I'm going to be in Chicago on the 4th of July. Is there anywhere special I need to be?

The biggest thing going on is certainly the Taste of Chicago - I've read it's the world's largest food festival (or just the world's largest with free admission).
There are several food booths as well as live music. You must purchase tickets to use to buy the food.

Recent threads discuss the event in more detail.

Where will you be in Chicago? Downtown or a certain neighborhood?

Thanks Gina. We will be on the Magnificent Mile. Tell me about the Taste of Chicago. Is that a location? You say, "Recent threads discuss the event in more detail." Where would I find this information?
I appreciate your information.

If you enter "Taste of Chicago" in the "Search the Forums" box, you can find relevant theads.

Taste of Chicago actually ends on the 4th of July this year and is starting up soon- running before the actual 4th.

There are numerous downtown restaurants in which you will get a great, sit down with real utensils and delicious dining experience.

I absolutely detest The Taste of Chicago. It's 1000's of ill cooked (do NOT go by this product as a true representation of that same titled food at that featured restaurant-as there is little correlation)foodstuffs in sweltering heat with cheek to jowl people and piles of garbage (literally)all fighting for somewhere to rest (not sit, just stand)to eat it. You have to buy tickets (they were 50 cents per ticket)and every item you buy, just a taste- mind you- is anywhere from 4 to 8 or 9 tickets. Much more of the later, than the former.

Venetian weekend has been cancelled- so the fireworks during the 4th will probably be good.

If you like crowds and like some of the offerings as per vocal or musical entertainment- hit tickets now. Google Chicago 4th of July fireworks 2010 and get all the details on the choices.

Also www.metromix.com may help.

Do NOT use former threads for advice. Most everything has changed. They are even using Suburban restaurants for Taste, as so many prime Chicago have voted with their feet.

WATCH YOUR PURSE!

Here's the official site. I've walked over on lunch and it seems a bit less crowded during the week than on weekends, but still masses of people. It used to be fun because you could try sample dishes of oddball things, but now who wants to deal with that mess just to get pizza and cheeseburgers? But for a first timer, it could be fun; check out the restaurant link and you can see what they're serving.

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/e...f_chicago.html

Hi again...Well the Taste is certainly not for everyone, but given the sheer size of the event, it only seems natural to mention it to the OP. Even if the OP does not want to go, he/she should still be aware it's going on due to the extra foot and vehicle traffic, road closures, etc.

The last day of the Taste is July 4th from 11-6.

This year there are ONLY Chicago-based restaurants (not suburban.) In fact, there was a bit of stir when that info came out earlier this year.
http://tinyurl.com/y77oppm

The recent post where the Taste is mentioned is still relevant as it just happened:
http://tinyurl.com/283elaz

In that post, I mention one of my favorite establishments in the city is Original Rainbow Cone. The location is quite far for folks who are only in town a day or two. So the Taste can be a great way to sample food from all over the city in one fell swoop.

That said, crowds and heat do not bother me. If you hate that type of stuff, just skip it. Either way, you'll be in the area to see what you think.

There is still a ton going on that weekend (see links above).

Have a fun trip!

The complaint about not allowing suburban restaurants at the Taste is simply not fair. All of those suburban restaurants who were at the Taste of *Chicago* were warned years ago that they had to have a Chicago location or wouldn't be allowed to participate. They didn't get one and now they are not there.

gpriess, you have to understand that the Taste of Chicago only showcases a few of the 4000 restaurants in Chicago. IMHO, you don't go there specifically to get a hamburger, pizza, or any other ordinary foodstuff - although you might try those along the way. You go to sample some other types of cuisine which you perhaps haven't tried before. You go for the free musical entertainment or perhaps to see the free cooking demonstrations.

Yes, there is a limited amount of seating available. But, you have to realize that there are a *lot* of people who attend these - huge crowds, millions of people. So, yes, the likelihood - if you go during the busiest times - is that you will be eating standing.

The "taste" portions are usually 3-4 tickets. The others are usually 7-10, depending on what the dish might be. The better dishes are normally on the higher end of that range. The taste portions are not usually the same as the other offerings, but sometimes they might be.

I go every year - and I went, in the past, on the 3rd of July - which was the busiest day *by far* - because that was when the city used to have their fireworks display. The 4th of July was traditionally the second busiest - but I anticipate it will now be the busiest because of the fireworks now schedueled on the 4th.

