Getting Festive in the Windy City

Do you consider yourself festive or just love an exciting festival? If you answered yes, then head to the Midwest of the United States and touch down in the city of Chicago! The Windy City is a favorite vacation destination well known for many things. Like jazz, beer, a beautiful lakefront, and of course deep dish pizza or did I mention beer. Then Chicago in May is just the spot.

In the month of May some of those Chicago traditions are celebrated during one of the multiple festivals, parades, and parties that pop up all over the city. To be a part of history, and have a whole lot of fun doing it, head over to Chicago in May to see what it’s all about!

Stroll downtown along the lovely Chicago River

Check out some of the festivals!

For beer lovers, two must-see festivals are the Chicago Beer Classic(CBC). And Chicago Craft Beer Week. The Beer Classic, fondly called the CBC, is a once in a life time experience that will be especially tempting for anyone who likes football. In 2017, the festival had 95 vendors to sample. Stations to build pretzel necklaces (because everyone needs a snack with their beer), and best yet, the festival is located on the actual field within the Soldier Field Stadium! Just imagine yourself playing fun games, sampling some of the best beers out there, and snacking on a pretzel necklace. While you are standing in an NFL stadium that’s been around since 1924!

View of Soldier Field from the air

Photo by Marco Verch | CC BY 2.0

Chicago Craft Beer week is only similar to the CBC in the fact that they’re both perfect for beer lovers. The week-long celebration of craft beer is a city-wide festival. It has many events that beer lovers can pick and choose from. If brewery tours, sampling beer flights, or even meet and greets with brew masters are up your alley, you’ll be in for a treat all week long.

Not so Adult Events

Although beer is popular, Chicago is truly a mecca for all sorts of festivals and celebrations in May. Foodies will fall in love with the city! You can eat your way through German, Mexican, Irish, BBQ, and even Food Truck Social events. Art lovers will have multiple fairs, shows, and museum days to choose from. For an early peek at some of the events that will be going on, take a look at this site! You’ll be amazed at just how festival Chicago in May can be. I am always pleasantly surprised with all the options you can choose from!

Grab a beer on the patio at Chicago’s local Goose Island Brewery

Photo by Niklas Hellerstedt | CC BY 2.0

Don’t forget to be a tourist

While you’re planning your festival extravaganza, don’t forget to pencil in some time to explore the city! Chicago is home to many wonderful museums like the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry. These indoor adventures are a perfect option if you encounter a rainy spring day on your trip. However, don’t worry too much about rain. May is fondly known as the first ‘good weather’ month in the Windy City. So, you should have some great days to spend outside in the warm sun!

Beyond the museums and aquarium, other must see tourist attractions in Chicago are Millennium Park, and the Chicago Observation Deck. Millennium Park is a large green expanse right along the beaches of Lake Michigan, take a picnic and have a great lunch on the great lawn in front of the grand amphitheater!

Make sure you also take time to walk past the shiny Cloud Gate statue, commonly and fondly known as ‘The Bean’, and take a look at the neighboring Crown Fountains which are quite a digital work of art.

For the Chicago Observation Deck, book tickets online for a 10% discount on views that will rival those from the Empire State Building! If you’re a thrill seeker, check out the Tilt thrill ride built right into the side of the building. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to look down through glass from over 1000 feet up, this is the ride for you!

Stunning view from the observation desk at the Chicago 360 building

Photo by David Wilson | CC BY 2.0

Sample the traditional food

Along with experiencing Chicago like a tourist, the second thing you should definitely make time for is food! The great city is home to many authentic restaurants of all sorts of cuisines so if you’ve been craving any food you haven’t been able to find, make sure to look in diverse Chicago!

Local dishes are also quite popular and some have become nationwide favorites, like deep dish pizza. The large pizza dish, basically crust in the shape of a pie stuffed with meat, cheese, toppings, all covered with sauce, is something that’s been around since at least the 1940s. That’s over 75 years of flavor perfection!

Chicago style hot dogs are also a treat that should be sampled at least once in the Windy City. With more toppings than most people grow in their gardens, the Chicago dog is a great meal on those days you spend wandering around the city exploring.

Deep dish pizza from Giordano’s in Downtown Chicago

Photo by TNVWBOY | CC BY 2.0

Live like a local!

For a place to stay in the Windy City, check out Airbnb for some deals you can’t beat. Places like this Garden Apartment on the historic Jackson Blvd in the Near West Side neighborhood are an amazing option for staying in Chicago. At $125 a night, the apartment is very competitive rate compared to Chicago’s hotels, and comes with all the perks of a full apartment, including a garden patio! The home is within walking distance of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, which is a perfect way to get into the heart of downtown Chicago, as well as to and from O’Hare airport. As an added bonus, the location of the apartment on Jackson Boulevard means you’ll be sleeping on a street that’s registered as a Chicago Landmark. You’ll truly enjoy being a part of Chicago’s rich history while living in comfort during your festive Windy City vacation!