Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grant Park Music Festival,
Pritzker Music Pavilion, Randolph
Street and Columbus Drive, Millennium Park (
&
312/742-
7638;
www.grantparkmusicfestival.com). The free outdoor musi-
cal concerts in the park begin the last week in June and continue
through August.
Taste of Chicago,
Grant Park (
&
312/744-3315
). The city claims
that this is the largest free outdoor food fest in the nation. Over 10
days of feasting in the streets, scores of Chicago restaurants cart
their fare to food stands set up throughout the park. To avoid the
heaviest crowds, try going on weekdays earlier in the day. Admis-
sion is free; you pay for the sampling. June 27 through July 6.
July
Independence Day Celebration
(
&
312/744-3315
). Chicago
celebrates the holiday on the 3rd of July. Concerts and fireworks
are the highlights of the festivities in Grant Park. Expect huge
crowds. July 3.
Sheffield Garden Walk,
starting at Sheffield and Webster avenues
(
&
773/929-9255;
www.sheffieldfestivals.org). Here's your
chance to snoop in the lush backyards of Lincoln Park homeown-
ers. Bands, children's activities, and food and drink tents attract
lots of singles and young families. July 19 and 20.
Dearborn Garden Walk & Heritage Festival,
North Dearborn
and Astor streets (
&
312/632-1241;
http://dearborngarden-
walk.com). This event allows regular folks to peer into private gar-
dens on the Gold Coast, one of the most expensive and exclusive
neighborhoods in the city. July 13.
Chicago SummerDance,
east side of South Michigan Avenue
between Balbo and Harrison streets (
&
312/742-4007
). From
July through late August, the city's Department of Cultural Affairs
transforms a patch of Grant Park into a lighted outdoor dance
venue on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 to 9:30pm, and
Sunday from 4 to 7pm. One-hour lessons are offered from 6 to
7pm. Free admission.
Venetian Night,
Monroe Harbor to the Adler Planetarium
(
&
312/744-3315
). This carnival of illuminated boats on the
lake is complete with fireworks and synchronized music by the
Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Last Saturday in July.
August
Northalsted Market Days,
Halsted Street between Belmont
Avenue and Addison Street (
&
773/868-3010;
www.northalsted.
com). The largest of the city's street festivals, held in the heart of
