Live Harness Racing at Balmoral Park
Balmoral Park has been a staple in the Illinois racing community since it was first built as, “Lincoln Fields,” in 1925. As Chicago’s premier live harness racing facility, Balmoral Park offers a full 10 horse fields, guaranteed betting pools, great weather and big payouts, all of which make it a popular tourist destination for visitors and residents of the Chicago area. Located nearby our Chicago Midway Hotel, the park hosts live racing on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays year round, and Simulcast wagering (for racetracks across the United States and Canada) everday from 11:00am onwards.
Visiting Balmoral Park for Live Harness Racing
Live harness racing at Balmoral Park is a great way to spend the day, whether you’re planning on betting on the races or just interested in enjoying a day outside and watching the competitions. Admission is free for the grandstand area of the park for live racing, and costs $2.00 per person for the Lincoln Room or Balmoral Club. The Lincoln Room and Balmoral Club are indoor facilities where you can watch the races as well as enjoy dining options ranging from fine dining in the Balmoral Club (dress code is required and reservations are recommended) to Bar & Grill style food at the Lincoln Room. There are also full concessions available in the grandstand and throughout the facility on the first and second floors as well as trackside concessions with a range of snack foods like hotdogs, pizza and nachos as well as beer and soft drinks.
Special Events at Balmoral Park
Balmoral Park is also known for its many special and fundraising events. In October they hosted a well received breast cancer fundraising evening and they have more special events coming up in February including the, “Winter Bean Bag Tournament at Balmoral Park.” This special event is a team tournament following a single elimination match and double elimination tournament structure. There is s $20 entry fee and you can pre-register using the phone number listed at the link above. First prize is $250.00 and second is $150.00, only those 18 and older are able to compete.
Group Events at Balmoral Park
Balmoral Park is also well known for its fun group events. If you’re coming to town for a corporate event, bachelor or bachelorette party, birthday party or are just looking for something entertaining to do with a large group why not contact Balmoral Park and see what options they have? It’s a great idea for something original and unique for your entire group.
Visiting Chicago via Midway Airport? Stay at our Chicago Midway Airport Hotel
If you’re coming to Chicago and are traveling through the Chicago Midway Airport and are looking for a convenient place to stay, why not try our Chicago Midway Airport Hotel which is conveniently situated by the Midway Airport as well as many other nearby attractions including Balmoral Park.
Upcoming Chicago Events: Animals, Explosions, Automobiles and Boats!
There are many great events that go on year round near our Best Western Chicago Midway hotel. Due to our Midway Airport Hotel’s convenient location, we’re able to recommend many great Chicago events to our many visitors and guests. The first few months of the New Year are always a busy time in Chicago and the events listed below are just a few of the great events taking place at the many attractions near our Midway Hotel.
Chicago Events in January
The Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show at McCormick Place
The Chicago Boat Show is on of the most popular Chicago events that takes place every year at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event runs from January 12th – 16th daily and costs $10.00 to attend. Whether you love the outdoors or are just looking for something fun to do with your family for the day, this is a great place to find everything you need for your next adventure including DIY shows, gear, lodges and resorts, and accessories.
Chicago Events in February
The Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place
A highlight of the winter tourist season
in Chicago, the Auto Show at McCormick Place is one of the must-see Chicago events for all of our guests staying at our Best Western Chicago Midway Hotel between February 10th and 19th. The show, which first began in 1901, is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto show on the continent.
The Genghis Khan Exhibit at the Field Museum
Great for guests of all ages, this exhibit explores the amazing story of one of the world’s greatest leaders and most terrifying conquerors. The Field Museum is situated just 20 minutes from our Midway Airport Hotel and is full of great exhibits all year round!
Chicago Events in March
MythBusters the Explosive Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is an extremely popular tourist spot in Chicago and is well-known for its educational, interactive and exciting exhibits and the MythBusters exhibit coming in March is no exception. Beginning on March 15th the exhibit allows to you test popular myths like, “Why does toast always seem to land butter-side down?” as well as watch live demonstrations, explore props from the popular Discovery Channel show and perform hands-on experiments.
Christmas Events in Chicago: Lights, Christmas, Action!
Every year we have many great Christmas events in Chicago and 2011 is no exception! This year we have some great Christmas events happening near our Chicago Midway Hotel that are fun and affordable for your entire family, after all, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to experience Christmas events Chicago-style! This year, Zoolights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of our top complimentary Christmas events in Chicago and it’s located just 20 minutes from our Best Western Chicago Midway Hotel.
