Thanksgiving in Chicago
Thanksgiving in Chicago is a wonderful time of year with lot’s to do. There are advantages to being in a major metropolitan area on a holiday, in the suburban areas everything is closed and there is very little going on. The Chicago Getaway Hostel invites you to join us for the weekend and take in all of what the city has to offer.
McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
Hey, New York isn’t the only one with a Thanksgiving Day parade. Chicago puts on its own pretty great turkey day spectacular, thank you very much, and has done so since 1934. The State Street Thanksgiving Parade is attended by over 400,000 spectators and features over 100 participating “units”, including marching bands, floats, horses, drill teams, circus performers, and more.
The parade also features huge character balloons, some topping out at 50 feet tall. Previous years’ cast of balloon characters have included Elmo, the Pink Panther, the Cookie Monster, Popeye, Kermit the Frog, Bear in the Big Blue House, Strawberry Shortcake, Tom Turkey, Rudolph, The Nutcracker, Big Bird, Animal and Billy Blazes. Trust me that the people holding on to the long ropes tethering the balloons hope that the Windy City does not live up to its name on that day…
So if you’re fretting being in Chicago instead of NYC on Thanksgiving, head on down to the State Street Thanksgiving Parade, stand in front of the Macy’s, and you’ll never know the difference.
Where: State Street from Congress to Randolph
Time: The parade starts at 8:30 AM and is expected to last until 11AM
How: Take the “Red Line” from Fullerton to any of these stops: Jackson, Monroe or Washington
Dinner or Lunch Cruise:
Where: Odyssey Cruises| 600 East Grand Avenue | Navy Pier
Reservations: 1-866-305-2469 or by clicking here
Time/Price: 2PM, $54.90 for adults | 6PM. $69.90 for adults *prices subject to change
How: Take the “Red Line” from Fullerton to Grand and walk east towards Navy Pier.
Movie Theater:
Where: Century Centre Cinema
Time/Price: Click Here for Pricing and Showtimes
How: Walk out the front door of the hostel and swing a left and head east down Arlington Place. Take a right on Clark and follow Clark to Diversey, it’s on this corner that you’ll find the theater.
Food:
Click Here for ALL of the options
Hungry and Bored on Thanksgiving? Check this out!
We know that being away from family and friends on holidays can be somewhat depressing (or amazing!). We gotcha covered- hang on for a fun ride!
Food:
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Horizon Cafe- They’re open from 8a-7p. Four course dinner & breakfast specials! Easy to get to: Walk to Clark Street and take the #36 bus north bound. Get off at Grace and Horizon Cafe is just a few buildings north.
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Deleece- Open for Thanksgiving from 3Pm To 8Pm. They will be offering a limited version of their regular menu in addition to a four-course prix fix Thanksgiving feast for $35. Easy to get to: Take the #22 Clark bus north from Arlington and Clark. Exit at Irving Park and walk one block west to Southport.
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Kit Kat Lounge- 1/2 price dinner and drinks with a canned good donation! Open from 53op-2am. Easy to get to: Walk to Fullerton and Halsted and take the #8 Bus North to Broadway. Exit @ Waveland and the Kit Kat Lounge is just to your left on the corner. Read more
