Are you driving in on the 3rd? Traffic is a nightmare before and after the fireworks, especially in the area over by Grant and Millennium Parks but also the expressways; streets by the parks, Lake Shore Drive and up by the Mag Mile may be blocked off.

This link has closures listed for the Taste and the 3rd of July fireworks

…transitchicago.com/news/default.aspx…

Spending time on the water is a good suggestion, there are a variety of cruises that go out on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. If you just want a nice view, head for the ones on the Lake, if you like architecture, the CAF tour on the River is great.

You can rent bikes and go along the lake front on the 18 mile bike path, I like to go south from the city center instead of north because there is less pedestrian traffic once you get past the Museum Campus, to the north, North Avenue beach and Oak Street beach are particularly congested.

The Taste has several free concerts, it looks like the 4th has Guster, Buddy Guy and Booker T. & the DBTs and the 5th has a show from Radio Disney which is probably too young for you.

We are actually flying in (free air tickets so we used those instead of the easy 6 hour drive). Our flight lands at 8:30 on Friday night. I had heard about Chicago celebrating on July 3rd, but I also heard that Navy Pier has a big fireworks display on the 4th? Is this true? Is it worth going out there for that? To be honest, we're in our 30s and not too concerned about fireworks, but if it's available....

Any other suggestions for us after the Cubs game on Saturday?

Hey-another person from the Bluegrass going to Chicago next weekend. We are driving up Friday morning and back Tuesday night. We are planning on Navy Pier fireworks and shopping on Saturday. Be safe and enjoy the weekend.

www.explorechicago.org for ideas. Also the Visiting Chicago section of this website has information.

I don't know where you're staying but if it's anywhere near the downtown lakefront area, getting to your hotel at about the time you describe could be near impossible.

On your way to the game you could stop at the Chicago History Museum, at the south end of Lincoln Park, and catch part of their old-fashioned 4th of July celebration, which begins at 10. It's free, outside if weather cooperates, and you can come and go and you please, so could stay for awhile and then grab the Clark St. bus to the game.

Hi Bluegrass Neighbors! Love Lexington... I can't remember if it was the 3rd or the 4th but we went to top of Sears Tower and saw fireworks all over they city. Chicago and "the burbs" are so flat that you can see for miles. I prefer the view from the John Hancock over Sears Tower however and would chose JH over ST. The other idea would be to hit one of the Comedy Clubs Zanies and Second City have late evening shows at 10:30 or 11. Have a wonderful time.

By the Way great Sunday Plan. Please have an Italian Beef and an Italian Ice for me.

All of the Bluegrass State must be going to Chicago for the 4th of July weekend. Along with the things you have stated, we're checking out the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry this weekend!

Regarding Wrigley, there are so many bars/restaurants near the ballpark. Take a look at this website:

outoftheballpark.com/chicagowrigleyfield.html

I like Rockit, Murphy's Bleachers, Moran's, and Harry Caray's, to name a few. Basically, the aforementioned spots are directly across from the ballpark. If you don't like crowds, you might want to walk a couple of blocks over to Southport where you'll find more bars/restaurants and fewer crowds.

Have fun!