Visiting Chicago

Spring and summer in Chicago – choose Wrigley Field, north of downtown, for a Cubs game or travel south to US Cellular Field for the excitement of the Chicago White Sox. Baseball is a Chicago tradition and the 2013 season is here, with the White Sox opening Day on April 1, and the Cubs home opener on April 8th. Along with sports, Chi Town welcomes the season with blooms, music and arts. The Spring Flower Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory inspires gardeners through early May, while the 5th Annual Millennium Art Festival fills downtown with art, music and fun at the end of May.

Chicago celebrates the season from Memorial Day through Labor Day with Fireworks from Navy Pier. Travelers to the Windy City are treated to a spectacular fireworks display over the waters of Lake Michigan Wednesday and Saturday evenings through summer. For a close up of the show, join the fun at Navy Pier in Chicago Harbor.

Chicago loves music and this is the season to enjoy the sounds of events, both big and small. The Chicago Blues Festival is the city’s largest music festival, featuring five stages of continuous live performances over four days. Enjoy intimate community gathering like the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival in Lakeview north of downtown Chicago.

The Central Lakeview Merchants Association presents the 2013 Memorial Day weekend Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, May 25th and 26th. Launching the start of summer fun and neighborhood festivities, this Lakeview music festival features an arts market, food and libations in addition to top local and regional musicians.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2013 Chicago Blues Festival fills Grant Park, June 6th through 9th. Billed as the Blues Capital of the World, Chicago kicks off events in Millennium Park at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with performer Bobby Rush. The 2013 theme is "Rollin’ Up the River" featuring performances by Shemekia Copeland and Quinn Sullivan among the stellar lineup.

Art lovers be sure to visit the Art Institute of Chicago for the Picasso and Chicago Exhibition in Regenstein Hall. The 2013 exhibit runs through May 12th, showcasing over 250 works from the Art Institute collection and private collections. The Picasso and Chicago exhibit features paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and ceramics celebrating the full breadth of Picasso’s works.

Chicago Hotel Map