Northerly Island
Northerly Island
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
122 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
29
Average
18
Poor
10
Terrible
28
kasejason
Chicago, IL357 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
Northerly Island is a great place to visit if you have the time. It has some nice trails and a decent beach. Above all, Northerly Island is my favorite place to see a concert in Chicago. You get to be outside and see the Chicago skyline as a backdrop to the stage. What's more, the lake is directly behind the seating, so you can even have views of the open water. All in all, it's a fabulous location.
Here are five tips to help you enjoy your visit (assuming you're coming for a concert).
1. On concert days, parking is free at the Solider Field north parking garage. When you exit the garage, walk towards the Field Museum (north) and you will see a trolley stop. You can take a free trolley from here to the entrance of Northerly Island. This will save you some time as you wont have to walk all the way to the Planetarium area on foot. You can also take a trolley back after the concert, but the lines for these trolleys tend to be pretty long.
2. Once you have entered the concert grounds, the best/ cleanest bathroom can be found southeast of the stage. Most people make a beeline for the bathrooms nearest the entrance, so these tend to be more crowded. The bathrooms in the southeast see less use and are usually cleaner.
3. There are no bad seats, as the venue is relatively small. If you like to stand, just buy the cheapest ticket you can find and go stand at the top of each seating section. There is a nice open area there that can accommodate several people. You will still be close enough that you can really enjoy the show.
4. Try to eat before you arrive at the concert. The prices for food and drinks are inflated and you will end up spending a fortune if you wait until the concert to eat.
5. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you go. It can be 80 degrees and sunny in the city, but it might feel closer to 55 degrees once the sun sets and the breeze hits you from the lake. It's a good idea to have a jacket or sweatshirt with you, even in the summer.
Here are five tips to help you enjoy your visit (assuming you're coming for a concert).
1. On concert days, parking is free at the Solider Field north parking garage. When you exit the garage, walk towards the Field Museum (north) and you will see a trolley stop. You can take a free trolley from here to the entrance of Northerly Island. This will save you some time as you wont have to walk all the way to the Planetarium area on foot. You can also take a trolley back after the concert, but the lines for these trolleys tend to be pretty long.
2. Once you have entered the concert grounds, the best/ cleanest bathroom can be found southeast of the stage. Most people make a beeline for the bathrooms nearest the entrance, so these tend to be more crowded. The bathrooms in the southeast see less use and are usually cleaner.
3. There are no bad seats, as the venue is relatively small. If you like to stand, just buy the cheapest ticket you can find and go stand at the top of each seating section. There is a nice open area there that can accommodate several people. You will still be close enough that you can really enjoy the show.
4. Try to eat before you arrive at the concert. The prices for food and drinks are inflated and you will end up spending a fortune if you wait until the concert to eat.
5. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you go. It can be 80 degrees and sunny in the city, but it might feel closer to 55 degrees once the sun sets and the breeze hits you from the lake. It's a good idea to have a jacket or sweatshirt with you, even in the summer.
Written August 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewbieK
Chicago, IL440 contributions
We've been to the pavilion at Northerly Island several times now, under the right circumstances, it's amazing. BUT you have to follow a couple of rules, in my opinion, at least...
ALWAYS buy VIP seats here, at least, if you are an adult. During most shows, VIP seats are in a covered section on the right side of the stage. If it rains at all, you will thank me.
NEVER sit in the lawn. Don't believe me? Look up what happened with the Jimmy Buffet show summer 2013. Want to relive Woodstock? Sit in the lawn.
ALWAYS go for "smaller" shows. Use this venue for bands that don't sell out or bands that draw an older, calmer crowd.
NEVER go for large shows. They can't handle it. Their bathrooms, their staff, the amount of ice they have for use to keep your beer cold. seriously. They cannot handle the large shows. If the lawn is open, don't go.
I know I sound fussy, but these are my make it or break it rules for having a good time at Northerly Island. I've seen this place at its best and it's worse. At it's best, the view of the lake, the city and the incredible sound from a facility like this cannot be beat. At it's worst, over crowded, under staffed and embarrassingly unprepared, you'll be screaming for a refund and walking out without shoes.
