Help Chicagoians! July 3rd fireworks hints please!

[robinb]

Hi everyone . I am coming into Chicago for the July 4th weekend. We're going to the Cubs game on July 3rd and we're staying at the Embassy Suites on State Street. I am from Chicago, so I know the area and I get back to the city many times a year because I have season tickets and my family lives on the South Side. But ... I have lived in Wisconsin for a very long time and I have not been in the city for the fireworks in (*mumble*mumble*) close to 20 years.

Anyway ... my DH, my DD (9), her cousin (10) and I want to come home from the game and then head over to Grant park to nosh at Taste of Chicago and then see the fireworks. yes. I know it will be crowed. I'm OK with that and the rest of my family handles crowds well, although I am not sure about my niece.

I feel kinda silly asking this, but will I be able to put a blanket out before we go to the game, or will it just be balled up, hijacked or taken? I am not worried about LOSING the blanket as much as losing the SPOT. If leaving a blanket is not advisable or I can't make it there in advance, where is a good spot that is still available between say 6-7pm? I know it won't be the BEST as those are taken earlier, but "good enough" is good enough with me. I assume that the Prime Spots are up near the Millennium Park near the bandshell and not farther south near Congress Parkway. Speaking of which, should I bring a radio? Do they broadcast the music? When I last went we would spend the whole day camped out in front of the old bandshell and make forays for food and beverages.

One more thing ... I can still book the Hilton Chicago on Michigan for about $6 more per night than the Embassy Suites but I lose the 2nd room for the kids and the made to order breakfast (DH is HH Diamond, so we'll still be able to eat in the lounge). He almost always gets a lake view when staying there and I guess our fall back could be watching the fireworks from the room if that's the case. The view is pretty good from the Executive Floor and we're high enough to see over the trees.

So ... what's your favorite last minute spot (OK, 2-3 hours before spot) and should I change from the ES to the Hilton? Thanks everyone ... it's kinda strange being a tourist in your old home town!

 

[FINFAN]

Hi Robin.....OK, it will be beyond jammed...cubs game, Taste, FW....While the ES is ideal for your needs, I think the Hilton may be the better choice based on the fireworks. As far as setting out a blanket, you are right on target about needing to get it out before the game...I usually stake the cheapo plastic tablecoths from the $1 store down...and many will put mini stakes in the ground and then run string around them w/a flag and this is key...a mylar balloon...finding your spot later in the day will be maddening. No way to predict if the balloon will disappear on you, but if the blanket is staked in, most will not bother it. you will find it has been *shrunk* down a bit. other blankets over it on the sides etc.
You can bring a radio if you like, usually there is someone within earshot who has one. Millenium will be the optimum spot...if you are back in the Hilton...just wait till you hear the *boom* off the buildings....we were down one night and had to leave..were just off of Art Institute walking toward Union Station and we thought WW3 had started! it was FW..I can't even remember what it was for, not Venetian night, not July 3... but scared the you -know-what out of us..lol....enjoy the Cubbies....if you grab a bite at the Taste, just go with the flow of traffic, and avoid the porta potties... they will be quite "ripe" by then.
Sounds like a great plan...we MAY head down on the 3rd...waiting to see the weather report, just like WDW a few years back...we'll be at the same place at the same time!


Pam

 

[nd5056]

And under any circumstances, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to drive anywhere near the Lakefront starting very early in the afternoon.

As for the blanket, think of it this way – you may be standing few feet away from it and may not be able to see it. Right by the lake, it will get so crowded, there isn’t going to be any walking around, just squeezing around. People will ignore your “excuse me” and don’t move simply because there is no room to even move anywhere.

And a empty blanket will not survive once it starts getting crowded.

 

[ChloroFiend]

Call me cynical, but I wouldn't expect an unattended blanket to fare very well.

As far as spots go...figure most of the people will be down in the parks. We've hit up Navy Pier a few times...its busy, but doable.

 

[freckles and boo]

There will probably be a million (literally one million) people in the area for the fireworks. I think staking down a blanket without someone to keep an eye on it will be a waste of time. Your chance of finding it again is slim to none. People are packed together like crayons in a box.

