time. The Cubs are playing Pittsburgh Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wrigley
Field cannot be missed! Have fun! I'll be there, too.

Katrina Farmer

Taste of Chicago is a must. Go by 11:00 a.m. to beat the crowds. The food is wonderful, just a little bit at a time. The Cubs are playing Pittsburgh Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wrigley
Field cannot be missed! Have fun! I'll be there, too.

Michelle

I also agree with Taste of Chicago! Also, the Hancock building has a great view (better than the Sears Tower). If you don't have someone transporting you around, try the Baja Beach club at North Pier
(not Navy) for dancing. I also agree with Navy Pier for fireworks. If shopping is your pleasure, Michigan Avenue and Watertower Place (off Michigan) are a must see. Yes, they are pricey, but fun. The Cubs are great! If you have any questions, email me. Have fun!!

BK

The weather can vary very much. I do recommend bringing something warm - it can get cold when out at the lakefront latenight (especially if it is windy) watching the fireworks.

I also do recommend the Hancock Tower. Go to the cocktail lounge on the 96th floor - the view is second to none on a clear night - a must see!!!!!!!

I'm not very fond of Taste of Chicago - the crowds can sometimes be too much. If you are interested in something smaller (still crowded), you should check out some of the neighborhood festivals. I'm not sure what ones are going on that weekend (you'll have to do some homework) - but some good ones are: Sheffield Garden Walk, Taste of Lincoln Ave, Blues Fest, St. Pat's Block Party, etc. There's usually a couple of these every weekend. They are usually up in the Lincoln Park/Lake View/Wrigleyville area. Also the nightlife in these neighborhoods is very popular. Some popular bars are: Cubby Bear, Brother Jimmy's (good live bands), Kincade's, etc. There's a bunch in the Lincoln Ave/Fullerton Ave area. Moran's has a very nice beer garden (Racine and Clybourne). Any cab drive would know where these venues are. Also, try Penny's Noodle Shop - a BYOB Thai restaurant (Diversey and Sheffield) that is very good (inexpensive and very casual). Best wishes.

John Brownlee

Hello!

You've got a lot of good information about things to do. Taste of Chicago is fun and it will be really crowded the night they have all the fireworks.My wife and I once went up to the cocktail louge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building to watch the fireworks. We got there an hour or so before sundown and got a table by the window.

Now that was something different. The fireworks exploded below our vantage point out over Grant Park. I won't forget that show!!

D

I'm a local here, and would recommend against Taste of Chicago. I've been there on the night of the fireworks and the crowds are just horrendous. The food tickets are really expensive and the lines to the porta potties are really long (and I'll leave it at that). The fireworks are really neat though, so I would recommend just seeing them somewhere else and not from Taste of Chicago. Navy Pier is really nice and towards the end there is a beer garden plus food, so maybe that would be an alternative.