Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
that you bring a light jacket or
sweater. (And in the winter, however
fashionable you are trying to be, don't
think you can get by without a hat.)
For current conditions and
fore-
casts,
dial
&
312/976-1212
or check
www.chicagotribune.com and click on
“Weather.”
Chicago's Average Temperatures & Precipitation
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
High °F
20.2
33.9
44.3
58.8
70.0
79.4
85.3
82.1
75.5
64.1
48.2
35.0
°C
-6.5
1.0
6.8
14.9
21.1
26.3
29.6
27.8
24.4
17.8
8.99
1.67
Low °F
13.6
18.1
27.6
38.8
48.1
57.7
62.7
61.7
53.9
42.0
31.4
20.3
°C
-10.2
-7.7
-2.4
3.8
8.9
14.3
17
16.5
12.2
5.6
-0.3
-6.5
Rainfall (in.)
1.60
1.31
2.59
3.66
3.15
4.08
3.63
3.53
3.35
2.28
2.06
2.10
KIDS' FAVORITE
CHICAGO EVENTS
Chicago is a festival city, with ethnic
parades, food, music, art and flower fairs,
and street celebrations packing the calen-
dar. Particularly in the summer, it can be
tough to choose among activities. In winter
you'll have fewer choices, but some of the
perennial favorites take place then.
To discover the latest and greatest spe-
cial events in the city, ask the
Chicago
Office of Tourism
(
&
312/744-2400
) or
the
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
(
&
800/
2CONNECT
) to mail you a copy of Chicago
Calendar of Events, an excellent quarterly
publication that surveys special events,
including parades and street festivals, con-
certs and theatrical productions, and
museum exhibitions. Also ask to be sent the
latest materials produced by the
Mayor's
Office of Special Events
(
&
312/744-
3315,
or the Special Events Hot Line 312/
744-3315, TTY 312/744-2964), which keeps
current with citywide and neighborhood
festivals. You'll find food, music and flower
fairs, garden walks, and more.
Remember that new events might be
added every year, and that occasionally spe-
cial events are discontinued or rescheduled.
So, to avoid disappointment, be sure to tele-
phone in advance to the sponsoring organi-
zation, the Chicago Office of Tourism, or the
Mayor's Office of Special Events to verify
dates, times, and locations.
January
Chicago Cubs Convention.
Even
though April and Opening Day
seem (and are) very far away in Jan-
uary, Cubs fans dream of next sea-
son at this convention, held at the
Chicago Hilton and Towers. Players
sign autographs and collectors buy,
sell, and swap memorabilia. Call
&
773/404-CUBS
for more infor-
mation. Mid-January.
Azalea and Camellia Flower
Shows.
Just when you and the kids
are going to go stark-raving nuts
from cabin fever, the
Lincoln Park
Conservatory
(
&
312/742-7737
)
and
Garfield Park Conservatory
(
&
312/746-5100
) come alive
with spring-blooming flowers such
as azaleas, tulips, and hyacinths.
Late January or early February.
Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoor
Show,
McCormick Place, 23rd
Street and Lake Shore Drive
(
&
312/946-6262
). This extrava-
ganza has been a Chicago tradition
for nearly 70 years. All the latest
boats and recreational vehicles are
on display, plus there's trout fishing,
a climbing wall, boating-safety sem-
inars, and big-time entertainment.
Late January.
February
Chinese New Year Parade,
Went-
worth and Cermak streets (
&
312/
326-5320
). The twisting dragon is
sure to please kids as it winds down
the street at this annual celebration.
Call to verify the date, which varies
from year to year, depending on the
lunar calendar (usually between Jan
21 and Feb 19).
Chicago Auto Show,
McCormick
Place, 23rd Street and Lake Shore