Have you heard? NASCAR's returning to the streets of Chicago for another spectacular race, following on from last year's roaring success. On the weekend of July 6-7, the Windy City will play host to this special Grant Park event, featuring two days of racing, a music festival, and much more!
With plenty going on to mark the occasion, there's no better time to visit. Whether you're heading to the race or just vacationing in Chi-town that weekend, we're here to get you up to speed on all you need to know about the event.
Read on for some handy tips on navigating Chicago during NASCAR Street Race 2024!
Where is NASCAR Chicago taking place?
Grant Park in Downtown Chicago is where you’ll find most of the weekend’s action. The actual race days are Saturday July 6 and Sunday July 7, and the course will take competitors through Michigan Avenue, South Columbus Drive, South DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain.
Check out the course layout here!
How easy will it be to get around Chicago that weekend?
During and on the lead up to the event, you can expect some road closures, parking restrictions and traffic diversions around Grant Park. The latest traffic information can be found on the NASCAR website. Be sure to check this before you travel! If you're planning on sightseeing in Chicago around this time, we recommend allowing for extra travel time between attractions, as public transport and roads are expected to be a bit busier than normal. If you can, explore on foot. It'll be your best option in most cases.
Will Chicago's attractions be open during NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
If you’ve bought a Chicago pass from Go City, you may be wondering whether or not the Street Race will affect local businesses' opening hours. With many of Chicago’s top attractions such as Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum being located around Grant Park, that's a fair question. It’s likely that attractions will have reduced opening hours during the race days, and some may close for the weekend. If you plan on using our pass between late June and early July, we recommend you check each attraction's page on our website or app directly for the latest information on opening hours and closures.
Are there still tickets available for NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
If you want to get in on the action, tickets are still available for the racing event of the year! Single-day tickets can be purchased for the first time this year, starting from $150pp, giving you access to all the racing and music action on the day you choose. You can also opt for a two-day ticket, starting from $269pp, giving you trackside viewing of all races and access to the event’s concert and festivities for the whole weekend.
Premium access tickets are also available if you’ve got some extra cash to splash. All options can be purchased on the official website.
Is it worth going to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
With all ticket options, you'll get access to a snazzy trackside vantage point to watch the races. Saturday’s race – The Loop 110 – is a 50-lap extravaganza taking place over 110 miles, and Sunday's event – the Grant Park 165 – is a 75-lap race over 220 miles.
As well as the race, you’ll get to see sets from Keith Urban, The Chainsmokers, The Black Keys and Lauren Alaina who'll take to the stage for some pre- and post-race entertainment.
Are there any free NASCAR events I can go to?
If you're not too bothered about seeing the race up close, you can still enjoy the exciting atmosphere of the event by heading to Butler Park, where there will be free festival activities, without the pricey admission ticket.
And if NASCAR's not your thing, there are still plenty of top attractions and experiences in Chicago to be found with Go City!
Where's best to eat and drink near Grant Park?
If you've got tickets to the race, NASCAR's got you covered for food and drinks. They're promising plenty of delicious foodie options within the event!
If you're just looking to be near the action, Downtown Chicago has literally endless options for wining and dining. First off, we recommend you make your way to Eleven City Diner, where you can load up on big plates of classic breakfast food. For lunch on the move, we recommend hitting Devil Dawg's South Loop venue and grabbing a loaded Chicago-style hotdog. Sticking with Chicago classics, if you'd rather a sit-down meal, we cannot hype up Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria's deep dishes enough!
When evening rolls around, there's nowhere we'd rather be than The Gage. With its large mahogany bar, well-poured pints of Guinness, and sage green tiles, this gastropub has all the makings of a great Irish bar.
Check out this handy resource guide to find more dining spots that are close to the race.
What other events are taking place in Chicago?
NASCAR aside, July is a great time to be in Chicago, with plenty of summer celebrations to keep you busy. You've got the Millennium Park Summer Music Series taking place across select dates in July and August, featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, Terrace Martin, and more top artists. There's also the award-winning Grant Park Music Festival starting from July 12 and taking place on select weekends. Plus, a special four-day Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration from July 18–21.
Down by Navy Pier, there's the fabulous Live on the Lake event which runs throughout the whole of summer. Here, you can enjoy great live music against a backdrop of gorgeous lakeside scenery and it's totally free!
If you're in the Windy City in early August, you can't miss Lollapalooza – Chicago's world-famous music festival, with Hozier, Blink-182 and The Killers making up the impressive lineup.
Got more questions about NASCAR Chicago Street Race? Then check out their FAQs page.
Ready to plan your Chicago trip? Then find out more about our Chicago passes!
Kirsten is a Scottish-born and London-based travel writer and copywriter, who’s always planning her next sunny escape. Her passion for solo travel has seen her teaching English in rural Spain, taking a gap year to party in Berlin, and living on the road in South America. As well as Go City, Kirsten has written for Skyscanner, KAYAK, Trainline, Culture Trip, and momondo.
