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.
Jersey Boys
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!
Enjoy Labor Day and a Jazz Festival in Chicago
Labor Day weekend is a prime time to spend a leisurely weekend in Chicago. From doing some back to school shopping on Michigan Avenue to enjoying some final days in the summer sun on Lake Michigan, Chicago has many options for the upcoming holiday weekend, including one of the biggest Jazz events in the country. For this upcoming Labor Day weekend, you can join thousands of visitors to Chicago at the annual Chicago Jazz Festival. For the past thirty years, Chicago has attracted some of the best jazz musicians in the world to play at this festival, and this year boasts a fabulous lineup as well.
The Chicago Jazz Festival is set to take place September 4 to 6 at Grant Park. Admission to the festival is free, and all concerts are free. Concerts take place daily from 12 to 9:30 p.m. Four different stages are set up throughout the festival.
One stage is the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage, which will feature young jazz acts, including many high school groups from the area. The Petrillo Music Shell will be holding the evening concerts. Performers scheduled to perform include Dee Alexander, Dave Holland Big Band, the Amina Figarova Sextet, Fred Anderson, and Madeleine Peyroux. Other aspects of the festival include a tribute concert to Benny Goodman. There will also be food vendors available during the festival. For a taste of what has passed in Jazz and what is yet to come, the Chicago Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend is the place to be.
Lodging in Chicago is sure to go quickly during Labor Day weekend, so act now to reserve your room close to Grant Park and downtown Chicago. Hotels in downtown will place you close to a variety of attractions, including Grant Park, shopping on Michigan Mile, and the Theater District. To ensure that you have a room for the weekend, book online today!
Chicago Air and Water Show Offers Excitement for All Ages
The annual Chicago Air and Water Show is coming to the city August 15-16. As the largest air and water show in the United States, this event draws crowds from all over the city, state, and nation. The show began in 1959, and it just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since its humble beginnings as a Family Day Celebration, the Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest spectator event in the U.S.
Performers in this year’s air show include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and Leap Frogs, Aeroshell Acrobatic Team, Lima Lima Flight Crew, and the Firebirds. Each team will take to the air to show off their flying skills, performing stunning stunts that will amaze you. Each day features both air and water performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show takes place at the North Avenue Beach on Lakeshore Drive. Admission for this event is free.
Because admission to the show is free, you will have more money to make the most of your visit to Chicago. We offer many lodging options near the Air and Water Show and throughout Chicago. The W Chicago Lakeshore is the hotel closest to North Avenue Beach and Lake Michigan. The W is also close to Navy Pier, which offers legendary Chicago attractions, including the Ferris Wheel. Other sites close to The W include Wrigley Field, home of the legendary Chicago Cubs, John Hancock Tower, and Northwestern University. For relaxation and recreation, The W features the Bliss Spa Chicago as well as on-site restaurants.
To make the weekend of water activities complete, make reservations to join a sightseeing or dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. The Skyline Boat Tour and the Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises offer an afternoon evening of sightseeing in style while cruising on Lake Michigan. The Skyline Boat Tour features some of the best sightseeing in Chicago, and you will be able to enjoy the Chicago Skyline from the water. For a memorable lunch or dinner, chose the Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises. In addition to delicious meals, these cruises offer exceptional sightseeing in Chicago, including the Adler Planetarium, McCormick Place, and many other notable Chicago buildings.
Fireworks and Food: July 4th Celebrations in Chicago
Get ready to spend an awesome July 4th weekend in Chicago! If you have not already made plans, it is not too late to get in on the action in America’s third largest city. With special July 4th celebrations, you will be sure to have a great time celebrating America in one of its greatest cities.
One July 4th option is spending the day at Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. Year round the pier is a great destination with lots of restaurants, carnival-style games, an IMAX theater, and a Ferris Wheel, but July 4th turns this attraction into an exciting party. The July 4th Celebration at Navy Pier features a spectacular fireworks show and enough entertainment to keep you interested all night. Entertainment includes performances from a variety of local musicians. Located close to Michigan Avenue, you will be close to a variety of Chicago attractions as well.
The John Hancock Observatory offers the best views in the city, making it a perfect spot to watch the city’s fireworks displays on July 4th. The Observatory will be open on the 4th, and visitors will be able to watch the fireworks as well as see breathtaking views of Chicago. Located on Navy Pier, you will also be close to the action of the July 4th Celebration.
One of Chicago’s most popular events will also be occurring during July 4th weekend. The Taste of Chicago begins June 26 and lasts until July 5. Chicago is home to a lot of great food, from gourmet upscale establishments to authentic Chicago pizzerias, and you can sample the best of what the city has to offer at this great festival. Taking place in Grant Park, which is located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown, over 60 restaurants, cafes, and bars are participating in this event. Aside from the great food, the event includes a fireworks show on the evening of July 3rd, an appearance by renowned-chef Emeril Lagasse, book signings, and live musical performances. This event is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, and food tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Because of the holiday weekend, hotels are sure to fill up fast! Act quickly to reserve your room downtown to be close to all of the action!
Enjoy Famed Shows and Musicals in Chicago, IL This Summer
This summer presents the perfect time to visit one of the United State’s most illustrious cities – Chicago, Illinois! With sightseeing tours, theme parks, and a host of shopping options within the Chicago area, there is no shortage of activities to complete your family vacation. However, Chicago also has family vacation options that are perhaps less thought of. Chicago’s shows, musicals, and other live productions are enough to create a memorable stay in the Windy City.
