Summary
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo running Thursday through Saturday at McCormick Place and the Abbott Chicago 5K in Grant Park on Saturday, October 10. Road closures around Grant Park, Columbus Drive, and parts of Michigan Avenue begin building through race weekend and can affect downtown traffic well before the marathon starts Sunday morning. Whether you're running, spectating, or just in town for the weekend, a Chicago boat tour is a low-effort way to see the skyline and river from the water, on race day or the day after.
Table of Contents
- 2026 Chicago Marathon Weekend at a Glance
- When is the Chicago Marathon 2026?
- What Road Closures Should I Expect During Marathon Weekend?
- Where Are the Best Spots to Watch the Chicago Marathon?
- Is Shoreline Sightseeing Open During Marathon Weekend?
- What to Do After Finishing the Chicago Marathon
- What Else is There to Do in Chicago During Marathon Weekend?
- Book Your Marathon Weekend Boat Tour
- Frequently Asked Questions
Marathon weekend is one of downtown Chicago’s busiest stretches of the year, with more than a million spectators lining the course and thousands of runners in town for the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and the Abbott Chicago 5K. Shoreline Sightseeing runs the full range of Chicago boat tours from a Michigan Avenue dock near Grant Park, including the Architecture River Tour and the Skyline Lake Tour, making them an easy addition to a marathon weekend visit, before the race, after it, or the morning after.
2026 Chicago Marathon Weekend at a Glance
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Health & Fitness Expo | Thursday, October 8 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | McCormick Place |
| Abbott Health & Fitness Expo | Friday, October 9 | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | McCormick Place |
| Abbott Health & Fitness Expo | Saturday, October 10 | Check official schedule for hours | McCormick Place |
| Abbott Chicago 5K | Saturday, October 10 | Start corrals open 6:30 a.m., race starts 7:30 a.m. | Grant Park |
| Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Sunday, October 11 | Race starts 7:20 a.m. | Grant Park |
| Grant Park vehicle closures | Sunday, October 11 | Closed to vehicle traffic for most of the day | Grant Park |
Times and closure boundaries can change, so confirm current details on the official Chicago Marathon race-week advisory before finalizing your plans.
When is the Chicago Marathon 2026?
The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon runs on Sunday, October 11. Race weekend activity starts earlier in the week, with the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo open Thursday, October 8 through Saturday, October 10 at McCormick Place, where runners pick up race packets. The Abbott Chicago 5K takes place in Grant Park on Saturday morning, October 10, ahead of Sunday’s marathon.
What Road Closures Should I Expect During Marathon Weekend?
Grant Park closes to vehicle traffic for much of race day, and streets along the course, including sections of Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue, close in stages beginning early Sunday morning and reopening through the afternoon as the race clears. In past years, Michigan Avenue north of Ida B. Wells Drive has remained open during the race, which keeps the area around Shoreline Sightseeing’s Michigan Avenue dock near Pioneer Court and the DuSable Bridge accessible. Closure times and boundaries can shift year to year, so check the official Chicago Marathon race-week advisory closer to the date for confirmed 2026 closures before planning your route downtown.
Where Are the Best Spots to Watch the Chicago Marathon?
Spectators looking to catch runners near the start of the race typically head to Grand Avenue or State Street, close to Mile 1. For the finish, the Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road area draws the biggest crowds as runners complete the final stretch back toward Grant Park. Public transit is the recommended way to get around downtown on race day, since parking and driving routes are limited by closures.
Is Shoreline Sightseeing Open During Marathon Weekend?
Yes. Shoreline Sightseeing’s Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier docks continue operating during marathon weekend. Because the Michigan Avenue dock sits north of where the heaviest race-day closures typically fall, it’s a practical option for visitors who want to spend part of the weekend on the water without navigating the most congested areas of the course on foot. Marathon weekend is also one of the few times all year downtown Chicago is this full of energy, and a boat tour gives you a vantage point on that energy from the river or lake instead of from a crowded sidewalk.
What to Do After Finishing the Chicago Marathon
A lot of finishers spend the day after the race walking off sore legs by sightseeing around downtown rather than resting in a hotel room, and a boat tour fits that pattern well. It’s seated, low-impact, and gives you a scenic way to see the city without putting more miles on legs that just ran 26.2 of them. The Skyline Lake Tour is a natural fit here, since its 45-minute length and Lake Michigan route offer a relaxed view of the skyline, Navy Pier, and Museum Campus without a long time commitment. If you finish Sunday and still have energy once the post-race party in Grant Park winds down, or you’re looking for something easy to do Monday morning before heading home, the Skyline Lake Tour is a good way to celebrate the finish from a different vantage point than the one you spent all morning running past.
What Else is There to Do in Chicago During Marathon Weekend?
Beyond the race itself, marathon weekend falls during one of Chicago’s best stretches of fall weather. A Chicago boat tour is one of the best ways to spend a few hours downtown, alongside walking the Riverwalk, exploring Millennium Park, and browsing the Magnificent Mile, all within easy reach of the Michigan Avenue dock. For a full rundown of nearby attractions, dining, and walkable stops, see what to do near Shoreline Sightseeing’s Michigan Avenue dock.
Book Your Marathon Weekend Boat Tour
Marathon weekend brings a lot of people downtown at once, and a Chicago boat tour is one of the easiest ways to experience the city, whether you’re spectating, celebrating a finish, or just in town for the weekend. Check current schedules and book online in advance, since race weekend is one of Shoreline Sightseeing’s busiest weekends of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo running Thursday, October 8 through Saturday, October 10 at McCormick Place.
Grant Park and portions of the course, including sections of Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue, close in stages on race day. Closure boundaries and times can vary year to year, so check the official race-week advisory for confirmed 2026 details.
Yes. The Michigan Avenue dock continues operating during marathon weekend and sits north of where the heaviest race-day closures typically occur.
Popular spectator areas include Grand Avenue and State Street near the start of the race, and Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road near the finish.
Many runners spend the day after the race sightseeing around downtown Chicago while resting sore legs. A seated boat tour, like the 45-minute Skyline Lake Tour, is a low-impact way to see the skyline and celebrate the finish without more walking.
The Riverwalk, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile are all within walking distance of downtown, and a Chicago boat tour offers a way to see the skyline away from the busiest parts of the course.