When I go, I do my homework ahead of time. I make a list of those dishes I will definitely try* (taking specific note of the location of the vendor's kiosks) and those I might try, depending on how they look, comments from others who have sampled them, etc. For example, this year I intend to try: The Tequila Lime Chicken Taco of Carbon; haven't decided if it will be the Jollof and Oxtail or the Coconut Rice with Sauteed Goat at Iyanze or stay with Vee Vee's, whom I have gone to in the past; the Pair of Petite Grilled USDA Prime Sirloin Steak Sandwiches with Béarnaise Sauce at Polo Catering (I always try their offerings - as well as those of Vermilion); perhaps the Apple Gouda Sausage at Bobak; and the choices at Shokolad Pastry and Café are a maybe. I *always* get a dessert at Eli's, though. Always. *Usually both the Chicago Tribune and SunTimes run articles by their food critics about the dishes which they found interesting and recommend. They normally come out a couple of days before the 4th, too. Suggest you search for them.

Cash lines go much quicker than credit card lines when you are getting tickets. And I suggest that you have a set budget and stick to it. It's too easy to be spending more money than you wish.

You can do your homework, too. All you have to do is go to the www.explorechicago.org website and pull up the information on the Taste of Chicago. There is a hyperlink to the Taste of Chicago website there as well. They have maps of all the vendors as well as information on what they will be serving. They also tell you who will be giving the cooking demonstrations (many each day) at the Dominick's Cooking Pavilion and the line-up for the free entertainment.

All that being said, if you want to go to a festival to sample the best of Chicago cuisine, then you go to the Chicago Gourmet 2010, which is held at Millennium Park at the end of September. I believe that tickets purchased in advance are still $90 for one day or $175 for both ($150 day/$250 both days at the gate). As you can tell from the pricing, you are looking at a different kettle of fish here.

Now, my suggestions for where you want to be on or around the 4th:

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park on the 2nd or 3rd. The Grant Park Orchestra always has such an excellent free 4th of July concert (being held July 3 with rehearsals on the 2nd). Because Millennium Park is close to Grant Park, where the Taste is held, expect there to be run-over of the crowds from the latter. See www.grantparkmusicfestival.com for information.

If you were looking for something more low-key, more family-oriented (they have a family/children parade lead by the world's tallest Uncle Sam, for example) and away-from-the-crowds - but still very patriotic (they read the Declaration of Independence, recognize the veterans in the audience and have patriotic live music), then go to the free Traditional 4th of July celebration at the Chicago History Museum - on the 4th of July. 10 a.m.-noon. Look at chicagohistory.org for information.

The fireworks that evening will be held from three locations: one on the north side (Montrose Harbor), Navy Pier and one on the south side. Be aware: this will affect traffic flow all around the city. You need to check the CTA's website about which streets will be shut down and where public transportation will be re-routed.

I'll second the Chicago History Museum idea for the 4th celebration. I just love that museum!! It is smaller, but has so many wonderful exhibits and you can really get a sense of Chicago's history and what it's all about.

I have no idea if you would be into this, but there is an amazing wedding dress exhibit there now. They have dresses from the 1800's through today. Even if you are not super into wedding dress fashion, it is still neat to see the progression of the dresses over time.

Based on the prior replies, is it safe to conclude that there will be no fireworks on July 4 in Chicago???

No. Why would you think that? I mentioned above, they are being held on the 4th.

The city used to have their fireworks on the 3rd of July but this year, the fireworks are on the 4th - being set off from three separate areas - one on the north side (Montrose Harbor), central (Navy Pier) and south side.

Hi, gpreiss3! If you are a fan of theater, you should try to catch "A Parallelogram" at Steppenwolf Theater. Should be really funny considering the playwright - Bruce Norris. Amazing people attached to this -- director Anna Shapiro won the Tony for directing "August: Osage County." Show will be in previews then so rush tickets can be bought 1-hr before showtime for half-price ($20-$22.50). Would be a really nice experience and this play will be a hot ticket in a few weeks.

Oh - and I LOVE the Taste of Chicago. Bring your own water, get one of the maps and circle the cuisine you want to hit, buy the sample/"taste" sizes and just find a shady spot to sit down and eat north/south of Buckingham fountain. Just be chill about it and you'll have a great time. You have to move slowly with the crowds, but once you get off the main path with your food, you can have a nice little picnic.

Have a great time in Chicago!

EP - You have saved me. I clearly missed something about the July 4th fireworks. About time they are actually on the 4th! Thanks!