The event, which runs from December 2nd until January 1st from 5:00pm to 9:00pm nightly brings back the true holiday spirit by offering seasonal cheer free-of-charge to Chicago visitors and locals. With visits from Santa, live ice carving, holiday arts and crafts, as well as holiday food, beverages and unique gift ideas, this is an Christmas event in Chicago that shouldn’t be missed during your visit!
If you have some extra room in your suitcase, why not consider bringing your gently-used spare winter wear with you on your visit and donating it to the Zoolights coat drive, to help those in need this winter? Collection boxes are placed throughout the Zoo and
Other Christmas Events in Chicago Worth Visiting
If you have some more time during your visit, why not stop by the Museum of Science and Industry (one of our favourite attractions in Chicago Midway) for Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights event? This holiday tradition (located just 20 minutes from our hotel) has been active in Chicago since 1942 when it started with a single lit up tree dedicated to the Allies of World War II. Now, with a 45-foot Grand Tree, 30,000 lights, 1,000 ornaments, holiday state performances, intermittent falling snow, and cultural traditions from around the world, this event has definitely evolved over the past 70 years, but hasn’t lost any of its wonderful yuletide messages and is still one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Chicago every year.
December is a wonderful time to visit the Chicago area. If you’re thinking about stopping by to do some shopping, visit family or to simply enjoy Chicago’s winter, contact us to find out how we can make your trip to our Chicago Midway Hotel the best it can be.
Events near Chicago Midway Hotels: Chocolate Around the World
Chocolate is one of the most popular foods in the world, and, an exhibit at the Field Museum in November celebrates the delicious phenomenon. If you’re visiting our Best Western Chicago Midway hotel anytime from November until the New Year we definitely recommend stopping by the exhibit for a tasty and fun time for the whole family.
The museum, which is located just 20 minutes away from our Chicago Midway hotel, walks visitors through several different aspects of chocolate’s history including its origins and how it came to America as well as the different types of chocolate available today. The exhibit which is open from 9:00am – 5:00 pm daily, is suitable for children and adults and features some fun hands-on activities in addition to the factual side of the exhibit including:
- The chocolate challenge: Think you’re a chocolate connoisseur? Test your knowledge with this fun challenge.
- Downloadable kid-friendly chocolate recipes, facts, crossword puzzles and other educational activities.
- Interactive online games like the, “make your own chocolate” interactive manufacturing challenge.
You can buy individual tickets for the event through the Field Museum’s website and if you’re thinking of visiting the exhibit with a group of 10 or more, they have special field museum group discount rates which can make you’re day a little more affordable regardless of how many friends and family you bring with you!
Looking for a Chicago Midway Airport Hotel for your visit to the museum? We are located just 10 minutes from the airport and have all the amenities you need to ensure that your visit to Chicago Midway, no matter how long or short is the best it can be.
Chicago Events: Carn-Evil at Toyota Park Bridgeview
Everyone visiting a Chicago hotel (or just stopping by the area) in October should think about visiting this local “haunted” attraction that guarantees thrills and chills for all of our Best Western Midway hotel guests. Toyota Park Bridgeview is a must-see tourist attraction in the Chicago area for concerts, sporting events and many other world-class shows, and the park’s Carn-Evil Haunted House is no exception. Located just 15 minutes away from our Midway hotel, the event is open from the 14th to the 31st, starting at 7pm nightly. The haunted house is located in Toyota Park’s VIP lot under the big top and features an eerie collection of ghouls and ghosts dedicated to helping you celebrate Halloween with some creepy fun. The haunted house (which has been running in different locations around Chicago since 1978) has perfected its form of, “audience participation theatre” and is guaranteed to give you the seasonal excitement you’re looking for!
Tickets to the event are $10.00 a person, but if you’re time is too precious to risk waiting in lines, you can jump ahead with a special Right in Pass (R.I.P) for $15.00. While weather in the area can be a concern in the Fall, you don’t have to worry about it in this case! While the waiting line for the event is outdoors, there is protection from the rain within the big top’s many tents so you can enjoy Chicago’s Halloween events regardless of the weather forecast.
If you have younger kids, the event isn’t recommended for children under 7 as they may find it a little too frightening, but, the park leaves that to the discretion of parents and they don’t charge for youngsters who feel up to the challenge. If you think you would like to give it a try, but are concerned it may not work out, there are convenient exits throughout the haunted house that a guide can escort you to at any time.
Sound like fun? Our Chicago hotel is conveniently located near the Chicago Midway International Airport and is an ideal location to stay if you’re in town for the night and are thinking about stopping by Toyota Park and the Carn-Evil
Image by Lobo235 on Flickr.