Arrival day
Saturday 12 JuneCheck in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.
- FreeLincoln Park Zoo.
- EatAu Cheval
Northwestern graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Chicago
Sunday, 13 June 2027 · ExpectedChicago, United States
Northwestern Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Chicago for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.
Know before you go
- Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
- Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.
Airport to Ryan Field area, Evanston
O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes.
CTA Purple Line or Metra to Evanston.
Public transport directions to Ryan Field area, Evanston
Where to stay by budget
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | West Loop and South Loop | Near McCormick Place and the trains. |
| Mid-range | River North and the Loop | Walk to the river and Millennium Park. |
| Splurge | Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast | Grand hotels by the lake. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Hotel Chicago West Loop
- Mid-range: Hotel Julian Chicago
- Splurge: The Peninsula Chicago
Day plans for the free hours
Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Sunday, 13 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.
Ceremony day
Sunday 13 JuneCeremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.
- EatTime Out Market Chicago
- Easy outingSkydeck at Willis Tower
The day after
Monday 14 JuneA free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.
- Half-dayBike tour of the lakefront
- EatGirl and the Goat
Grandparents and siblings
Low walking and kid friendly.
- Family pickChicago Architecture Center river cruise
- Rain or heat backupArt Institute of Chicago
Family-friendly picks
Half day · Low walking · Family
Chicago Architecture Center river cruise
The famous 90-minute river cruise.
- Field Museum.
- Shedd Aquarium.
- Museum of Science and Industry.
Evening and day-trip tours
After dark
- River North and Wicker Park.
8 tours worth booking for Northwestern
| Tour | Length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Skydeck at Willis Tower | Half day | Families, Bad weather |
| Bike tour of the lakefront | Half day | Families |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Half day | Bad weather, Tired legs |
| Chicago Architecture Center river cruise | Half day | Tired legs, Families |
| Deep-dish pizza and food tour | Half day | Food lovers |
| Blues club night | Evening | Night owls |
| Lake Michigan sunset cruise | Evening | Tired legs, Night owls |
| Gangsters and ghosts tour | Evening | Night owls |
Where to eat
Rainy-day backups
- Art Institute.
- Field Museum.
Getting around on event days
- CTA L trains and buses take contactless. McCormick Place has a Metra station and the #3 bus.
Day trips from Chicago
- Milwaukee: 1.5 hours by train
- Indiana Dunes: 1 hour
Bringing a group?
Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Northwestern.
Plan a group tripQuestions people ask
When is Northwestern Commencement 2027?
The next edition is Sunday, 13 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.
How do I get from the airport to Ryan Field area, Evanston?
O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes. CTA Purple Line or Metra to Evanston.
Where should I stay for Northwestern Commencement?
For most visitors the best base is River North and the Loop: Walk to the river and Millennium Park.
What else can we do around Northwestern Commencement?
Good short outings in Chicago include Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Deep-dish pizza and food tour, Skydeck at Willis Tower. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.
What is there for kids and families near Northwestern Commencement?
Family-friendly picks: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Skydeck at Willis Tower, Bike tour of the lakefront. Field Museum.
How far is Ryan Field area, Evanston from Chicago centre?
About 21 km in a straight line. CTA Purple Line or Metra to Evanston.
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