Be prepared to be taken back to the primitive Middle Ages with an engrossing competition of skills and bravery. The Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament features six knights battling through jousting, hand-to-hand, and different stunt competitions to win the hand of a princess. And with a traditional four-course royal feast included with the performances, it’s easy to see why the show is regarded as one of the more popular dinner shows in the country. It may sound too violent for children, but in reality it is appropriate for every member of your family.
For the best in Chicago musical productions, it’s hard to beat Jersey Boys Chicago and Mary Poppins. The Jersey Boys show features a documentary-style theme to show the lives of the members of the 1960′s group The Four Seasons. The show specifically shows how four down-on-their-luck New Jersey boys emerged to became one of rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest sensations – all before they even reached 30 years old! For it’s success, the show has received a total of four Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. The Second Tony Award-winning show in Chicago, Mary Poppins, features a mix of scenes and songs from P.L. Travers’s story and the full-length film. With such songs as Let’s Go Fly a Kite and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, you and your family will enjoy a world-renowned production that you won’t soon forget.
Explore the Chicago Art Scene
Instead of just relaxing at the beach this summer, exercise your mind by taking in some of the cultural advantages of Chicago, America’s third largest city. On top of a host of museums and historic architecture, Chicago also offers special events that make this summer the perfect time to take advantage of the cultural opportunities Chicago has to offer.
Beginning June 1, Chicago’s Street Art Fair will take place daily in June in Hyde Park. Featuring artists from all over the United States, hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and photographs will be on display. Advertised as the oldest and largest art fair in the Midwest, the Street Art Fair is located in historic and beautiful Hyde Park, the neighborhood of Barack Obama. In addition to the Street Art Fair, Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago and numerous hotels and restaurants.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is home to a dazzling range of contemporary pieces. During the summer, the first Friday of each month offers free admission. With new exhibits continually coming, there is always something new and interesting to see at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Located on the Magnificent Mile, this museum is the perfect addition to any Chicago vacation.
The Go Chicago Card is the perfect way to take in as many of the world-class museums and attractions as you want to on your vacation. Featuring free admission to a variety of Chicago attractions including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Children’s Museum and admission into a variety of sightseeing tours, this card is an all-inclusive pass to the best of Chicago. Perfect for family vacations, these cards are a must-have for your next trip to Chicago. Cards may be bought for one day to seven days.
Popular Chicago Shopping Options
As the metropolitan Mecca of the Midwest, Chicago offers travelers a wide array of trendy shopping options ranging from outlet malls to Macy’s. And whether you’re looking to shop for the latest clothing fashions, hottest toys, or simply hoping to stroll into a few surprises, you’ll find shopping options abound in the Windy City.
Macy’s State Street Star Shopper
With Macy’s State Street Star Shopper Chicago visitors will be treated to a VIP shopping experience at Macy’s. A $25 gift card, exclusive 11% store-wide savings, and 4-piece box of Frango mint chocolates are all included in the package. As for the store itself, shoppers will find everything from Ralph Lauren to Izod, DKNYC to Calvin Klein. Aside from clothes, you’ll also find products for the kitchen, bed & bath, and jewelry and accessories.
Chicago Premium Outlet Package
The Chicago Premium Outlet Package offers both transportation to and from the Chicago Premium Outlets and a coupon book filled with hundreds of dollars in savings for a smart and convenient way to shop while in Chicago. Chicago Premium Outlets is home to over 120 outlet stores, including Giorgio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Wilson’s Leather, Bose, and Le Gourmet Chef. In addition to the wide range of stores, you’ll also find a variety of eateries offering everything from snacks to sit-down meals.
Woodfield Shopping Tour
In total, Woodfield Mall features 210 stores offering everything from clothing and toys to phone service, ensuring that you will be greeted by a full day of shopping excitement during your vacation to Chicago. And with the Woodfield Shopping Tour you’ll find two different options for making the most of your time at Woodfield Mall. For those looking to focus solely on finding great deals, the Woodfield Shop & Play offers a mall directory, specialty pen, and Passport to Savings booklet to help map out your shopping experience and save big! For those looking for a more leisurely time of shopping, the Shop & Dine package offers the same benefits of Shop & Play combined with a $20 gift certificate good towards dining at any restaurant in Woodfield Mall.
Showtime in Chicago!
Let Chicago come alive by catching a live show. Whether it’s a party of ten or just a romantic night for two, Chicago is bustling with variety and entertainment for all ages to enjoy. Shows that you can enjoy this spring include The Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, and as always the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
The Jersey Boys
The Jersey Boys is a musical based on the true life stories of Franki Valli and The Four Seasons, four rough and tumble blue-collar boys from the “wrong side of the tracks” who became pop rock sensations and sold over 175 million records before turning thirty. This musical will take you through New Jersey in the 1950s and the crime, drugs, and loan sharking that were part of the environment the Jersey Boys grew up in. This will be not only a compelling story, but also a great musical as it is set to the backdrop of many classic rock tunes. The show is sure to be energetic and inspiring.
Mary Poppins
You won’t want to miss the live production of Mary Poppins at the Cadillac Theatre in Chicago. The national tour of this show opens in Chicago so you will be among the first to witness this theatrical masterpiece. See this amazing show and tap along to your favorite Mary Poppins songs like A Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Finally, you can always come to the Chicago area to enjoy the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Marvel at the skillful displays of swashbuckling and horsemanship, put on by six knights as they compete in a medieval tournament. Cheer on your favorite knight as you gorge yourself on a four course meal served the medieval way- without silverware. The past will come to life as you enjoy the chivalry, the pageantry and the gallantry of medieval knights battling before you.
The Windy City will not leave you wanting for entertainment. With several outstanding shows to choose from, you will not be bored in Chicago. So bring your lover, your best friend, or your whole family and come vacation in Chicago!
