Memorial Day fireworks
It trace the official start of the summer in Chicago, and the city knows how to celebrate it. Memorial Day Fireworks Every year, Chicago comes alive with spectacular fireworks shows, lively rooftop bars, sunset kayaking tours, fun neighborhood festivals, waterfront restaurants with unforgettable views, and more.
Here’s our roundup of some of the best things to do in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend.
One of the city’s top attractions is Navy Pier, a stretch of waterfront with attractions, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.
During your stay, take a ride on the iconic Centennial Wheel, grab a drink at Offshore (the world’s largest rooftop bar) and see what else there is to do at Navy Pier.
To go to the beach
In the summer, the Chicago River is a lively place. Rent a kayak and paddle through the heart of the city, where you can get up close and personal with the bustling Chicago Riverwalk and some of the city’s most famous buildings.
You can also take a sunset or dusk tour, a fireworks tour, a happy hour paddle tour, a Chicago history tour, and more.to eat out La Vaca Margarita Bar
Memorial Day weekend
It is the perfect time for outdoor dining in Chicago, whether you’re sipping wine on a waterfront patio or enjoying handcrafted cocktails on a quaint rooftop terrace.
• Check out our outdoor dining guide for some of the best patios in the city
• Do you want to have dinner with a view of the lake? Discover beach restaurants
• Or discover restaurants and bars along the Chicago Riverwalk
Or just stroll through any Chicago neighborhood and you’ll find plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces, from charming sidewalk cafes to hidden garden patios.
Take a boat trip
Take a river cruise during the day to learn about the city’s groundbreaking architecture. Or head out on the lake in the evening for dinner, dancing and breathtaking views of the city. There are plenty of river and lake cruises and boat tours to choose from during the Memorial Day weekend. Here are just a few of them:
• Architecture Foundation Center river cruise aboard the First Lady of Chicago
• Motor boat tours on the lake from Seadog Cruises
• The Skyline Lake tour with coastal attractions
Go to a baseball game
There’s no better place to spend a summer afternoon than one of Chicago’s famous ballparks. This year, the Chicago White Sox will play at home at Guaranteed Rate Field on Memorial Day weekend.
Get your tickets to cheer on the White Sox as they take on the Baltimore Orioles from Thursday, May 23 to Sunday, May 26, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, May 27.
Check out special offers and events throughout the long weekend, such as post-match fireworks on Fridays and Family Sundays.
Explore a museum in Chicago
Visit the Pritzker Military Museum & Library over Memorial Day weekend to explore the past, present and future of the military.
Learn about America’s most prestigious award for valor in combat at the Medal of Honor permanent exhibit. The museum is also organizing a temporary exhibition on the War of 1812: Security at Sea and at Home.
Discover more military attractions in Chicago.
Explore the Lakefront Trail
The 28-mile Lakefront Trail hugs Lake Michigan and is a popular spot for hikers, bikers and hikers year-round.
The scenic trail is connected to launch sites, nature preserves, waterfront restaurants, boardwalks, and cultural gems like the South Shore Cultural Center, Museum of Science and Industry, and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
It’s also a great way to reach Chicago’s beaches, which are open Memorial Day weekend.
Cycle through the city
Book a guided bike tour with Bobby’s Bike Hike, which offers fun options such as a tour of the Lake District, a night tour and a food and beer tour.
Or rent a pair of bikes from Bike and Roll Chicago to explore the scenic lake. Finally, rent a Divvy bike and head west of downtown to the 606, a 1.7-mile trail that runs through some of Chicago’s hippest and most eclectic neighborhoods.
Go out on the lake
There is no shortage of ways to enjoy the great waters of Lake Michigan. Right on the water at 31st Street Harbor, you can rent a variety of water sports equipment, including jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards.
There are also banana boat rides, paddleboard yoga, jetpacks and more. In addition, the view of the skyline from the lake is spectacular.
Shop the Memorial Day Sale Don’t forget to take advantage of Chicago’s famous shopping scene as stores promote Memorial Day sales.
Start your summer with a fresh new wardrobe, from the big names along the Magnificent Mile to the trendy boutiques and local boutiques in our neighborhoods. Stroll through “City in a Garden”
Take advantage of seasonal tours of Lurie Garden, an urban oasis in Millennium Park. Explore the free Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory, home to hundreds of rare native and exotic plants.
Jackson Park is also particularly beautiful at this time of year, including Osaka Garden. See more parks and gardens in Chicago.
Memorial Day weekend
Saturday 25 May to Monday 27 May
Want to know what to do over Memorial Day weekend? Plan to spend it here in the great California of California as we kick off the summer season with exciting special events.
South Bay Shores Water Park opens Saturday, May 25th!
Are you ready to beat the hot summer heat? Water attractions at South Bay Shores Water Park can help you do just that, and they’re all just steps from the rides and roller coasters of California’s Great America.
After all, admission to South Bay Shores is included with your ticket to Great America!
Memorial Day Fireworks will take place on Sunday, May 26th!
Remembrance Day service
Memorial Day is an American holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May to honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it emerged in the years after the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans celebrate Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.
Early Memorial Day celebration
The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any other conflict in American history and required the establishment of the nation’s first national cemeteries.
By the late 1860s,
Americans in various cities had begun to honor these countless fallen soldiers in the spring by decorating their graves with flowers and praying.
Did you know? A national memorial service takes place each year on Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time.
It is unclear where exactly this tradition comes from;
Many different denominations
it may have initiated the memorial events on their own.
And some records show that one of the first Memorial Day observances was organized by a group of freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina, less than a month after the Confederate surrender in 1865. Still, in 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day . click for more