ALWAYS buy VIP seats here, at least, if you are an adult. During most shows, VIP seats are in a covered section on the right side of the stage. If it rains at all, you will thank me.
NEVER sit in the lawn. Don't believe me? Look up what happened with the Jimmy Buffet show summer 2013. Want to relive Woodstock? Sit in the lawn.
ALWAYS go for "smaller" shows. Use this venue for bands that don't sell out or bands that draw an older, calmer crowd.
NEVER go for large shows. They can't handle it. Their bathrooms, their staff, the amount of ice they have for use to keep your beer cold. seriously. They cannot handle the large shows. If the lawn is open, don't go.
I know I sound fussy, but these are my make it or break it rules for having a good time at Northerly Island. I've seen this place at its best and it's worse. At it's best, the view of the lake, the city and the incredible sound from a facility like this cannot be beat. At it's worst, over crowded, under staffed and embarrassingly unprepared, you'll be screaming for a refund and walking out without shoes.
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna H
Chicago, IL27 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
The pros: Beautiful venue right on Lake Michigan. Not a bad seat in the house and if you don't like sitting, you can stand along the sides and back and no one bothers you. the sound is good and they have large video screens so you don't miss anything no matter where you sit. The restrooms on the south side of the venue are much less busy than the ones where you first walk in, and no waiting at all while the concert is going. Cons: At intermission, there are just not enough concessions, but if you are only looking for a beer or water, the small vendors did not have lines. Parking is a nightmare and confusing. When you buy your ticket, get the premium parking. Worth every penny and it gets you very close to the venue. Without the VIP parking, you have to go to the north museum parking lot, and it is not marked well. We ended up going all the way around the drive past the premium parking and back to the garage. Once in the garage, it was a l5 minute walk to the venue and we ended up missing half of the first band. They have trolleys going both ways but on the way back, the traffic is so bad, you might as well walk. Get to the event early so you don't have to deal with the traffic and parking. Eat before you go. Prices are ridiculously inflated.
Written June 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Livy
World17 contributions
Aug 2021
We LOVED 12th street beach! Minimal crowds despite the airshow. Originally went to a beach further north but left immediately due to crowds and no swimming. Water was clean here, sand was soft. There are bathrooms available. The beach itself is small but cozy. DO NOT eat at the taco place. Charged us $10 each for 2 slices of quesadilla that didn't come with anything it said on the menu. The kid working the register didn't even know what they sold. I had to point out things to him on the menu and his response to almost everything was "uhh...we don't have that, I think". Other than that, great place. Parking is $25 flat rate for a full day.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander35930589037
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
We went with family and unfortunately, we were separated because tifket mastwrndid not allow us to bjy ebough tickets during presale, that's another story. So we were within rows of each other. Every time qe tried to go near neach other and apeak we had a blonde amgry woman staring at us and following us. At one point she told me i couldn't stand nearnmy familie's seat as I said yes i could we payed for it. She then gave us dirty looks. The seats themselves are pretty basi hard folding chairs. There is no eleavtion so the views are not good. Most seata arent good. We were in 5th row and even our seats were just so so. There arenmany better venues with nicer security that won't stalk you.
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClewBayMc
Chicago7 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
FANTASTIC venue, but my advice is to drive an and park there! I was at a concert over the weekend and we stayed downtown at a hotel and thought it would be easiest to take a cab both ways – big mistake!. The cabbie on the way to the concert, dropped us off at the wrong place and we had to walk about a mile and a half. At that point, we flagged down one cab and he said he wouldn’t take us there and squealed off. We did find another cab to get us but he told us that the reason we were probably dropped off at the wrong place and turned down by the second cab was because the traffic is so bad going in there that they lose money on those trips. That makes sense. Well, the walk that we had to do going there wasn’t really a big deal because it was beautiful weather. Coming out was a different story. There was no cabs to be had and we had to walk and walk and walk. We walked LITERALLY about 5 or 6 miles before we were able to get a cab. Now, at this point, it was after midnight and two women walking alone from the lakefront is never a good idea. Thankfully, we were fine but if I had bothered to ask around or research it, I would have known to just drive there and park. I’m not sure how much parking costs there but I don’t drink beer to begin with but for those who do drink beer, it was $14 a beer. Do THAT math! I’m not cheap but seriously, for the cost of 3 beers, I could get a new pair of shoes… I’d opt for the shoes!
