Mastodons and Mammoths Exhibit Thrills Visitors to The Field Museum
The Mastodons and Mammoths exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum will be open from now until September 6th for guests to come and examine. This exciting collection gives you the chance to see a real baby mammoth that was found and carefully preserved by scientists as well as videos about saber tooth tigers and giant bears. This exhibit even gives you the chance to see what scientists believe caused mastodons and mammoths to become extinct.
If you’re interested in seeing the Mastodons and Mammoths exhibit at The Field Museum and also want to visit many of Chicago’s other hot attractions, get the Go Chicago Card. This card gives you admission The Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, 2 Day Hop on Hop off Trolley Pass, Shoreline Skyline Boat Tour, and over 30 other attractions, museums, and tours. You even get special offers on meals and shopping. It’s an activity perfect for the smart saver who enjoys doing a lot at one low price.
While you’re in Chicago for the exhibit, you can’t miss out on the chance to get your live, history entertainment at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. This dinner and show combination will transport you back to the time of lords and ladies for dramatic sword fights, jousting, and other medieval games. While you’re watching the show, a server will give you a meal of spare rib, roasted chicken, and herb baked potatoes that is fit for a king!
Lake View Music Festival Thrills Visitors and Locals in Chicago
Get ready for the fun and excitement of live music, delicious local food, and the talents and products of local vendors at Lake View Music Fest August 28th and 29th. If you’re looking for the real Chicago on your vacation, this festival is the place to be. The many talented chefs and locals participating in this event as well as the musicians make this a showcase for Chicago’s finest citizens. It’s the “must see” event of the season!
If you’re in Chicago to participate in the festival, you will definitely want to take in the many sights and attractions of the city. The Go Chicago Card is a great way to see them all and save money. This card gives you admission to over 25 attractions including the hottest attractions like Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. There’s nothing easier than the Go Chicago Card when you’re planning out your vacation.
You can’t miss out on Six Flags Great America, Chicago while you’re in the city. Summer time is the perfect time to really take advantage of all this great park has to offer. The family-friendly atmosphere, roller coasters, water rides, and other thrills at the park make it the perfect place to spend an entire day while you’re in the Windy City. It’s a wonderful way to finish your vacation experience!
Attend the World’s Largest Block Party Hosted by Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago
Old St. Patrick’s Church is hosting the 26th annual World’s Largest Block Party from July 9-10. Old St. Patrick’s Church is the oldest public building in Chicago and is treasured by the whole community. Come party for a great cause that supports the Outreach Group, Education Center, Global Alliance for Africa, Career Transitions Center, and Horizons for Youth. While attending the block party enjoy several concerts by artists like Kris Allen, Barenaked Ladies, White Rabbits, and many more great entertainers. Come out and support this great cause at the World’s Largest Block Party.
If you need a hotel for your trip to Chicago, we have a great selection of lodging choices located in the Chicago area.
Chicago is also host to many great activities. One great choice is to take a cruise on Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises. Hop on board and enjoy beautiful sights of the wonderful Chicago skyline as you have lunch or dinner. From the ship’s deck and dining room you will see McCormick Place, Adler Planetarium, Sears Tower, and more landmarks in Chicago. Have a fantastic meal and enjoy beautiful scenery on the Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises.
A great way to experience popular landmarks in Chicago is the Chicago CityPass. With the CityPass, you will receive admission to five popular landmarks in Chicago including the Field Museum, Hancock Observatory or Skydeck Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, and the Museum of Science & Industry. Save time and money by purchasing the Chicago CityPass for your vacation to Chicago.
Chicago is a great place to explore and with the Hop On and Off Trolley Tour, you can see Chicago at your own pace. The trolleys in Chicago make rounds that stop at popular landmarks continuously throughout the day. The trolleys stop at landmarks like the Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Sears Tower, and many more. This Hop On and Off Trolley Tour is a great addition to the Chicago CityPass for a fantastic experience in Chicago.
Get a Taste of Chicago – It’s a Delicious Event!
If you want to be a part of one of the biggest events of the year, come and join in at the Taste of Chicago event this year. Taste of Chicago brings over six million people to Chicago annually for a chance to sample the delicious meals set up in the Gourmet Pavilion in Grant Park. This year, the event will take place from June 27th to July the 4th and promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever. A variety of foods and beverages will be presented to you at the Gourmet Pavilion for you to sample. You may find some new favorites or rediscover some old favorites with a new twist. In addition to the great tastes you get to explore, this event has Battle of the Bands and the Taste of Talent contest to add even more fun activities to your experience.
If you enjoy the magnificent dishes at the Gourmet Pavilion, you’re going to really enjoy the Your Love of Food Culinary Tour. Chicago’s culinary treats are magnificent, and this tour is a great way to get a sample of them. Chocolate, ice cream, rare spices, wine and more are all a part of this fantastic journey through Chicago’s food. You will even get to visit some of Chicago’s most famed food markets to see where restaurateurs and those with select tastes go to get their produce and meats. The entire tour is a dedication to love of great food.
