July 4th Chicago fireworks from a hotel balcony?
July 18, 2016 2:42 PM Subscribe
We live in the Chicagoland area and next year, instead of dealing with the transit/parking/waiting/crowds aspects of watching the Navy Pier 4th of July fireworks display, I thought maybe we could just get a hotel room nearby with a balcony view and watch from there in comfort and style. It seems like many people pull this off every year. What will I need to know?
The most obvious question would be: which hotels are options? Who has the best views? Who has the best balconies? The next question would be: once I know I'm dealing with the right hotel, how do I make sure the room/balcony they give me will have the view I need? (Presumably, I call and ask. Do they mark those rooms up to a higher price?) How early should I book for 2017? (I'm thinking, um, soon?)
We're open to doing this on our own (one couple, their kid), but we're interested in maybe getting a suite with another family and making a party out of it. Or maybe at least inviting people to the room to watch with us.
Do you know anyone who has done this or something similar? Tips/tricks/recs?
The most obvious question would be: which hotels are options? Who has the best views? Who has the best balconies? The next question would be: once I know I'm dealing with the right hotel, how do I make sure the room/balcony they give me will have the view I need? (Presumably, I call and ask. Do they mark those rooms up to a higher price?) How early should I book for 2017? (I'm thinking, um, soon?)
We're open to doing this on our own (one couple, their kid), but we're interested in maybe getting a suite with another family and making a party out of it. Or maybe at least inviting people to the room to watch with us.
Do you know anyone who has done this or something similar? Tips/tricks/recs?
Rooms on the noetheast side of the Swissotel have a pretty good view of Navy Pier.
posted by Uncle at 4:23 PM on July 18, 2016
posted by Uncle at 4:23 PM on July 18, 2016
Beware of Lake Point Tower. It can block many a view.
posted by srboisvert at 4:46 PM on July 18, 2016
posted by srboisvert at 4:46 PM on July 18, 2016
It's not a hotel, but the restaurant at the top of the Hancock has a stellar view of the fireworks. I booked dinner with my parents there one year for the Fourth, and it was awesome. The fireworks detonate right at the level of the restaurant -- it's so cool to watch them explore basically at eye level. Also, it's incredibly luxurious to be watching the display with a cocktail and a nice steak.
posted by batbat at 5:18 PM on July 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by batbat at 5:18 PM on July 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
batbat: the restaurant at the top of the Hancock has a stellar view of the fireworksI'm genuinely happy you enjoyed it... but FWIW I took my family to watch the July 4 fireworks from the same venue in 2015 and we found it disappointing. The fireworks seemed very distant (~1 mile) and because you're indoors, they were silent. It felt like watching fireworks on TV with the sound off. My takeaway was that I only enjoy fireworks when they're much closer and you can hear the accompanying booms, crackles, and fizzes.
But - in case I'm coming across as a Hancock Building hater - I wholeheartedly recommend the The Signature Lounge for an excellent view of the Chicago skyline.
posted by Chipeaux at 8:12 AM on July 19, 2016
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The rooms booked up 8 months in advance, the prices were very greatly inflated, and the hotels are always restricted to hotel guests only, with wristbands required, so you may not be inviting non-paying-guests to party with you in your suite.
Honestly, I'd just call the hotels you're thinking about staying at and ask what the situation is.
posted by erst at 3:43 PM on July 18, 2016