 

[Evil Genius]

You want to leave a blanket for hours and expect be able to find the spot where you left it with a million people around? You'd end up wasting your time trying to figure out exactly where you left it, and it would be highly doubtful that it would be there anyway.

Seriously, it's hot, it's crowded, there' are the drunks, I just don't see where it's worth the hassle just to see fireworks.

 

[robinb]

Yes, I guess I was hoping to leave a blanket and try to find it. I am able to do it here in Madison for our annual Rhythm and Booms fireworks and we pack in 200,000 people in a smaller area.

So ... if I give up on the blanket idea (I will probably not have time to dump one anyway), how about an alternative? I'm not a huge Navy Pier fan. What about the area near the Shedd?

BTW, my DH is objecting to giving up the suite *sigh*.

 

[FINFAN]

Maybe if you stay at Wrigley you will have some elbow room? Sorry Robin...I was sort of pulling for the Hilton to solve your dilemma. People are gonna be jammed everywhere, were you planning on leaving your car at the ES and catching a cab south to Grant Park? We usually walk the bike path from Navy Pier to Grant...but not a great idea at night. The concert is to start at 7:30 I think, fireworks at 9:30. Going by the Shedd does take you further South meaning a longer treck back to ES in the crowds, maybe just head down to the bike path anyway and figure you will be standing amongst the masses, many will be on the bridge over Columbus to Milennium park..what time is the game? if it's a 1:20...you may have time to still find a space. I know you said you are not a fan of Naby Pier, but in this case since it is so close to your hotel, may be the best option. Not sure if there is concert going on at Northerly Island to further complicating things. I guess you may just have to wing it...mill about like many do, and then stop right where you are once the show begins.

Sorry not of more help, hope you can enjoy the day! GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!

 

[robinb]

Maybe if you stay at Wrigley you will have some elbow room? Sorry Robin...I was sort of pulling for the Hilton to solve your dilemma. People are gonna be jammed everywhere, were you planning on leaving your car at the ES and catching a cab south to Grant Park? We usually walk the bike path from Navy Pier to Grant...but not a great idea at night. The concert is to start at 7:30 I think, fireworks at 9:30. Going by the Shedd does take you further South meaning a longer treck back to ES in the crowds, maybe just head down to the bike path anyway and figure you will be standing amongst the masses, many will be on the bridge over Columbus to Milennium park..what time is the game? if it's a 1:20...you may have time to still find a space. I know you said you are not a fan of Naby Pier, but in this case since it is so close to your hotel, may be the best option. Not sure if there is concert going on at Northerly Island to further complicating things. I guess you may just have to wing it...mill about like many do, and then stop right where you are once the show begins.

Sorry not of more help, hope you can enjoy the day! GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!

Actually, we will probably just leave the car up in a legal place near Wrigley as we'll be there for games on Fri, Sat & Sun and we can pick up the car on Sunday and drive back to the south side to pick up my DD. She's there only for Friday's game and then she's going to my sister's for the rest of the weekend.

I had planned on walking to/from the ES to the park (*another* reason to stay at the Hilton! It's almost a mile and a half to the park!). It's on State Street and just a couple of blocks north of the river. The game is at 1:20 which means we'll be back at the hotel around 5:30 I think. Just in time for the manager's reception ... gotta keep my LOTW status, LOL!

I have a blanket that rolls up and has a little carrying loop for Badger games so I think I'll bring that in case a small piece of real estate opens up. Thanks for all your help!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

You are braver than we are. We used to live behind the Hilton, and we still wouldn't go out to the Taste and fireworks on July 3.

Your blanket probably won't make it, but you may be able to find somewhere to watch the fireworks. The park areas by Shedd are among the last to fill, but they still fill up by around 7:30. If you want to cut down your walk from that area, you can take the 146 from the Museum Campus up to River North. You could also take the Red Line from Roosevelt up to Grand.

The music is broadcast over the loudspeakers in the park on the harbor. Otherwise, you'll need to eavesdrop on another radio. Good luck!

 

[robinb]

You are braver than we are. We used to live behind the Hilton, and we still wouldn't go out to the Taste and fireworks on July 3.

Your blanket probably won't make it, but you may be able to find somewhere to watch the fireworks. The park areas by Shedd are among the last to fill, but they still fill up by around 7:30. If you want to cut down your walk from that area, you can take the 146 from the Museum Campus up to River North. You could also take the Red Line from Roosevelt up to Grand.

The music is broadcast over the loudspeakers in the park on the harbor. Otherwise, you'll need to eavesdrop on another radio. Good luck!

Thanks for the idea! We could easily take the el south from Grand if my DH insists on the ES.

Do you know ... is the view OK there near the Shedd?

 

[nd5056]

...
So ... if I give up on the blanket idea (I will probably not have time to dump one anyway), how about an alternative? ...

I'd do THIS:, it's worth every penny.

Anywhere near the water where you can actually see anything... you'll learn how they pack sardines in the can...

My favorite, but little more $$ is Odyssey...

 

[robinb]

I'd do THIS:, it's worth every penny.

Anywhere near the water where you can actually see anything... you'll learn how they pack sardines in the can...

My favorite, but little more $$ is Odyssey...

That looks like a great idea and thanks for looking it up for me . As an ex-Chicagoian I just don't think about the normal touristy things like taking a boat ride. However, at $120 per person (PLUS tax, fuel charges and tip) for 4 people it's really too expensive. I guess I'll be a cheap sardine, LOL.

Now the SeaDog is $66 each (no dinner) and that's more in my price range. It looks like it leaves from the Shedd. Hmm ...

 

[kydisneyfans]

After reading the boards here and on tripadvisor, we have decided not to attempt Chicago on the 3rd. We are going to stay inland and do some things, then will visit the Lakefront to see Navy Pier's fireworks on the 4th.

 

[freckles and boo]

After reading the boards here and on tripadvisor, we have decided not to attempt Chicago on the 3rd. We are going to stay inland and do some things, then will visit the Lakefront to see Navy Pier's fireworks on the 4th.

Your post just reminded me of the obvious -
Dozens of suburbs are also having municipal fireworks displays on July 3 and July 4. Of course, they are not as spectacular but you also won't wait two hours for a train or half an hour for a putrid port-a-potty when it is over.

 

[nd5056]

...I guess I'll be a cheap sardine, LOL.
...

more info:

Taste of Chicago Web site:


3rd of July Fireworks

MUST SEE!!! HERE: You can see someone pics (how crowded it gets long before the Fireworks)from that event...

Other Chicagoland Fireworks Displays

 

[robinb]

more info:

Taste of Chicago Web site:


3rd of July Fireworks

MUST SEE!!! HERE: You can see someone pics (how crowded it gets long before the Fireworks)from that event...

Other Chicagoland Fireworks Displays

Great pictures!

I was actually thinking it didn't look as bad as this:

or this ...

Or this ...

Or this ...

We go to WDW for NYE. We know all about sardines and busy .

 

[nd5056]

...I was actually thinking it didn't look as bad as this...

Don't know... but something tells me we can top it...

As long as you're not on the boat watching the Fireworks, please share your experience when you're back home.

.

 

[Tumblwd501]

Your post just reminded me of the obvious -
Dozens of suburbs are also having municipal fireworks displays on July 3 and July 4. Of course, they are not as spectacular but you also won't wait two hours for a train or half an hour for a putrid port-a-potty when it is over.

I don't have any additional viewing spots to suggest, as there have been plenty of good ones already. But freckles and boo's port-a-potty comment reminded me that I've probably spent more time waiting in line for the dang port-a-potties than at any of the Taste vendors! I was seriously considering Depends for future 3rd of July fireworks! lol (Sorry, I know, TMI!)

Oh, and I hope you guys get to hear a lot of "Go Cubs Go!" after the games!

 

[GabbyMom]

I'm headed down for the fireworks at about 3pm. We have a group of about 7 joining us. We can save room for your family too, no problem. PM me and we can exchange numbers.

We usually sit just north of Buckingham fountain on the lawn near the flower beds, or further north close to the Breast Cancer Garden.

If you try to put down a blanket and leave it unattended it will become someone elses quickly.

*Tip* bring Cutter or other bug repellent, mosquitoes out there at night will eat you alive.