Chicago Events in January

Posted on January 4, 2011 by chiweekendfun

I think we have collectively decided that we’re relievedthat 2010 has passed and 2011 has begun. If there was ever a time in need of a fresh start, this is it. January is a cold and somewhat dark month in Chicago with plenty of snow, sleet and temperatures below 32 degrees (fahrenheit). If you plan on traveling to Chicago bring some warm sweaters and a warm coat. if you plan on coming in to the city of Chicago from the near by suburbs for some fun events here is a list of things to do in Chicago this January. I hope the new year is good to you and to everyone.

1. Chicago Sketchfest - (Now called the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival) Brian Posen comes back again with more comedy in one weekend. This event is hilarious because pretty much any of the 152 shows you decide on will bring experienced performers to the stage. Prepare for cutting edge comedy. The only problem with this event is the venue. The crowds have grown a lot and the seating has not. Do not go to the Sketch Comedy festival on a Friday or Saturday night, as it is beyond packed and do not expect to find parking within a 1/2 hour of your show because that is impossible.

2. Chicago Boat & RV Show -This is a regular classic in Chicago events. In the middle of January you start thinking ahead to the summer when the camping and boating season returns in the Midwest. Many people just go to observe the new cool stuff on display at the Chicago Boat & RV Show since the economy is not doing as well and people don’t have as much extra income for fun stuff like boats. But it can still be a fun day to take the family to McCormick Place and think about when it will be warm in Chicago again. January 12-16th.

3. Chinese New Year Celebrations- You may have just picked up the streamers from the New Years Eve parties in your home, but Chinese New Year brings a whole different set of events. In Chinatown they have a parade and lots of food and celebrations happening around the new year of the Rabbit. You can find out more at ChicagoChinatown.org.

4. Chicago White Sox Fest- At the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago the yearly meet and greet for fans of the Chicago White Sox is January 22-24. 9am to 4 pm. Come see all the players in person and get psyched for the season. You can find out more details at Chicago.whitesox.mlb.com.

Have a great January and stay warm!

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December Events in Chicagoland for the Holidays

Posted on December 2, 2010 by chiweekendfun

Chicago macy's walnut room christmas tree restaurant 2010It is December in Chicago! We’ve already had snow and everyone is in a tizzy trying to get all the holiday preparations done and still do work at the same time. Few of us really have time to relax these days (and in this economy) but if you can take time out to enjoy the splendor of Chicago fully decorated this holiday season here are some activity suggestions for the four weekends this month. These are family friendly options for the holidays. If you plan on coming downtown to Chicago from the suburbs plan extra time for traffic on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and plan on spending time looking for parking except at Navy Pier which has a parking garage attached.

Macy’s Walnut Room Christmas Tree - The Tree is lit and it is beautiful this year on the 7th floor of the store. Come see the digital LED icicles on the tree and see how energy efficiency is beautiful. Have some of the famous pot pie and a Poinsettia drink (not for kids) and get a Walnut Room Mug to take home with you. And try the Frango Mint Pie, it is delicious!

Free Ice Skating in Millennium Park- You can skate for free next to Chicago’s beautiful skyline and see the famous Bean. This outdoor skating rink is open daily through March 13, 2011. Skate rentals are available for $10. Also, Park Grill is located behind the rink and is the perfect place for dinner after all that exercise.

Christkindlmarket Chicago Daley Plaza- The Christkindlmarket includes all kinds of European arts and crafts, as well as brats, spiced wine and other German specialties. The Christkindlmarket is open daily through December 24 at Chicago’s Daley Plaza.

CTA Holiday EL Train- The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is going to be running it’s annual Holiday Train completely decorated as usual. Santa and his elves walk through the train cars passing out candy canes. According to the CTA: Interiors of the cars will be decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The Holiday Train will travel all CTA rail lines in November and December. The train generally operates from about 1 pm to 9 pm on weekends and 3 pm to 7 pm on select weekdays. Additionally, the Holiday Train will operate continuously around the Loop on Wednesday, November 24, from about 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm, around the time of this year’s tree-lighting ceremonies in Daley Plaza.

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier - Navy Pier’s winter festival that include a castle, ice skating, and holiday entertainment December 3 – January 2, 2011. The bonus to Navy Pier is that there are a lot of things to do there and the parking is attached to the building so you won’t freeze walking blocks from your car. Check out the stained glass museum and the Chicago shops also while your there.

Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights- The Lincoln Park Zoo has the annual holiday ZooLights again this year. The zoo has decorated the grounds and trees with mult-colored lights and animal figures. This is open on Thanksgiving weekend and will go through January 2, 2011.

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Chicagoland Casinos and Gambling/Gaming Locations

Posted on December 2, 2010 by chiweekendfun

If you are a bit of a gambler, then you will be happy to know that the Chicago area has several options for legal live gambling and five new casinos are slated to open in Illinois per some news from Governor Pat Quinn this morning.  Whether you play poker, blackjack, roulette, or like the thrill of playing slots, there are plenty of options.  Here is a quick look at a couple of the best casinos for those looking for a place to have fun unwinding on the weekends.

HorseShoe Hammond

The Horseshoe Hammond is located just outside of Chicago in Hammond and is one of the premier properties in the state.  Owned by Harrah’s Casinos, the 350,000 square foot gaming paradise has about what any player would want.  Whether you play slot, roulette, or table games, this is a casino you should check out.  In addition, when making poker room comparisons, the Horseshoe’s poker room ranks with some of the best in the country.

Horseshoe Hammond offers dining options for those on any budget.  For those looking for a quick burger or even a burger and a beer, check out both JB’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Salads as well as Benny’s Pub and Eatery.  JB’s is the place to go if you are looking for a great deli sandwich or even if you are looking for your morning breakfast muffin.  If you are looking for a place to watch the game, Benny’s Pub and Eatery is the place to catch the game on their numerous plasma screens. 

If Asian food is more your thing, check out the Foo Noodle Bar.  Whether you desire broth soup, congee, dim sum, or bubble teas, this is your spot for Asian cuisine.  Of course, if you are more of a buffet type person, check out Village Square Buffet.  For less than $20 per person, you have unlimited access to foods from around the world as well as seafood and salad bars.  On the other hand, if you are looking for a fine dining experience, check out Jack Binion’s Steak House.  The Chicago Tribune has said that the steak house is “an upscale experience rivaling downtown’s finest steakhouses.”

If you are looking for entertainment at the Horseshoe, then check out what is available at The Venue and Push.  Push is the Horseshoe’s premier club and bar where you can find some of the hottest bands playing in the Chicagoland area.  The Venue is host to performers and concerts throughout the year by the best in entertainment, music, and comedy.  Some of the upcoming performers at The Venue include BB King and Norm McDonald.

Of course, what is any casino without games?  The Horseshoe offers the best in both table games and slots.  Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat are all available on the casino floor.  The hottest slots and video poker are also available around the clock.  The Horseshoe’s poker room is one of the best around and annually hosts the World Series of Poker circuit, a series of  Texas Holdem tournaments held at premier casinos around the country.

Ameristar Casino

Just 25 miles from downtown Chicago, the Ameristar Casino has just about everything that gamblers will look for in a casino.  They offer all of the popular games and boast a 290 room luxury hotel. 

The Ameristar Casino has a luxury hotel with numerous amenities of large chain hotels including a 24-hour fitness center, valet parking, dry cleaning/laundry services, safety deposit boxes, free wireless internet, and privately secured floors. 

There are several dining options at the Ameristar to fit any budget.  For those wanting to catch the game while eating, Amerisport has 20 high definition TV’s and is open until at least 1 a.m. every day.  If you just want a quick hot dog, check out Double Down Dogs.  They have some of the best all-beef hotdogs in all of Chicago.  The noodle bar is a great choice for those wanting Asian food.  If Italian is more your thing, check out the Sbarro Italian Eatery.  It is the best of Italy, but at “lightweight prices.”  Finally, for the best dining at the Ameristar, check out Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta.  Buggatti’s is fashioned after some of the finest Chicago steakhouses, but has an Italian flair all its own.

Of course, at some point you are going to want to gamble.  The Ameristar has over 1,900 slot and video poker machines, including all of the popular games.  Over 50 table game tables are available.  Among the games offered are Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Let it Ride, Mini-Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker.  In addition they have a dedicated Baccarat room as well as a high limit room for those that really want to gamble it up.

The two above casino are among the best of what Chicago has to offer gamblers.  As always, make sure to bet with your head, and not above it.  Gambling should be done for fun and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.  Good luck at the tables and have fun.

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