Dead ahead: You can still book these Chicago hotels for Grateful Dead weekend

Placing your bets on a spectacular Vegas fireworks show this Fourth of July? What about a date with Lady Liberty? While Sin City and New York are both coveted cities for celebrating the birth of our nation, the top spot this year belongs to Chicago, thanks to a trio of Grateful Dead reunion/send-off shows happening July 3-5 at Soldier Field, touted “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead.” Deadheads will remember Chicago—particularly Soldier Field—as the last place former frontman Jerry Garcia performed his final shows in 1995, making this weekend even more special.

“The Fourth of July is a nice draw to Chicago, yet this year’s 4th is off the charts,” said Reid Webster, Orbitz.com’s Regional Director. “The Grateful Dead reunion shows are having a huge impact on our room sales and availability.” But don’t get your dreadlocks in a twist, Fare Thee Well-goers. Chicago hotels still are available.

Chicago hotel bookings are up 122 percent over last year, according to Orbitz booking data, and while many hotels across town are dangling their no vacancy signs, there’s no reason to call your plans dead just yet. There is still availability, for now, though prices are above average and some properties are requiring minimum stays.

Palmer House Hilton

One-night stays
If you’retruckin’ on into the city for a one-night stand with the Dead on Friday, July 3, the Talbott Hotel ($475/night) and the Warwick Allerton Hotel Chicago ($444/night) are two Mag Mile classics with rooms available. Meanwhile, the storied Palmer House Hilton ($439/night) in the heart of the Chicago Loop and the boutique Hotel Felix ($428/night) in booming River North also have rooms.

If the golden road is leading you to Chicago on Saturday only (Independence Day), you’re out of luck at the Talbott, although the Warwick, Palmer House and Hotel Felix all have availability.

Thompson Chicago’s lobby

Two-night stays
If mama tried to hit up Chicago for a two-night stay (July 3-5), but was turned away, she should’ve checked the following hotels: Both the aforementioned Talbott Hotel and Warwick are currently booking two-night minimum stays as is the ultra-chic Thompson Chicago in the Gold Coast ($661/night) and the Palomar Chicago ($509/night) in River North, just steps away from the Magnificent Mile.

Inn of Chicago’s rooftop deck

Three-night stays
Lastly, if it’s a three-day weekend (July 3-6) you seek, well, Jack Straw, we have good news. The Talbott, the Warwick, the Thompson and the Inn of Chicago ($405/night) in Streeterville can all still accommodate visitors for the full holiday weekend, so ramble on, Rose…

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Tagged: Hotels, Midwest