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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

SWC19 What to do outside Celebration

Discussion in 'Star Wars Celebrations' started by Obi Anne , Jan 17, 2019.

  1. Obi Anne

    Obi Anne Celebration Mistress of Ceremonies star 8 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Nov 4, 1998
    This will be my first visit to Chicago, and I'm probably not the only one who might have some time to spend outside of Celebration.

    Gather your best travel advice and guides for Chicago here!
     
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  2. Guidman

    Guidman Skywalker Saga Mod and Trivia Host star 6 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Dec 29, 2016
    I've only been to Chicago once but the architectural boat tour was fascinating. Highly recommend that.
     
  3. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    Never been but we have the architecture boat tour planned as well as a visit to the Navy Pier and Wrigley’s stadium. My husband, who has been to Chicago many times and isn’t going to Celebration, recommended those to my friends and I. There’s also the John Hancock Center tilt 360 thrill ride view if you aren’t scared of heights. I am and I’m not doing it but my friend Jim will. You can check it out on YouTube and apparently the view is amazing.

    Also there’s the Willis Tower, which used to be called the Sears Tower, which is the tallest building in the US I believe
     
  4. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    Going to the skydeck of Willis Tower is neat.

    The Cubs are in town and Wrigley is a historic stadium. That's a tough ticket though.
     
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  5. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    Tickets for the games go on sale in February I believe. I’m holding out on getting banquet tickets in case we do go to a cubs game that night
     
  6. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    That's usually when single game tickets go on sale. They are good now and they sell out like every game and secondary market prices are ridiculous. I'm a Cincinnati Reds fan and I've had Cubs fans tell me it's cheaper for them to drive down to Cincinnati, stay in a hotel and go to a game here than it is for them to go to a game in Chicago.
     
  7. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    Wow! Thanks for the heads up!
     
  8. Obi Anne

    Obi Anne Celebration Mistress of Ceremonies star 8 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Nov 4, 1998
    I definitely want to visit the Science Museum, only trouble is that the person I'm going to hang out with Tuesday and Wednesday have tickets to the 501st party that's going to be there and might not want to visit it twice.
     
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  9. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    April is probably an easier time to get a ticket and I assume you're not driving where you'll have to pay for parking, so its probably pretty doable at a reasonable cost. One thing to be aware of is a lot of games in the midwest get cancelled in April due to weather. Unfortunately, if that happens, you won't get a refund. You'll just get an option for the makeup or trading for another date which obviously doesn't help out of towners. Just letting people know there's a little risk there.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2019
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  10. EnviousSerious-Rue

    EnviousSerious-Rue Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    May 4, 2009
    Love the Industrial Science Museum! I remember it well during a field trip in high school.
    At the time I was fourteen but I'll never forget the human body exhibit. If it's still there, you'll
    be fascinated.
     
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  11. navarr

    navarr Jedi Master

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2011
    The Adler Planetarium is a really great place to visit and not far from the convention center. I used to go there a lot when I lived in Chicago.
     
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  12. Amon_Amarth

    Amon_Amarth Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2005
    I was there at a conference a couple of years ago, and the waterfront boat cruise was my highlight.

    The Field Museum is also famous for its extensive palaeontological collection, and one of the best Natural History museums in the US, housing the amazing Sue the T-Rex. Definitely planning another trip there.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2019
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  13. torjoreyri

    torjoreyri Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    May 9, 2014
    I highly encourage visitors to try some of our local cuisine. The fare at Rainforest Cafe can't be beat.
     
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  14. KyloSpence

    KyloSpence Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    Oct 25, 2016
    We invite you to our Pre-Celebration tradition!

    Forcechella 2: Electric Boogaloo



    Event Page:
    Will be at:
    Brando’s Speakeasy
    343 S Dearborn St, Chicago, Illinois 60604
    https://brandoschicago.com/
    4/10/19
    21+ unfortunately
    PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT, IT IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE TIL WE HIT FIRE CODE!
    8PM-Close
    5-15 Min Uber/Lyft ride from McCormick

    300k Karaoke Songs!
    Full Menu! So eat early here, stay late!
    Full drink menu INCLUDING Adult Blue Milk
    Full website INCLUDING pre-order Forcechella Merchandise forthcoming. If you are under 21 or can’t make the event, you can still order and have it delivered to your home!

