My Chicago: Why I’ll Never Get Enough of the Green River ☘️
Hunting for the perfect Chicago atmosphere, one boat at a time
I am a huge fan of St. Patrick’s Day. For me, this isn’t just a holiday; it’s a series of stories I plan to tell you one by one. I want us to really know what we are celebrating, and there is no better place on Earth to do that than right here in Chicago.
We Own This City: There’s a certain feeling you get here in March. We don’t just wear green; we transform the landscape. Did you know we’ve been dyeing the Chicago River green for over 60 years? Since 1962, this tradition has defined our city’s spirit. I’ve taken part in the parade in Dublin, and I love Ireland with all my heart, but Chicago? Chicago owns this day!
St. Patrick's Day Chicago River Dyeing Booze Cruise: Cold Hands, Warm Hearts This year, I decided the only way to truly experience it was from the water. We found ourselves on a Booze Cruise.
The weather? It was typical Chicago. Freezing cold. The sun was barely peaking through the clouds, and the wind was biting. Usually, it’s sunny and the river glows, but this time we had to earn our fun. But here’s the thing: nobody cared.
The atmosphere was so electric, so fantastic, that the weather didn’t exist. We had Irish Cream to keep us warm, sure, but the real energy came from the people around us.
I looked around and realized that none of us wanted to leave that boat. When we finally stepped back onto solid ground, we felt so alive that we immediately started looking for the next reason to be back on the water.
Celebrating Life (More Than Once a Year) I realized that waiting a full year for this feeling is just not enough. Life is meant to be celebrated now! So, my crew—I call them my “Party People”—and I already made our move.
As an event promoter here in Chicago, I’m always hunting for these moments. I don’t just look for events; I look for the atmosphere. And I found it: we’re heading back out for Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, May 2nd.
It’s a 3.5-hour journey through the downtown architecture and out into the vastness of Lake Michigan with a DJ and that same incredible crowd. To me, the early bird tickets ($30 including tax) are just a detail—it’s the price of a coffee and a croissant for an afternoon of pure joy.
I’m going because I need that energy again. If you feel that same spark and want to join our crew, I’ll leave the link to the tickets. If not, that’s fine too! I’ll be out there celebrating life anyway.
I don’t just wait for happiness; I hunt joy.
Join our squad on May 2nd! Use the link below for an automatic reader discount:
Why do I keep choosing Booze Cruises: If you’ve ever been downtown on a major holiday, you know the struggle. The streets are packed, the traffic is a nightmare, and even finding a simple restroom or a warm place to sit is nearly impossible. That is why I choose the water.
When you’re on the boat, the city is yours. These are 21+ Booze Cruises where you have total freedom:
The Upper Deck: You’re on top of the world. No crowds obstructing your view, just you, the music, the dancing, and the best 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline.
The First Level: If you need to escape the wind, you just head downstairs. It’s warm, cozy, and you can sit with your coffee or a drink, watching the green river flow by through the windows. It’s the perfect spot to set up your camera and record the magic in peace while everyone else is dancing above.
The Comfort: You have everything you need right there—a bar, a DJ, and a restroom—things that are luxuries when you’re stuck in the street crowds.
See ya on a boat!
— Joy Hunter
