Chicago Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

8 to 10 October 2027 · ConfirmedChicago, United StatesOne of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Chicago Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Chicago.

Tours in Chicago Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

The expo is at McCormick Place on Friday and Saturday.
October weather swings from warm to cold: check the forecast the day before.

Airport to Start and finish: Grant Park

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes.

The flat loop starts and finishes in Grant Park downtown.

Public transport directions to Start and finish: Grant Park

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

Links search the nights from 7 October to 11 October. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 8 to 10 October 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 6 October

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayArt Institute of Chicago Half day · Indoor · Low walking
World-class collection.
EatPequod's Caramelised-crust pizza

Day before the race

Thursday 7 October

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingChicago Architecture Center river cruise Half day · Low walking · Family
The famous 90-minute river cruise.
EatLou Malnati's Deep-dish pizza

Race day

Friday 8 October

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointLincoln Park and Lakeview (miles 6 to 9): north side, Brown and Red lines.
Cheer pointPilsen (mile 19) and Chinatown (mile 21): lively neighbourhoods on the Pink and Red lines.
EatPortillo's Italian beef and hot dogs

Recovery day

Monday 11 October

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingDeep-dish pizza and food tour Half day · Food
Pizza, Italian beef and hot dogs.
Rain or heat backupSkydeck at Willis Tower Half day · Family · Indoor
Glass ledge 103 floors up.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Chicago Architecture Center river cruise

The famous 90-minute river cruise.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Skydeck at Willis Tower

Glass ledge 103 floors up.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Bike tour of the lakefront

Lakefront trail and parks.

See times and prices

Field Museum.
Shedd Aquarium.
Museum of Science and Industry.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Blues club night

Live blues in the city that electrified it.

See times and prices

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Lake Michigan sunset cruise

Skyline from the lake.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife

Gangsters and ghosts tour

Prohibition history.

See times and prices

After dark

River North and Wicker Park.

8 tours worth booking for Chicago Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
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
Skydeck at Willis Tower	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Bike tour of the lakefront	Half day	Families
Blues club night	Evening	Night owls
Lake Michigan sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls
Gangsters and ghosts tour	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Lou Malnati's Deep-dish pizza
Portillo's Italian beef and hot dogs
Au Cheval Burger in the West Loop
Time Out Market Chicago Food hall
Girl and the Goat West Loop small plates
Pequod's Caramelised-crust pizza

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Art Institute of Chicago

World-class collection.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Skydeck at Willis Tower

Glass ledge 103 floors up.

See times and prices

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 Chicago Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Chicago Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 8 to 10 October 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Start and finish: Grant Park?

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes. The flat loop starts and finishes in Grant Park downtown.

Where should I stay for Chicago Marathon?

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 Chicago Marathon?

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 Chicago Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Skydeck at Willis Tower, Bike tour of the lakefront. Field Museum.

How far is Start and finish: Grant Park from Chicago centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. The flat loop starts and finishes in Grant Park downtown.

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