Get help planning at www.summerinchicago.com. Find information about finding restaurants, attractions, hidden spots and the best views of Chicago's famous skyline.
People also can visit Chicago's Urban Adventures Headquarters in the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center to get information, maps and brochures all year at the Cultural Center.
(Press Release)
CHICAGO WELCOMES YOU FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Celebrate the end of summer in Chicago! Spend Labor Day in the Second City and enjoy the summer's last holiday by browsing antique fairs, visiting lakefront beaches, experiencing the Chicago Jazz Festival, or attending a Major League Baseball game. Start your weekend off by visiting Chicago's Urban Adventures Headquarters, where Chicago's Urban Rangers will help you chart your trek into the city. The Urban Adventures Headquarters is located in the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center, 77 E. Randolph Street. For more information or to book accommodations visit www.summerinchicago.com or call 877-CHICAGO.
Fireworks
Have a blast! Enjoy free lakefront firework displays all weekend long. Festivities begin Saturday, August 30th at Chicago's Navy Pier. The show starts at 10:15PM. Can't get enough? Come back to Navy Pier on Sunday, August 31st and watch the fireworks ignite at 9:30PM. For more information, please visit www.navypier.com.
30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
Groove all weekend long at the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. This Labor Day weekend tradition begins with a free evening concert at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Thursday, August 28, and then moves to Grant Park for three days of free music, August 29-31. Performers include Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Gerald Wilson Orchestra, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. In addition to this year's incredible line-up of Chicago's and the world's greatest jazz musicians, the Chicago Jazz Festival features an art fair, food vendors, and a new kid's activity area. For more information, please visit www.chicagojazzfestival.us
Chicago's lakefront beaches
The Chicago Park District manages the city's 29 lakefront beaches for the enjoyment of Chicago families and visitors. Chicago's lakefront is also home to the lakefront trail, volleyball, soccer, concessions, golf courses, harbors, bird sanctuaries, and natural areas. Admission to Chicago's beaches is free and open to the public. Lifeguards are on duty through September 1. For more information, please visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Chicago Kids Audio Tour
Do you know what ingredients it takes to make a real Chicago hot dog or why the "L" goes around the Loop? Find out with the free Chicago for Kids audio tour and interactive web site, a new way for young Chicagoans and visitors from around the globe to learn more about Chicago. The audio tour and website takes kids on adventures throughout the city and features eight destinations, plus games and challenges that highlight the rich culture and history of Chicago. The Chicago for Kids audio tour, produced by the Chicago Office of Tourism, can be downloaded at www.downloadchicagotours.com.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Experience world-class contemporary art at the Jeff Koons exhibition. Koons' work includes paintings and sculptures that transform everyday objects and fantasies into high art. Located steps from Michigan Avenue, the MCA also displays paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, films and performances. Admission to the museum is $6-10 and free on Tuesdays. For more information, please visit http://www.mcachicago.org
Bash on Wabash
Venture into Chicago's South Loop for Bash on Wabash August 30-31. Bash on Wabash features national music headliners, continuous live music, a wide variety of food choices, including some top area restaurants, beer and wine, upscale arts and crafts, and an elaborate kid's area with games and rides such as Willie Wonka, Moon Walk and climbing walls. Performers include Waco Brothers, School of Rock, and Mucca Pazza. Just blocks from downtown, this South Loop festival is fun for the whole family. Admission is a $5 donation. For more information please call 773-868-3010 or visit http://www.chicagoevents.com/.
Fifth Annual Randolph Street Market Festival
Shop antiques and designers alike at the Fifth Annual Randolph Street Market Festival August 30-31. The market is the largest European-style flea market in the Midwest and is located in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood at the Beaux Arts Plumbers Hall Complex. Featuring more than 200 antique dealers selling everything from high-end antiques to vintage collectibles, the indoor/outdoor Chicago Antique Market has earned a national reputation as one of the finest in North America, comparable to the Paris Flea Market. Chicago fashion and jewelry designers Lara Miller, Erin Gallagher, Phizza'z, and more sell original and one of kind pieces. Take a break from browsing and enjoy live music, local food vendors, and a farmer's market. Admission is $10 and allows for repeat admission all weekend. Children under 12 are free. For more information, please call 312-666-1200 or visit http://www.chicagoantiquemarket.com/.
Taste of Polonia
Dance the polka and dine on pierogi at the Taste of Polonia August 29- September 1. One of the most popular ethnic fests in Chicago, the festival draws crowds of close to 40,000 during its four-day span. The Taste celebrates rich Polish heritage, customs and traditions through music, dance, cuisine and folk art. During the festival, food vendors serve delicious Polish cuisine, and there is a variety of non-stop live entertainment, games of skill and chance, performances by ethnic dancers and musical groups, and original arts and crafts. Admission ranges from $3-7 and children under 12 are free. For more information, please call 773-777-8898 or visit http://www.copernicusfdn.org/.
Baseball
Complete your trip to the Windy City with a stop by Wrigley Field. Located on Chicago's North Side and home to the Cubs, Wrigley Field hosts the Philadelphia Phillies for a four-day series beginning Thursday, August 28. Indulge in a famous Chicago-style hotdog, and catch a Major League game at this historic ballpark. Wrigley Field is easily accessible by car or on Chicago's rapid transit system. For more information, please visit http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com
African Festival of the Arts
Celebrate African culture at the 19th Annual African Festival of the Arts from August 29-September 1. This Labor Day weekend event transforms Chicago's Washington Park into an authentic African village complete with three stages of spectacular entertainment, an African Marketplace showcasing authentic art and culture, luscious African cuisine, cultural pavilions, and fantastic family fun, More than 250,000 attendees can enjoy interactive experiences with artists and artisans sharing their gifts and talents, or engage in community forums and village meetings to discuss social and cultural issues. The festival also includes performances by dozens of different musicians featuring Kool and the Gang, Rachelle Ferrell, Diblo Dibala, Nicholas Payton, Big Daddy Kane and Black Sheep. Admission is $5-15 and weekend passes are available. For more information, please call 773-955-2787 or visit http://www.africainternationalhouse.org/2008/index.html.
Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll-free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246), or visiting www.cityofchicago.org/tourism. Brochures and information on Chicago's exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, please call 1-312-201-8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294.
The Chicago Office of Tourism, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, is the official City agency dedicated to promoting Chicago to domestic and international visitors and to providing innovative visitor programs and services.