On another note, it was very clean, the staff was very friendly and instead of those horrible porta-potty things, they have trailers with bathrooms in them. They are air conditioned, running water and very clean. There was an attendant inside each trailer that I went into, constantly wiping down the sinks, filling toilet paper, etc. Very impressive!
I hope this someone out in the future!
On another note, it was very clean, the staff was very friendly and instead of those horrible porta-potty things, they have trailers with bathrooms in them. They are air conditioned, running water and very clean. There was an attendant inside each trailer that I went into, constantly wiping down the sinks, filling toilet paper, etc. Very impressive!
I hope this someone out in the future!
Written July 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne T
Silverthorne, CO65 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
We went to the Jimmy Buffet concert last weekend at the "newly improved", expanded concert venue on Northerly Island. What a mess! We purchased lawn seats and I will never go back! The lawn was an absolute mess with mud and water causing your feet to sink in over 4 inches. The newly planted sod was floating and places to set out your blanket were few. Parrotheads are a hearty bunch but paying $50 for a ticket to a concert where you do not have ANY view of the stage is a joke. I am not referring to an obstructed view. We were about 25 yards back from the very front of the lawn and there was not chance at seeing the stage at all. I think LiveNation messed up expanding the pavillion. Mud everywhere, Port-a-johns for paying customers without sani-stations, ridiculously long lines for concessions. The exits were narrow and jammed at the end. We were glad not to have participated in the parking mayhem after the concert as we walked to the island. Never again, I say. LiveNation has some work to do. Not good.
Written July 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shelia965
Bloomingdale, IL74 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Went to see Donnie Brothers and Chicago last night. Thought we had great seats until we got there! The seats are folding chairs made for a hundred pound person. They are cable tied together. Now imagine a full row of overweight 50-60 years olds siting together and it's 95 degrees outside and humid!!! We live in a suburb and always take the train into the city, then use public transportation. The cab dropped us off on the turnaround in front of the Planetarium and venue. We left the concert early, due to the fact that my husband had a knee replacement 4 weeks prior , and felt it would be easier not fighting the crowd at the end. Little did we know that the street is closed afterwards and does not allow any public transportation in to pick up! The only thing there were the bike rickshaws to take you where you needed to go. We asked one to get us to Union Station......$60....... uh no thanks! So we walked a mile to get a cab ! We don't mind walking, actually love it, but not 4 weeks after knee surgery! On top of it, didn't even get a cocktail!! $15-20! Wake up people ...this is Chicago....we are hardworking Midwesteners who like our beer and burgers, but not at that price!! Never going back again!!
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan H
Western Springs, IL6 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
My wife and I saw Sammy Hagar and Rival Sons August 23, 2013 at this venue. We had reserved seating. Imagine asphault with row numbers painted on it, then rows of narrow uncomfortable folding chairs tied together with wire ties (zip-strips). I'm 5' 9" and 175 lbs and found the seating very cramped. I had to turn my shoulders sideways so there was enough room for the average sized person next to me. If you're a large person, or you are seated next to a large person, it would be a horrible experience. By the middle of the show, the rows were haphazardly moved forward or back as nothing anchors them down.
The bathrooms are mobile trailers. My wife said the women's bathroom was out of toilet paper before the show even began. By the middle of the first set, the toilets in the women's restrooms were overflowing.
Beer ranged in price from $8 to $13. Food was available, but also expensive.
We paid an extra $30 to purchase VIP parking which was within 200' of the entrance - we recommend it. The "free" parking was at Soldier Field and was either a long walk or a wait for a shuttle bus.
