Celebrating the 4th of July in Chicago

In a couple weeks, the shores of Lake Michigan will burst with brightly colored lights and scores of people. Celebrating the 4th of July in the city of Chicago can be both an exhilarating and exhausting experience. There is so much to do and see, not only on Independence Day, but all summer long in Chicago that the City of Big Shoulders has become a popular tourist destination. One can easily plan a week's vacation around Chicago's 4th of July celebration.

The major firework display will take place on the eve of Independence Day at the usual place, off of Monroe Harbor, just east of the nightly light show at the spectacular Buckingham Fountain, which is a must see for an visitor to Chicago. The musically synchronized fireworks show, sponsored this year by Macy's (a sacrilege to some/most Chicagoans), will culminate a full day (and belly), of the annual Taste of Chicago. The Taste is held in the spaciousness of Grant Park, a few short yards west of Buckingham Fountain. All quite convenient. View the pyrotechnics while eating a Chicago style hotdog bathed in the red and green spray of the Fountain. Or listen to the Grant Park Orchestra synchronized extravaganza while lying at Monroe Harbor sipping an ice-cold beer with brilliant, multi-colored explosives over heard.

Lest you miss the Macy's Independence Eve Fireworks spectacular, you can catch just as impressive a display on the exact night of July 4th at Chicago's Navy Pier. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the sky over Chicago's lakefront is filled with a dazzling exhibit of lights and sounds every Wednesday and Saturday night. Only in Chicago, I believe, can you celebrate the 4th of July in grand fashion two nights in a row.

Whether you see Chicago's display on Independence eve or at Navy Pier on the 4th, one enchanting (and romantic, if you're so inclined) way to view either is by boat. Boat tours are available on the dock of Navy Pier, every day until midnight, with a variety of styles to suit most tastes. Chicago is host to five cruise ships that offer dining, dancing and of course, a view beneath the explosive visual display of bursting colors. The Tall Windy's, 150 foot, four-masted topsail schooners, also dock at Chicago's Navy Pier, and are available for both public and private tours. Think how fervent your date will be with a private cruise along the shores of Lake Michigan on Chicago's Official Tall Ship Ambassador with sparkling fireworks bursting overhead. The title of McDreamy solidly claimed! Even if you choose the firework public tour on one of Chicago's Seadog speedboats, it's still a fun time had by all.

As if spectacular fireworks displays synchronized with the Grant Park Orchestra, B96 or JackFM; the festive and delicious Taste of Chicago; romantic or exhilarating cruises were not enough excitement, if you visit Chicago to celebrate the 4th of July, 2007, you can also participate in Chicago Office of Tourism's Art of Play, a summer long celebration of toys, games and interactive play, going on though out the city of Chicago. Chicago Tourism Center on East Randolph Street features hands on games for adults and children; and it's just steps away from Chicago's magnificent Millennium Park, and all the 4th of July fun at Grant Park, the Taste of Chicago, and Navy Pier. When you're not eating, cruising, dancing or being pyrotechnically amazed, visit Niki In The Garden: The Extraordinary Sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle at Chicago's historic Garfield Conservatory. Free Niki In The Garden train rides to the Conservatory occur every weekend and begin at Chicago's Cultural Center across the street from the Tourism Center.

Chicago truly has become a tourist destination, and celebrating the 4th of July 2007 in Chicago is a great excuse, as if one is needed, to make those reservations today. The 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at the Taste of Chicago on Independence eve, 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Independence Day at Navy Pier, and all the other activities, events, food, music and fun that Chicago offers all year round, but especially during the summer.

Information for all events and activities noted above, or Chicago information in general, can be found at the City of Chicago's website: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do; Navy Pier's website: http://www.navypier.com; Chicago Office of Tourism: http://www.artofplaychicago.com/; and Chicago Cultural Center: www.chicagoculturalcenter.org.

Hope to celebrate the 4th of July with you in the great city of Chicago. Come on down!!