Convention Weekend Guide

Explore Chicago

Plan the open exploration time around the official Phi Eta Psi convention schedule, with clear notes on what is included and what attendees arrange independently.

How to Use This Guide

Thursday Is the Primary Open Exploration Day

Thursday, September 17, is the best day for self-guided Chicago sightseeing before the 8:00-10:00 p.m. Welcome Mixer. Friday's Navy Pier and downtown Chicago exploration is part of the published convention schedule from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Official convention activities are listed in the published schedule. Independent options are ideas attendees arrange and purchase themselves, including admission tickets, meals, transportation, timed museum reservations, performance tickets, festival passes, and game tickets.

Information last verified: July 17, 2026

Featured Convention Experiences

These cards distinguish official convention moments from independent experiences that require your own planning.

Obama Presidential Center south elevation in Chicago

Obama Presidential Center

Independent option

Visit the museum and campus in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side. The Obama Foundation currently lists museum hours as Monday 1:00-8:00 p.m. CT and Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT.

Best convention day/time
Thursday daytime before the Welcome Mixer
Approximate location
6001 S. Stony Island Ave., Jackson Park
Reservation note
Entry to the Museum is by timed ticket only; preferred dates may be unavailable, and admission is not included with convention registration.
Museum and ticket information
Chicago Riverwalk walkway beside the Chicago River

Chicago Riverwalk and an architecture cruise

Independent option

The Riverwalk is a practical downtown anchor for a self-guided architecture afternoon. Boat tours are popular and should be reserved early if you want a specific time.

Best convention day/time
Thursday afternoon or Friday before Navy Pier if time allows
Approximate location
Chicago River between the Loop and Near North Side
Ticket note
Architecture cruises are independent purchases and may sell out.
Chicago Riverwalk official website
Street view of Chicago's Magnificent Mile with city buildings and traffic

Magnificent Mile and downtown Chicago

Independent option

Use Michigan Avenue for a flexible downtown walk with restaurants, shopping, architecture, and easy connections to the Riverwalk and lakefront.

Best convention day/time
Thursday afternoon or as part of Friday downtown exploration
Approximate location
North Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago
Planning note
Restaurants, attractions, and theater tickets are independent purchases.
Official Magnificent Mile website
95th Street Bridge over the Calumet River on Chicago's South Side

Generic South Side Chicago reference image; not a photo of Trinity UCC.

Trinity United Church of Christ

Official convention activity

Sunday worship at Trinity UCC is part of the convention schedule, with early and late service options. Attendees should plan travel time from Bolingbrook and respect church visitor guidance.

Best convention day/time
Sunday, September 20, 7:30-9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Approximate location
400 W. 95th Street, Chicago
Planning note
Coordinate your own post-service departure timing unless convention materials provide updated logistics.
United Church of Christ profile
Chicago skyline from the Lakefront Trail

Chicago Live! Festival

Independent option

Navy Pier currently lists Chicago Live! for September 19-20, 2026, from noon to 6:00 p.m. It conflicts with Saturday convention business and banquet activities, so it is best treated as an optional Sunday-afternoon idea for attendees staying later.

Best convention day/time
Sunday afternoon after worship, if your departure allows
Approximate location
Navy Pier
Availability note
Festival programming and performance schedules can change.
Chicago Live! official event page
Featured Video

Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening

The video below is the official Obama Foundation YouTube upload. It loads only after you choose to play it.

Obama Presidential Center video poster

Watch on YouTube

Suggested Itineraries

Realistic Ways to Use Open Time

These are planning ideas only; they do not create convention transportation, reservations, or included admission.

Thursday South Side and Obama Center

  1. Morning: Depart Bolingbrook with enough buffer for traffic and parking.
  2. Late morning or afternoon: Use a timed ticket for the Obama Presidential Center Museum.
  3. Optional nearby time: Walk the campus or plan a meal on your own.
  4. Evening: Return to the host hotel before the 8:00-10:00 p.m. Welcome Mixer.

Thursday Downtown, Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile

  1. Late morning: Travel from Bolingbrook to downtown Chicago.
  2. Afternoon: Walk the Riverwalk or reserve an architecture cruise independently.
  3. Late afternoon: Continue to the Magnificent Mile for dinner or shopping.
  4. Evening: Leave downtown early enough to return for the Welcome Mixer.

Friday Navy Pier and lakefront

  1. Morning: Attend registration and convention business meetings.
  2. 1:00 p.m. onward: Join the published Navy Pier and downtown Chicago exploration window.
  3. Afternoon/evening: Explore the pier, lakefront, and nearby downtown options at your pace.
  4. By 9:00 p.m.: Wrap up the official exploration window.
Also Happening That Weekend

Independent Options Not Included With Registration

Event schedules, ticket availability, venue details, and prices can change. Verify directly before making plans.

Independent option

Chicago Live! Festival

September 19-20, noon-6:00 p.m. at Navy Pier. Best fit: Sunday afternoon for attendees staying later.

Official event page
Independent option

Riot Fest

September 18-20 at Douglass Park. This is a separate ticketed music festival and may conflict with convention sessions.

Official ticket page
Independent option

Reeling Film Festival

September 17-27. The festival site and submission listing identify Reeling 2026 as the 44th Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.

Official festival website
Independent option

Old Town Oktoberfest

Dates not settled in first-party listings. Convention-weekend dates are currently listed differently by the organizer and event producer; verify before planning.

Organizer event page Event producer listing

Independent option

World Dumpling Festival

September 19-20 at Wrightwood Park, with posted times of 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Sunday.

Organizer event page
Independent option

Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. at Soldier Field. This conflicts with the late Trinity UCC service and requires separate tickets.

Official Bears schedule
Independent option

Jekyll & Hyde

September 8-October 25 at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. Tickets are independent purchases.

Broadway In Chicago show page
Independent option

Dirty Dancing: The Musical

September 9-20 at James M. Nederlander Theatre. Weekend performances may sell out.

Broadway In Chicago show page
Baseball note: The Chicago Cubs are not an in-town option for convention weekend; the 2026 Cubs schedule lists them at Cincinnati September 18-20.