Another cruise line is about to relaunch after not operating for many months — in a place that typically doesn't get a lot of cruise ships.
12.07.2024 - 18:49 / cntraveler.com
Chicago's 4th of July fireworks 2024 promise to be one of the best ways to experience the Windy City's summertime magic. As always, Navy Pier spotlights the season, hosting dazzling fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday—including Wednesday, July 3 and Saturday, July 6. Arrive to the shoreline early for a spot, or explore a number of other vantage points across the city. Below, see the best places to watch the 4th of July fireworks in Chicago this year—from skyscrapers to river cruises (and plenty in between).
Navy Pier's fireworks are a can't-miss summer tradition.
You can enjoy fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m. throughout the summer. Note that their special Independence Day display, presented by Choose Chicago and NASCAR, will be on July 3.
The pier juts into Lake Michigan for the length of six city blocks and it offers amazing views over the water, but the nearby lakeshore is also a perfect place to catch the action. Arrive early for free musical performances at the Navy Pier Beer Garden on Wednesday, July 3: Brandon Goode (country) plays at 1 p.m.; Toronzo Cannon (blues) at 3 p.m.; and Stache (variety cover band) at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 6, Fernando Jones (blues) plays at 2 p.m.; Joanna Connor (blues) comes on at 5:30 p.m.; and The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. (funk/dance) performs at 9 p.m.—plus free DJ sets on the Wave Wall Stage.
On July 3, catch the NASCAR Chicago Family Fest (2 p.m. to 9 p.m.), where families can enjoy free, Pier-wide activities, such as NASCAR show cars photo opps, an iRacing pros live competition, a new Kids Gaming Garage, and remote-control car racing (on a scaled replica of the NASCAR Chicago Street Course). For the ultimate summer night, stick around the Pier and try to time a ride on the 200-foot Centennial Ferris Wheel to the start of the fireworks show.
For dinner with your show, head to nearby Reunion, where chef Art Smith serves some of his signature Southern-inspired plates. Settle in at the 200-seat patio for orders of shrimp and grits and jambalaya, and save room for dessert—on Wednesdays, their Sip and Slice promo ($17) features a glass of Champagne or Aperol Spritz with a slice of Smith’s famous Hummingbird Cake. Enjoy it all alongside live music multiple times a week, including on fireworks days (Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
The St. Regis Chicago opened its doors last year, bringing with it sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Stay overnight to turn it into a holiday weekend, or book in at its rooftop restaurant Miru, where chef Hisanobu Osaka (Morimoto, Daniel) serves a pristine array of nigiri and signature maki. Do explore the rest
Another cruise line is about to relaunch after not operating for many months — in a place that typically doesn't get a lot of cruise ships.
Jul 22, 2024 • 7 min read
One June morning, I went to see what the tourists were up to in Chicago, where I live. My mission was to join them while adhering to a strict travel budget. So I started with a free Chicago Greeter tour of the downtown Loop, ground zero for visitors and home to popular attractions like Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Have you always dreamed of engaging in a virtual F-16 battle? Do you wish to play commercial airline captain for a day while attempting a landing at the world's busiest airport? You don't have to wait too long or travel too far to fulfill your AvGeek fantasies.
From Chicago to Metropolis, Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 folk opus Illinois packs what feels like a whole nation’s history into the borders of one state. Covering everything from the World’s Fair and UFO sightings to the invention of cream of wheat, the album captivated listeners far beyond the Midwest.
Planning a fall trip just got easier with up to 25 percent off hotel stays with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ latest sale.
Despite rising prices, hotel guests are looking for luxury, according to a new ranking. New research from the North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index from firm J.D. Power reveals insights of how travelers have ranked hotel chains based on their own experiences at the property. The top luxury property brand was The Luxury Collection, which is a part of Marriott, and includes popular hotels such as The Phoenician in Scottsdale, The Gwen in Chicago, and the Hotel Imperial in Vienna.
Jul 17, 2024 • 8 min read
First Hospitality announces Roger Baker’s transition from CFO to CIO and Advisor, with Matt Schuster stepping in as the new CFO, continuing the company’s strategic growth and financial leadership.
Erik Grazetti appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The St. Regis Chicago, leading sales efforts at the luxury hotel.
When Cadie Carroll and two college friends planned a recent weekend reunion in Sedona, Ariz., they booked a vacation rental to have more space than a hotel room and to be able to cook, something they enjoyed doing together at the University of Texas.
I'm zooming across Gull Lake in a Malibu Wakesetter 22 LSV powerboat, which I've been told has enough torque to rocket me to the moon. The water is 77 degrees, warmed by a sun that just won't quit. Captain Amanda Nash and instructor Matt Soundy barely look old enough to drink, yet both are skilled wake surfers, excited to show me their TikTok moves. They're living the wet, hot American dream here in central Minnesota: zigzagging across six-foot swells, sucking down root beer floats, and partying every night after work. They're fun gossips too, pointing out the rumored lake homes of Tom Cruise and some med-tech bajillionaire who allegedly imported his own beach sand because the lake sand wasn't “white enough.” I enjoy the chitchat, but I'm here to launch my own wakeboarding career—one of several ways I'm trying to embrace the “lake life” I've heard so much about since moving to Minnesota six years ago. The state is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” as its license plates proudly attest, but as my New Yorker husband, Andrew, and I learned, that motto rounds the number down: There are actually 11,842, if you want to get persnickety about it.