    Fire code is around 200. So come early. Stay late! Don't get locked out!



    Also order your merch now and have it delivered to your home before Forcechella. (There will be no pickups*.

    Best deal: Get the Exclusive Droopy McCool Pin and #FC2 shirt for $25 and get a poster for free if you wear the shirt to #FC2!

    Order at www.starwars20.net

    International Orders, please email your order to sw20@starwars20.net

    More surprises and information coming sooner than you think!
     
  15. darthvader88

    darthvader88 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 29, 2005
    How much was the waterfront boat cruise?
     
  16. LAJ_FETT

    LAJ_FETT Tech Admin (2007-2023) - She Held Us Together star 10 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    May 25, 2002
    TFN Main has details of the 501st's Night at Canto Bight:

    Each time, the folks over at the 501st Legion have taken upon themselves to put the "celebration" in Star Wars Celebration. Their gatherings are one of the highlights of the weekend to be sure and fans from all over flock to these parties.

    At this year's Celebration Chicago, they are switching things up a bit. Normally, it's just a 501st Legion Event, this year it's all the major clubs combined including the Rebel Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, Droid Builders, Saber Guild, and more!

    Tickets are now on sale for this all-inclusive event which gets you everything from free parking, access to the museum, food, open bar, music, the works!

    Here's some of the details...

    Date: Thursday, April 11th
    Time: 8 pm opening to 2 am closing.
    Location: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL., 60637
    Cost: $125.00 per ticket
    Parking: included in ticket price
    Food Service: Heavy Hors d’ouvres.
    Bar Service: Open bar, unlimited drinks for attendees.
    Ticket payment: Paypal required to purchase tickets, sorry—no other payment options are being taken.


    *Additional information: The cost of the ticket includes parking, admittance to the entire museum and all its interactive displays. Onsite Childcare may be available, please stay tuned for additional information. Note, the Bash is 18+ only.

    See the article for a link for further information!.
     
  17. groove790

    groove790 Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2010
    This one looks like a blast and it's a great venue. I hate that I can't make it. I don't come in until Friday evening and I'll have my 8 yr old son with me. The 501st Bash at Orlando 17 was definitely a highlight of that Celebration!
     
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  18. Amon_Amarth

    Amon_Amarth Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Jan 27, 2005
    I got the Bash ticket. Mostly cause I heard good thing about it and regretted not trying to get a ticket when it was in London.

    $30 for a 2h cruise, in 2015. Though this was a reduced group price through the conference.
     
  19. Darkslayer

    Darkslayer #1 Sabine Wren Fan star 7

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2013
    As a Chicago-area native, I highly recommend both the Museum of Science and Industry and the Adler Planetarium.
     
  20. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    Apparently the Cubs are doing Star Wars Night on that Saturday

    The first 10,000 fans gets a Cubs/FO blanket
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
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  21. cubman987

    cubman987 Friendly Neighborhood Saga/Music/Fun & Games Mod star 7 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Nov 7, 2014
    What's disappointing is that it's opening weekend (so tickets will be hard to get/expensive) and they are all day games, I was hoping to stop by the Friendly Confines for a game but don't want to leave the convention to do so.
     
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  22. MotivateR5D4

    MotivateR5D4 Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2015
    Wow, a Star Wars Night that actually lines up with an actual SW happening doesn't happen very often. They're usually on random days throughout summer, not ever on like May 4th or right after a release or anything.

    Well, that counts me out. I'm not leaving Celebration for that.
     
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  23. cubman987

    cubman987 Friendly Neighborhood Saga/Music/Fun & Games Mod star 7 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Nov 7, 2014
    Yeah it's a bit disappointing....very slight chance the schedule changes but night games at Wrigley in April aren't usually ideal with the cold/weather.
     
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  24. Padme501st

    Padme501st Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 4, 2006
    Yeah the game starts at 1:20pm
     
  25. star_wars_is_good

    star_wars_is_good Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2002
    They're also playing Anaheim. It's not often Mike Trout comes to Wrigley.