How to make that coming birthday the best one yet!
Scratching your head as to how to best celebrate your birthday in Chicago?
After all, a birthday is a very special day. It comes once a year, so the party better be damn amazing, am I right?
Here’s the deal: Chicago is one of the best cities in the world to celebrate your ___th (doesn’t matter what age you are). Our city is teeming with possibilities to make your celebration memorable.
Here are 7 absolutely amazing things to do in Chicago on your birthday!
Have a pizza birthday party!
Pizza is the ultimate party food in Chicago.
Reason no. 1: It’s uniquely shareable.
Reason no. 1: Pizza - especially deep dish pizza - is a well-known Chicago food.
Now, every Chicagoan has their own fav pizza joint…but if you were to ask me, I’d point you towards Malnati’s in the Loop as the best place to get your birthday pizza from!
Party tip: If you’re going for Malnati’s, go for their fried calamari and/or salad with vinaigrette dressing, along with the pizza. And they even have a gluten free option for anyone that needs it!
Birthday at the beach
You probably know this: Chicago has 26 miles of freshwater coastline (along the shores of Lake Michigan). We have over 20 public beaches, which means you don’t have to pay a dime to have a party with lots of swimming, sunbathing, having a sandcastle contest, playing beach volleyball, and on and on - it’s one of the best activities for crazy hot days!
Don’t worry - the views are as dazzling as you would get at a seaside beach.
Party tip: Remember to carry along a beer cooler, especially if your birthday falls during the summer months.
Pro tip: One of our most popular beaches is Oak Street beach. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more of a get-together than a party (i.e. quieter) you can have it at Loyola Beach.
Escape room birthday adventure
Yep, this is gonna be an adventure all right! It’s a big part of why I entered this business.
Those dreams you’ve had since childhood - of breaking free from your daily existence and going on a daredevil quest with your mates - those are gonna be coming true.
If you’re asking “how?”, you’ve never heard of an escape room, so I’ll explain to you how it works:
You and your friends will choose a mission that you’ll have to fulfill within 60 minutes.
The entire thing takes place inside the game space, which has been set up (with room decor, props and special effects) to simulate the mission environment.
You’ll have to work as a team to spot clues, unravel puzzles, execute tasks to find your way forward, and ultimately out of the room. Even 10-year-olds can take part.
Afterward, you can have a birthday feast at a nearby restaurant.
Sounds exciting?
Take a look through our escape room games and see which one(s) makes/make a good fit for your birthday party.
You can also find out more about why escape rooms are the birthday idea Chicagoans are raving about!
Go on a hike
If you’re looking for a birthday party that gets you moving, go for some of our hiking trails.
There’s the North Branch Trail, the Lakefront Trail, the Indiana Dunes Park…to name just a few.
This will be one party your guests won’t forget in a hurry!
Catch a movie at a theater
I know.
Watching a movie is one of the oldest suggestions when it comes to ideas for a birthday party - and you’re probably rolling your eyes at me for even having suggested it!
Here’s the deal, though.
Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best ones.
And, catching a flick with family and friends might turn out to be the best idea for a birthday that you’ve had yet - Family time can be fun especially on an occasion like a birthday!
Whether it’s a blockbuster at a multiplex that you fancy or a classic motion picture screening at the Music Box Theater, Chicago has all kinds of options you can opt for.
Belly laughs at a comedy club
Did you know that Tina Fey emerged from the Chicago comedy circuit? The same goes for Steve Farrell, Stephen Colbert, and a lot more of the comedy talents that you see today.
And given the kind of atmosphere we’re living through - with inflation hitting the roof, jobs becoming more and more demanding and precarious, people getting into quarrels and fights over everything - a birthday party that sees you chortling, emitting belly laughs may in fact turn out to be just what you need at this point in your life.
If that sounds just about right, look at Chicago venues like The Comedy Bar, The Second City and Lincoln Lodge for your birthday.
Enjoy blues and jazz
If you’re the sort that enjoys music genres like blues and jazz (I bring those up specifically as Chicago is well-known for hosting a lot of talent in them), you could be in for a real treat on your bday.
Start off your party at the Jazz Showcase which hosts local and global acts nightly, and has had some of the biggest names in jazz.
And as the night (these kinds of music are best enjoyed at night) goes on, shift to Buddy Guy’s Legends, set up by the legendary Buddy Guy himself (and he still plays there) for some beautiful blues.
Have your birthday dinner at Buddy Guy’s - they have a New Orleans-inspired menu that’s got some absolutely mouthwatering dishes!
You can also check out Green Mill, a jazz venue that used to be a Frank Sinatra haunt.
Celebrating your birthday in Chicago - key takeaways
As you can see, there are all kinds of fun birthday celebration options in Chicago. From having a pizza party to an escape room adventure, from catching a movie to enjoying music and/or comedy - there are various kinds of activities, that will appeal to various kinds of people.
Of course, a lot of this depends on you - how many people you want to invite, when (morning, afternoon, evening or night) you want to have it, how long you want it to be, and so on.
So, plan as per your needs, and have a great birthday party in Chicago!
Featured image by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.
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