Most of the security personnel were outside the venue making sure nobody hopped the fence. Inside, we saw one 18 year old venue staff member who was helping people find their seats. If you found someone sitting in your seat, you probably would be on your own.
The sight-lines were poor. We were in section 202, row F and saw most of the concert by watching the jumbo screens. There is a very slight elevation toward the back of the facility, but not enough to make for good sight-lines.
Thank goodness the bands were good. We won't be going back to this venue.
The bathrooms are mobile trailers. My wife said the women's bathroom was out of toilet paper before the show even began. By the middle of the first set, the toilets in the women's restrooms were overflowing.
Beer ranged in price from $8 to $13. Food was available, but also expensive.
We paid an extra $30 to purchase VIP parking which was within 200' of the entrance - we recommend it. The "free" parking was at Soldier Field and was either a long walk or a wait for a shuttle bus.
Most of the security personnel were outside the venue making sure nobody hopped the fence. Inside, we saw one 18 year old venue staff member who was helping people find their seats. If you found someone sitting in your seat, you probably would be on your own.
The sight-lines were poor. We were in section 202, row F and saw most of the concert by watching the jumbo screens. There is a very slight elevation toward the back of the facility, but not enough to make for good sight-lines.
Thank goodness the bands were good. We won't be going back to this venue.
Written August 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
soccermom1122
Arlington Heights, IL73 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Had section 311 seats for Bare Naked Ladies concert last night. Great view of stage, nice breeze on a warm summer night. No big lines for bathrooms (air conditioned trailers), beer, etc. Beer was $11 or $13 for 24 oz. Picnic at beach before you go in. I can see why people would not want lawn seats as they are outside of the actual venue and you wouldn't be able to see anything but our seats were great. Friends that had more expensive floor seats couldn't see as well since the incline was very slight so they actually stood at the top of our section instead of sitting in their tight (too close together) seats. Would definitely go back in 300 level seats.
Written July 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you walk from any nearby hotels directly to the concert venue? We are flying in from out of town and will not have a car with us... was hoping to book a hotel within walking distance. My concern is trying to find a cab after the show... thanks
Written March 30, 2018
If you stay at a hotel like the Hilton on south Michigan Avenue, then it would be about a mile and half walk.
Written March 30, 2018
You didn't say what Metra train line that you would be taking, but if you are heading in to downtown, and your final stop is Union Station, you can either take a cab or call for an Uber to get you to Northerly Island. That would probably be the fastest way.
Written June 1, 2017
lbgrdnr
Chicago, Illinois
Why different prices in lawn seat? What are the differences? Is lawn seat a good way to see the lake and Chicago skyline?
Written April 20, 2017
Any place on Northerly Island is a great way to see Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Don't forget, Northerly Island used to be Meigs Field, the lakefront Chicago airport, that Mayor Daley (the younger) took upon himself to destroy and turn it in to a park. So, the entire island is about as flat, as flat can be.
Written April 20, 2017
Thanks for the heads up as I am attending The Laid-Back Festival this Saturday ( July 16th ). Where do you suggest I park then ,with out a long walk or $30 price tag. City Park off of Michigan Ave. then Uber over??
Thanks!
Written July 12, 2016
Thanks, and yes, that would be one option. The best budget option would be the Chicago Transit system. The Roosevelt station on the Red Line is just west of
Northerly Island, a short walk. If you are driving from outside the city, park in one of the neighborhoods close to a CTA station. Use the "Trip Planner" feature on the CTA site, and it will get you right where you need to be. Just a note, parking along the Blue Line, the line that leaves O'Hare, is pretty cheap. $5 at River Road (Rosemont) station, and $1.50 at Jefferson Park Transit Center. Have a good time!
Written July 12, 2016
Well idk not liking these reviews, was considering going to farm aid, but now I'm thinking that might be one big train wreck?? What's everyone's thoughts??
Written July 28, 2015
Northerly Island is a great place for a concert...I gave it a good review and I was there a couple of weeks ago
Written July 29, 2015
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