After eating so much, it may be time to get a little bit of exercise and fresh air. Enjoy the sights of Chicago with a bike tour. There is nothing like Chicago in the evening, so take Bobby’s Lakefront Neighborhoods Tour. This evening tour will take you through exciting downtown Chicago. You will see Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk, the Art Institute Museum Campus and many more exciting venues with this bike tour. In addition, you get to experience the classic music of Jay Pritzker on this tour. It’s the perfect tour to help you enjoy your Chicago experience!
Tulips Days Decorate the Magnificent Mile of Chicago, IL
Tulip Days on Magnificent Mile is one of the most breathtaking events in Chicago, IL. It takes place April 15th through May 31st. Eight blocks of gorgeous tulips decorate the finest boutiques, shops, and restaurants you will find in Chicago, creating a charming destination.
Chicago’s Tulip Days are a great reason to travel to Chicago, and the attractions Chicago offers are a great reason to stay for awhile. Chicago offers attractions like the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center with Transportation. This museum can inform you on the holocaust and the impact it had on not just Germany, but the entire world. It’s a great educational display that brings to life past events for those who visit. For a more lighthearted Chicago adventure, go to Legoland Discovery Center Chicago. This is an interactive attraction that the whole family can enjoy. With over 30,000 feet of Lego constructions, Lego characters, and trip to the Jungle Adventure gallery, you can’t help but enjoy your Legoland experience.
Don’t miss out on the great museums, landmarks, incredible planetarium, and the aquarium that Chicago has to offer visitors. Get the CityPass and take advantage of Chicago’s most popular attractions. The Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry are both famous museums with exciting exploration opportunities. The Adler Planetarium provides exquisite pictures of galaxies, movies, and displays that are literally out of this world, and the Shedd Aquarium has wonders from all aquatic areas in the world that are thrilling to see and learn about. The CityPass is a great investment in your Chicago fun. It saves you money, and it gets you into some of the greatest attractions the city has to offer.
2 Parades and One Chicago, IL for an Action Packed St. Patrick’s Day
If you’re looking for excitement and true Irish celebration this St. Patrick’s Day, look no farther than Chicago, Illinois. Chicago has not one, but two incredible St. Patrick’s Day parades. Complete with the traditional bagpipes, kilts, and drinks, both the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day parade and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade are noteworthy events in Chicago. The Chicago River is even turned green for the celebration. Take part in the party of the year with the Chicago Irish community and those who celebrate with them.
While you’re in Chicago taking in the Irish culture, don’t forget to visit some of the noteworthy museums and other attractions Chicago has to offer. Check out the CityPass for admission to three of the most remarkable museums in Chicago as well as the Shedd Aquarium and Alder Planetarium. The CityPass offers great value and even has VIP entry and fast pass privileges with two of the locations.
After a day full of learning and studying the exhibits, cut loose and see the nightlife of Chicago. Listen to the blues Chicago is so well-known for and see the clubs in the Chicago Club Crawl. With this pass there is no coverage charge, and you will be given a drink at each location. Transportation is also included so you can relax and not worry about driving afterwards. Also check out the Chicago Night Life Pass which gives you access to several clubs and allows you to skip the long waiting lines.
Keep Warm During a Chilly Chicago Winter
Chicago winters are not always that friendly, but that is no reason not to visit this fun city! Chicago has a fantastic selection of museums and other indoor activities that you can enjoy while you get out of the cold.
A multi-day pass is a great way to see a lot of Chicago without waiting in lines or paying lots of ticket fees. With the Go Chicago Card, you can have days of access to many of the great museums and attractions in Chicago. This card provides free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, and the Kohl’s Children Museum. In addition, you have access to the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and the Hancock Observatory. The card is available from a one day to seven day ticket, so you can buy it for a day or weekend to entertain you and your family during Christmas vacation. With so many options, you’ll be sure to see something new and interesting while in Chicago. In addition, this card gives you immediate access to the attractions—no waiting in ticket lines!
Another fascinating museum option in Chicago is the new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. This museum contains many exhibits that have art, artifacts, documents, and photographs about the Holocaust. Some of the exhibits are temporary, but the Zev and Shifra Karkomi Permanent Exhibition can always be found at this museum. The permanent exhibit contains the history of the Holocaust from its beginning in Germany to the after effects in the Jewish community. The museum ticket also includes transportation to the museum from Chicago. A visit to this museum is certain to expand your knowledge and perspective on the events of the Holocaust.
If you are looking to escape the cold for an evening, check out one of the world-class theater options in Chicago. The city has a vibrant theater scene, and three acclaimed plays are showing right now in Chicago. Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, and The Addams Family all feature engaging music and performances that should guarantee any visitor a memorable night spent in Chicago. In addition, these plays all end in January, so you have only a few weeks left to experience them!
