Page 38 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

36  INTRODUCING CHIC A GO

Average monthly rainfall Precipitation
Chicago’s average
MM Inches monthly precipitation
300 12 is much the same
240 throughout the year,
9 with a modest peak in
180 early summer. Summer
6 storms are brief but
120 dramatic, and provide
3 relief from humidity.
60 Winter brings blizzards.
0 0 Rainfall
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Snowfall

September Oktoberfest (early Oct), Lincoln
Chicago Jazz Festival (Labor and Southport Ave. Celebrates
Day weekend), Grant Park German culture with food and
(pp86–7). Swing to the lively beer gardens.
sounds of renowned jazz Chicagoween (month-long),
musicians and singers. Daley Plaza. An outdoor haunted
North Coast Music Festival village that kids will love.
(Labor Day weekend), Union
Park. With electronic, hip-hop, November
and rock acts, this festival Holiday Windows at Macy’s
rivals Loopalooza. (Nov–Dec). Animated Christmas
Art on Harrison (second displays in the windows of the
weekend), Oak Park (pp116–17). State Street store (pp52–3) are
Showcasing Oak Park’s artists, a Chicago tradition.
galleries, and studios, with Christmas Around the World
displays, demonstrations, and Holidays of Light (mid-
Pumpkins at a local farmers’ market, and food. Nov–Jan), Museum of Science
a telltale sign of fall Renegade Craft Fair (mid-Sep), and Industry (pp108–111).
Division St. between Damen Chicago’s ethnic groups decorate
and Ashland. Handmade goods, trees in an “enchanted” forest and
Fall
live music, craft workshops, and share holiday traditions.
Fall is an invigorating season food stalls. Magnificent Mile Lights
in Chicago. September’s Mexican Independence Day Festival (third weekend),
comfortable weather provides Parade (mid-Sep), Columbus Michigan Ave. from the Chicago
an inviting backdrop to the Dr between Monroe and River to Oak St. Christmas
numerous outdoor festivals Columbus. Floats, bands, lights are lit during this
held throughout the city. and dancers join to celebrate annual procession.
Fall is also the season when Mexico’s 1820 independence State Street Thanksgiving Day
45,000 runners, Chicagoans from Spain. Parade (Thanksgiving), State St.
and visitors alike, test their World Music Festival (mid- between Congress Pkwy and
mettle and stamina during to late Sep), various locations. Randolph St. Santa and his elves
the internationally celebrated The eclectic sounds of music delight children.
annual marathon. from Europe, Africa, and
Football season kicks off South America.
the first week of September
with the Chicago Bears playing October
at Soldier Field. The city’s Annual House Tour (second
many sports enthusiasts also weekend), Pullman (p121).
flock to the United Center A rare opportunity to see
to see the Chicago Bulls play inside this historic district’s
basketball and the Chicago 19th-century houses.
Blackhawks play hockey Chicago Marathon (second
(see p167). Sun), downtown. One of the
In late fall, the city gets world’s largest marathons, with
a head start on the Christmas thousands of participants, and
season, with many holiday spectators in the hundreds of
traditions beginning thousands giving support and
immediately after Thanks- cheering runners along the The Chicago Marathon, attracting athletes
giving, in November. 26.2-mile (43-km) course. from around the world

036-037_EW_Chicago.indd 36 13/07/16 2:59 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Seasonal template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.8)
Date 30th September 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm