Hello World! Welcome Friends! Prepare to be dazzled and spooked in equal measure when you attend this year’s Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns event in Chicago. It is a beloved annual event in which people from throughout the country get together to look at some of the most well-crafted Jack-o’-Lanterns of the season. This year, it is taking place across two periods, first from October 16–20, and then again from October 23–27, at the Chicago Botanical Garden.
True to its name, there will be more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins at the Night of 1000 Jack-O-Lanterns with some weighing as much as 150 pounds for you to look at. It will take a good amount of time to see all the jack-o-lanterns spread across the botanical garden’s LED-lit trails. There will also be other sights and entertainment like a cast of characters wandering around, live carving, and ghostly trains in the Model Railroad Garden. Light snacks and drinks will be available, as well. The event is so fun and elaborate that you could plan to return over several evenings.
Where to Stay
If you are coming in from out of town, there are lots of great options for hotels. The Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago is a popular choice for travelers flying in from elsewhere. It’s close to O’Hare, but it doesn’t take long to get right into downtown Chicago. The Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection, another well-rated hotel, is in the upscale North area of the city, close to many great restaurants and attractions.
If you’re in town for a few days, you’ll want to explore. Here are a few recommended options for travelers in the Windy City.
Throw A Strike At Brunswick Zone
The Brunswick company is famous for many things but perhaps none more than bowling. They are the maker of a variety of bowling balls and other bowling accessories. It is no surprise then that their showcase Brunswick Zone features some 48 bowling lanes, 6 billiards tables, and even an arcade.
This place is family-friendly and is a real blast for people of all ages. You can come and enjoy a little recreation just eight miles from your hotel room.
Take In A Sporting Event
Most of us are familiar with the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago White Sox, but we may not have heard as much about some of their other local sports. This is a real shame because they have a lot of exciting sports entertainment offerings that are just down the road from hotels close to O’Hare.
Hop over to the All-State Arena to check out the action when the Chicago Sky WNBA women take the court or take in the action when the arena football team, the Chicago Rush, take to the field. This is one of the hidden gems of Chicago that people can enjoy. It can comfortably hold up to 18,500 fans and even has some luxury boxes if you are so inclined.
Gamble At The Rivers Casino
You may not have even realized that Chicago boasted a casino at all but it does. They have what is known as the Rivers Casino, and it is a popular tourist attraction for those who like to take a little bit of risk in their lives. This casino is known for being clean and trendy and very welcoming to outsiders. You can stop in for yourself to take in the sights and sounds of the ongoing wagers. It is not a bad way to use up some time while waiting for the next night of the Jack-o’-Lanterns to begin.
Check out any or all of these events while you are in Chicago to get the full experience of the city. It is something worth setting aside some time to explore.
Click the links below for any posts you may have missed!
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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