Take Care of Christmas Shopping in Chicago
Yes, that special time of year is approaching once again, the time to Christmas shop! Chicago is one of the best destinations for shopping in the Midwest and is just a few hours drive from Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, and many other states, making it a convenient choice to get the best Christmas gifts for your family and friends. In addition to the great selection, you can add a night of lodging and have a fun weekend vacation! We offer several shopping packages that will help you make the most of your time stimulating the economy in Chicago.
Michigan Avenue and State Street are the primo shopping destinations in the city. With the Macy’s State Street Shopping Tour, you can enjoy an afternoon of exploring the second largest Macy’s in the world. With over 800,000 square feet of space, Macy’s State Street is sure to have something special for every person on your list. The Macy’s State Street tour includes a $25 gift card, chocolates, a tote bag, audio tour, and a Macy’s VIP savings pass. Your time at Macy’s will combine a fun day of shopping with an exploration of this Chicago landmark.
With so many store choices in the city, it is easy to be overwhelmed. The Chicago suburbs also have many shopping options for you. We offer two shopping tour options at Woodfield Mall, which is a 200-store shopping center located in Schaumberg, home of the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Each tour we offer includes a shopping tote, VIP savings booklet, and store directory. The Woodfield Mall offers major department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s as well as many specialty stores offering everything from designer shoes to perfume.
Shoppers looking for bargains cannot miss the Chicago Premium Outlets located in nearby Aurora. The Chicago Premium Outlet Package features a $25 gift card and a VIP coupon book. This outlet center offers visitors 120 different factory stores to explore, including Juicy Couture, Banana Republic, Armani, and DKNY. In addition, this center has many restaurants to refresh you during your day of shopping. This Chicago Premium Outlet Package offers the opportunity for huge savings, so don’t miss out on your shopportunity!
If you are already spending the Thanksgiving holidays in Chicago, these shopping activities are the perfect addition to your holiday that will give you an edge on Black Friday.
Experience World-Class Theater in Chicago This Fall
Many visitors to Chicago are unaware of its fantastic art scene. The theater district welcomes world-class off Broadway shows throughout the year. Past theater offerings have included Chicago and Mary Poppins. For the fall season, visitors have three fabulous show options to experience in Chicago.
From a comic strip, to a television show, to the Broadway stage, The Addams Family is known as America’s creepiest and strangest family. The theater version features the outstanding talent of headline actors Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia, the leaders of this ghoul-some family. The play follows the trials and tribulations of the family as they react to Wednesday’s search for love. The Addams Family Musical was created by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise, who also brought Jersey Boys to the stage.
This musical is playing at the Apollo Theater in Chicago. The play retells the story of the night that four musical legends met: Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The impromptu recording session that night marked the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The play features many of the popular songs from these artists, including Blue Suede Shows, Great Balls of Fire, and more. Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux.
This show gained acclaim when it debuted in New York, and now it is one of the most popular shows in Chicago. The musical has won four Tony awards, including the honor of Best Musical. Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The play follows the group from their start as blue collar boys in Jersey to their rise to fame as the most popular musical group in the nation. Set in the turbulent 1950s, Jersey Boys features the classic songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. This show combines the best of the 50s and the classic music of the original Jersey Boys.
Celebrate Film and Music in Chicago This October
Two upcoming events in Chicago are well-worth marking on your calendar and planning a trip to the Windy City. From music to film, everyone will find something to love about these festivals.
Chicago Country Music Festival
This festival will take place in Grant Park on October 3 through 4, and all performances are free to the public. This event features five different stages with performances available throughout each day. Three stages are devoted to music, and there is one stage especially for children. The fifth stage is dedicated to dancing, and visitors can find line dance demonstrations, open dancing, and square dancing. Headliners for this year’s event include Miranda Lambert, John Rich, Jamey Johnson, and The Flatlanders. This festival features performers from a range of backgrounds and genres, including contemporary country, bluegrass, and Latin-influenced country. This festival draws over 100,000 visitors annually. The festival is open each day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors can also find food vendors, a farmers’ market, and an art fair on site.
Chicago International Film Festival
The 45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival is set to take place October 8 through 21 at the AMC River East 21. This film festival has debuted films like Slumdog Millionaire and Reservoir Dogs that have gone to be highly acclaimed and award-winning films, and this year it is likely to screen more films that will go on to be very popular this season. Films scheduled to be screened include Precious, Astro Boy, Made in China, and Motherhood. Over 150 films will be shown over the two weeks of the festival, and festival goers can expect to see films from all over the world, including Japanese, German, and French films. At the end of the festival, the Best of Fest Hugo awards will be announced. The Chicago Film Festival may give you the opportunity to be among the first to see the films that will become this season’s most talked about movies, so do not miss your chance!
