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Step 1
Kids - If you are bringing kids to watch the race, the day can be extremely long for them especially if the weather conditions are extreme which is often the case in Chicago. Luckily the course offers a number of kid-friendly entertainment option with much of it being free! If the family is watching from the start/finish area in Grant Park, be sure to take the kids up the “Bean” at Millennium Park which is just north of the start. The Bean and the wading pools are must sees! If you travel north to watch the race as it weaves through Lincoln Park, the course goes right by the zoo boast free admission. This also can be a great reprieve for the younger travelers. If taking the “El” (subway) to the zoo, get off at Fullerton but note this is a big walk. You may want to consider a taxi.
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Step 2
Chinatown - If you are looking for a unique experience, Chinatown is extremely accessible from the Red Line on the “El” (Chinatown exit). Take the train south to Chinatown and plan on a great lunch at one of the many restaurants. Be sure to check out the unique shops and stores. When your marathoner should be coming through town go ahead and join the raucous crowd (complete with a Chinese dragon and drums). This is a part of the course where many runners start to hit a wall and Chinatown is a great place to help your runner along as they enter the final stretch of the race.
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Step 3
High-density viewing – If you want to see your runner multiple times, grabbing a glimpse downtown is often the best choice. Early on it the race, with 40,000 runners it may be hard to find your athlete so make sure you know what he/she wearing and also create a sign at the expo so your athlete can find you. If you watch from LaSalle street, just north of downtown, you can watch your racer head north and also walk over to see them again as they loop back down into the city. This gives you enough time to easily make the jaunt to Chinatown and back to the finish line using the Red Line train. If you don’t feel like venturing off by train and taxi, the downtown option is great for a relaxing day to see a runner multiple times while you stay located in the downtown area.
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Step 4
Low-density viewing – If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, there are a few options. The course is sparsely lined with spectators as the runners head west toward Greek Town. This is another great option to grab some food and to view your runner. Another option is Michigan Avenue as the runners start their final turn north. This is honestly where the runners need the most encouragement as they struggle through the last few miles. Both locations can be a little more difficult to access because the Red Line stops are farther away.
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Step 5
Be sure to have a plan for meeting up after the marathon. The Chicago Marathon does organize a family reunite area which really works well.
