There is a lot to do in Chicago in the summer. Navy Pier has free entertainment, music, food and amusiment park rides all summer long. Taste of Chicago is a huge food and music festival that takes place from June 29 to July 8. Chicago sights can be seen from the popular dinner cruises off of Navy Pier. Four states can be viewed on a clear day from the magnificent Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center. Travel north for a pleasant evening of music at Ravinia in Highland Park.
Navy Pier: Navy Pier offers entertainment all summer long. Navy Pier is a top destination for visitors to Chicago, attracted by free entertainment, which is ofter free. Fun for family entertainment, or romantic dates are the amusement park rides and huge ferris wheel overlooking Lake Michigan and the city skyline. There are several restaurants and drinking establishments on Navy Pier, including the outdoor beer garden.Navy Pier is always festive. Fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights create even more excitement on the pier.
There is non-stop entertainment at Navy Pier, with live entertainment, amusement park rides, a beer garden and restaurants. The famous ferris wheel gives great view of the skies and the lake. Navy Pier doesn't reserve their fireworks for the 4th of July. There is a fireworks show every Wednesday and Saturday night during the summer. Spectacular fireworks displays take place every on Wednesdays and Saturdays until September 2.
The Cirque Shanghai has returned to Navy Pier with summer performances until September 3, 2007. The Chinese acrobats are presented by Pepsi Skyline Stage by Pepsi. Ticket prices for Cirque Shanghai range from $14.50 to $29.50 (312-902-1500).
Dinner Cruise excursions from Navy Pier are a great way to view the city skyline and to view the fireworks. There are lunch and dinner cruises on Odyssey Cruise Lines (866-305-2469) and Mystic Blue Cruises (877-299-7783).
Taste of Chicago, June 29-July 8, 2007: The popular festival food and music in Grant Park attracts quite a crowd.This year's food festival features food from over 70 local restaurants, representing a variety of cuisines. The festival is free. The variety of food can be purchased at the festival.
The Independence Day Fireworks at The Taste of Chicago are a dramatic display. The City of Chicago presents the Grant Park Orchestra and the Macy's Independence Eve Fireworks Display. The fireworks and entertainment presented on July 3 is part of the annual Taste of Chicago festival. This event may attract up to a million people, to see the amazing pyrotechnic display in Grant Park. It's a good idea to take advantage of public transportation, arrive early and enjoy the food and music at The Taste of Chicago. There are also smaller fireworks displays scheduled on July 4 and July 5.
John Hancock Center: Observatory is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm for spectacular views of up to 80 miles that span over 4 states. (888-875-VIEW).
Sears Tower Sky Deck: Chicago's highest observatory for the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. (312-875-9447. On a clear day, the Skydeck offers views of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Public Transportation in Chicago: Travel to from the suburbs via the Metra train is convenient and saves the hassle and expense of finding a parking space. During the summer months, The City of Chicago has a free trolley that travels to the most popular destinations, including Metra Union Station, Metra Ogilvy Station, Macy's, Navy Pier, The Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Grant Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Ravinia Festival, Highland Park: Travel up the North Shore to Highland Park for concerts almost nightly. Ticket can be purchased for the reserved seating area or the more casual lawn seating. Ravinia features concerts with different styles of music. Performances may be classical, jazz, pop or Broadway. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a frequent guest. The lawn area is filled with groups of people who have packed picnic lunches, bottles of fine wine and candlesticks. The grounds are dotted with romantic candlelight on the blankets spread out on the lawn. There is paid parking at the festival grounds. Free shuttles from designated parking areas in the City of Highland Park provide Fee transportation to the Ravinia grounds. Special Metra Trains travel from downtown Chicago, up the North Shore and stop right at the Ravinia gate for convenient transportation. (866-266-5100).
Information subject to change
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