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From the archives: July 02, 2009
It's time for a patriotic party to celebrate the good old US of A's birthday. Scarf some of Chicago's best all-American eats, catch fireworks displays on the lake front and get your annual "1812 Overture" fix in Grant Park. We've got everything you need for a fun-filled holiday weekend.
On this page:Parties & Pyrotechnics, All-American Eats.
Parties & Pyrotechnics
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Grant Park
Read Reviews337 E Randolph, Chicago, IL 60602 (map)
City of Chicago Independence Eve Fireworks--Friday, July 3, 9:30pm. Strangely, Chicago launches its main fireworks show on July 3 instead of July 4, but we're all about spreading the celebration out over two nights. The big display is staged over Lake Michigan, from Monroe Harbor, so set up camp near the lake anywhere from Navy Pier to Soldier Field for a prime view. Since Grant Park will be all abuzz with the Taste of Chicago, we advise grabbing a few pieces of Harold's Fried Chicken or an Original Rainbow Cone and catching the 85th Army Band performing patriotic tunes at the Petrillo Music Shell at 7:30pm, before the fireworks begin.
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Millennium Park
Read Reviews55 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
Grant Park Orchestra Concert--July 4, 1:30pm. For the first time ever, the Grant Park Orchestra won't be playing in the July 3 fireworks display this year. Instead, they'll perform a family-friendly afternoon show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on July 4. All of your flag-waving favorites will be covered, from the "Star-Spangled Banner" to "America the Beautiful" to, yes, "1812 Overture." But this show has a special twist: Tap dancer Lane Alexander will perform with the orchestra, adding another layer of percussive beats, not to mention fancy footwork.
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Navy Pier
Read Reviews600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
Fourth of July Fireworks--Saturday, July 4, 9pm. Why stop at one night of explosions in the sky when you can have two (see Grant Park for numero uno)? Navy Pier will be providing a special extended version of its weekly Saturday evening fireworks display on July 4, with a patriotic soundtrack.
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Spirit of Chicago Dining Cruise
Read Reviews600 E Grand Ave at Navy Pier , Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
Fireworks Dinner Cruises--Friday, July 3, 7:30pm; Saturday, July 4, 7:45pm; $119 per person. What's even more amazing than the view of the fireworks from the Chicago lake front? The view of the fireworks from Lake Michigan, with the Chicago skyline behind it. Add to that a buffet dinner, dancing to live music and a DJ (conga lines encouraged) and, oh yeah, three hours of open bar. We wager that by the end of the night you'll be feeling the patriotic spirit.
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Wrigley Field
Read Reviews1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)
Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers--Friday, July 3, 1:20pm; Saturday, July 4, 12:05pm; Sunday, July 5, 1:20pm. This Independence Day weekend, you can get an up-close look at another dearly held Chicago tradition: the rivalry between the Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. The two teams--separated by only 83.3 miles of Interstate 94--will face off in afternoon games at Wrigley Field, Friday through Sunday. Even if you don't fork over the bucks to get inside the park, there will be no shortage of parties in the Wrigleyville bars.
All-American Eats
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Goose Island Clybourn
Read Reviews1800 North Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
Chicago's most famous craft brewery is best known for its award-winning ales, stouts and lagers, but its Chicago-style craft root beer, with notes of vanilla and wintergreen, deserves just as much attention. Stop by the original brewpub on Clybourn Avenue for a frothy, creamy trip down memory lane: the root beer float.
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Hot Doug's
Read Reviews3324 North California, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)
Oh, lucky you. Because the July Fourth holiday falls on a Saturday this year, not only will you be able to choose from Doug Sohn's incredible selection of "encased meats"--we'd go for the Paul Kelly, a classic beer-soaked brat, ourselves--but you'll also have access to the infamous duck fat fries that he only serves on Fridays and Saturdays. We think they're worthy of a parade, all by themselves.
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Pie
Write a review615 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
If you didn't know it was there, you could walk right past Pie, in the back of Epoch Floral's State Street storefront, and never be the wiser. However, follow your nose inside, and you'll be greeted by some of Chicago's best homemade pies, begging to be taken home to your backyard cookout. We love the blueberry and key lime varieties ourselves, but on the Fourth of July? Classic apple, all the way. Call ahead to reserve one; we have a feeling it might be a popular pick that weekend.
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Smoque BBQ
Read Reviews3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (map)
This Old Irving Park joint turns out an intoxicating array of smoked, slathered meats, from St. Louis ribs to Texas-style brisket to pulled-pork sandwiches, not to mention the dense, creamy mac 'n' cheese and vinegary coleslaw. If you can, try to save room for the incredible peach cobbler. Even if you can't, get it anyway.
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Top Notch Beefburger
Read Reviews2116 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643 (map)
The namesake is the main attraction at this friendly, old-fashioned Beverly diner where the owner still flips burgers wearing a paper boat hat as regulars chat at the diner counter. Burgers don't get any fresher: The beef patties are ground daily and served with the staples--lettuce, tomato, mayo, raw or grilled onions and pickles--fortified by a hearty helping of hand-cut fries.
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