Things to do in 2017

Things to do in 2017

2016 was a year full of extravagant events and memories. From the Summer Olympics to the Cubs winning the World Series, what can get better than that? Reflect on this past year and think about all of the things you have done.  Discover the things you can do in 2017 that you never even thought of doing this past year, especially around your area! Here are the things you must do in 2017.

 

January-February

Start off 2017 right and check out the new ice rink in Chicago, which is known as the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon. In the heart of downtown Chicago, you are able to skate through a ribbon of ice that winds through a sensory landscape with a beautiful view of the skyline.  Open generally from 12pm to 10pm, skate through the ribbon for only $12 Monday-Thursday and $14 Friday-Sunday. The Ribbon also winds around hot chocolate and coffee shops. So, you can skate and enjoy a hot cup of hot cocoa at the same time!

After a few laps around the rink, you can go and check out the Chicago Auto Show at the McCormick Place on February 11 to 19 from 10am -10pm. Here, you are able to see new 2017 vehicles on display for only $13. From sport cars to mini vans, the Chicago Auto Show has almost every car you could name! There are also great concessions and raffles at the show as well, and it’s definitely a great place to check out downtown.

Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon

February-April

Sports games are exciting to watch on the TV, but even more exciting to watch and be there in person. Between the months of February and April, you can see the Bulls, Hawks, and especially the Cubs! Although it maybe a little more on the expensive side, it would be a fun experience to see a sports game and what it’s like to be a part of a crowd. You can see the Bulls between now and April, so don’t wait too long to see them! But if you miss the chance, don’t worry because the Hawks season lasts until June and the Cubs begins in April!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Love St. Patrick’s Day? On Friday, March 17, stop downtown and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade and a green river. The event begins at 11am and ends around 5pm. It is a great way of expressing your Irish spirit by dressing in green and being a part of the huge crowd and watching the parade.    

 

May-July

Running is something not many of us love to do, but maybe by adding bubbles, it  might seem a little less painful. In May (the date is TBD), challenge yourself to the Bubble Run. The Bubble Run is a 5K at the Chicagoland Speedway downtown. While running, you get blasted with colorful bubbles head to toe!  Any age is allowed to participate as long as you are wearing a plain white t-shirt and are ready to take on a bubblepalooza!

In 2017, July seems to be the most jammed packed month of the year, from the Taste of Chicago to Country Thunder. First starting off the month is the 4th of July. If you are looking for plans, head to North Avenue beach downtown. Open all day, the fairly large and well-maintained beach is filled with people of all ages. You can have the opportunity to rent out a volleyball court or bikes with your friends. At the beach, you can find concessions, shops, and restrooms, plus a beachside restaurant. North Avenue Beach is one of the hotspots to go to downtown in the summer, and not to mention, getting into the beach is free!

After enjoying a day at the beach, walk to the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park. The Taste is an outdoor food festival showcasing a variety of Chicago’s best dishes. The food service in complimented by music and activities for any family.  You must buy tickets at booths, which are usually in the front of the festival. The price will vary between 20 to 50 depending on how much you desire to eat.  From 11am to 9pm, get your hands on the best tasting food in Illinois.  

Country Thunder Logo

Obsessed with country music?  Check out Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin!  It is a four day event accompanied by live music and amazing food.  Either by renting a campsite and sleeping in a tent or driving to and from every night, it is a great experience. The 2017 lineup for this year so far consist of Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Billy Currington, Old Dominion, Frankie Ballard and many more!  The concerts are between July 20-23 and a four day general admission wristband is around $130.00 as of right now.  Here is a tip, buy them as soon as
possible because the prices will go up!

 

August-October

Lollapalooza

If you love all kinds of music, mark your calendars for August 3-6, and head down to Grant Park for Lollapalooza.  Usually beginning at 10am and ending around 11pm, Grant park is filled with a variety of stages with multiple artist. The lineup has not yet been released for 2017, but usually it consist of over 100 artists!  Wrist brand pricing is dependable on how many days you attend.  If you are considering a four day wristband, it will usually cost around $335, while one day passes usually are around $120.  the festival is filled with people usually around 15 and up. It also consist of multiple concessions and bathrooms. Regardless of the price, the music is amazing and is something I would not miss in 2017.

With October already coming up, challenge your fears and start looking for some haunted houses to attend. Some popular houses around the area are called 13th Floor Haunted House, The Massacre Haunted House, and The Basement of the Dead.  Ticket prices usually range between $20 to $30.  Most of the time, they are open all in October from noon to 10pm or 11 pm.  Go with a couple of friends and see how brave you are to walk into a 20 minute long house, and see how long you will last!

 

November-December    

Christmas Tree Lighting

With winter holidays around the corner, start to feel a little festive and watch the Christmas tree lighting downtown Chicago in Millennium Park.  The free event will take place in early November. In 2017, the Christmas tree lighting will have its 104th anniversary, which will feature music performances and an appearance by Santa Claus.  Take some friends or your family down to enjoy this festive ceremony.

To wrap up the year of 2017, stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo and see the Zoolights.  The events takes place in early December for $20-30 each. You can get discounts as a family as well. The bright Christmas lights wrap around every inch of the zoo, lighting up the whole park.  It is a great family event just before the holidays!

For further information, you can search the events on their main websites or call their business.  All these events are great, family friendly experiences, and are things you shouldn’t miss out on!