Temps will be back in the 80s this weekend–woo-hoo! If your family’s weekend isn’t already packed with picnics and fireworks-watching plans, we’ve got some ideas.
Squealing tweeny-bopper types will want to head to the Disney Store (717 N Michigan Ave) on Friday 3 to get a glimpse of Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso. He’s signing copies of his debut CD starting at 6pm. It’s first-come, first-served; fans can start lining up as early as 4pm. No pouty fits if your little fan misses the mayhem: Musso’s also headlining the free Family Day concert at Taste of Chicago Sunday 5 at 2:30pm.
Play tourist without leaving town by taking Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company’s Hop On/Hop Off Signature Tour. Riders get a t-shirt, a sample of Garrett Popcorn’s Chicago mix and a Hershey bar, plus the ability to get on and off the trolley at 18 spots including Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Union Station. Tickets are $29 each, but if you buy online at chicagotrolley.com you save $3.
You can sneak in a little history lesson into the family’s Independence Day fun by hitting Chicago History Museum’s 50th annual Star-Spangled Celebration on Saturday 4. The free event, on the plaza behind the museum (1601 N Clark St, 312-642-4600) runs from 10am until noon and includes crafts, musical performances and a kids’ costume parade, plus the always-impressive World’s Tallest Uncle Sam. The museum itself opens at noon, and admission is free until 1pm, when a Daniel Burnham historical re-enactor presents a slideshow on the architect.
If you’d rather get away from the city and the crowds, check out the American Music Festival at FitzGerald’s (6615 W Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, 708-788-2118; fitzgeraldsnightclub.com). The 29th annual fest runs through Saturday 4 and is particularly family-friendly on Friday afternoon at 1pm, when Terrence Simien & The Zydeco Experience play a “Creole for Kids” show. $30 for adults, $5 for kids under 12.
Looking for more? Check out Time Out Chicago Kids‘ list of 99 things to do this summer for $10 and under, including plenty of suggestions for the big Fourth weekend.
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