What's Open, Closed For Thanksgiving Weekend In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Thanksgiving is Nov. 23 and Black Friday is Nov. 24, and while some businesses and services have announced they will be closed both days, others are preparing for one of the most critical weekends of the holiday shopping season. Here's a look at which institutions, businesses, and restaurants will be available on Thanksgiving and Black Friday this year:

City Government: City Hall and city offices will be closed for Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

Schools: Chicago Public Schools will be closed both Thursday and Friday.

Chicago Public Library: All branches will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and open regular hours on Friday.

Chicago Park District: Offices will be closed for Thanksgiving and reopen on a reduced schedule Friday, but most parks will be open and operating on a reduced holiday schedule both days. The conservatories in Garfield Park and Lincoln Park will be open both days. Check out the district's website for more information.

Postal Service: Post offices will be closed for Thanksgiving but open on Black Friday. Mail pickup and delivery are on normal schedules Friday.

Garbage Collection: There will be no collection on Thanksgiving, but pickup will resume its normal schedule on Black Friday.

Banks: Most banks will be closed for Thanksgiving, but the majority of banks—such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank—will be open on Black Friday.

CTA and Metra: Trains and buses for the transportation agencies will be running on Sunday/holiday schedules for Thanksgiving and resume to normal schedules on Black Friday.

Retailers: Two blogs dedicated to Black Friday deals say 72 retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Those taking the day off from the shopping frenzy include H&M, Burlington Coat Factory, DSW, Home Depot, Neiman Marcus, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. National retailers that are expected to open on Thanksgiving include Best Buy, Kohl's, Macy's, Sears, Target and Walmart. Target says it will close at midnight on Thanksgiving, then reopen at 6 a.m. Black Friday morning.

Restaurants: According to OpenTable, 148 restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving in the Chicago area. Here's a list of many of the restaurants that will be open in the downtown area:

The Loop: Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, 312 Chicago, Cherry Circle Room, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood, Atwood, Texas de Brazil, Morton's The Steakhouse, Park Grill Chicago, The Palm Chicago, Miss Ricky's, The Lobby Lounge, Commons Club, Lockwood Restaurant and Bar, 676 Restaurant and Bar and Flat Top Grill.

Streeterville/Gold Coast: Maple & Ash, Tavern on Rush, Ditka's, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's, NoMI, bistronomic, Margeaux Brasserie, Coco Pazzo Cafe, the Albert, Devon Seafood Grill, Hash House A Go Go, Cite, Morton's The Steakhouse, Mity Nice Bar & Grill, Upstairs at The Gwen, Fornetto Mei - Flame Baked Pizza & Trattoria, Cafe Des Architectes/CDA, The Grill on the Alley, Torali at the Ritz Carlton and Shula's Steak House.

River North: Sunda, Mastro's Steakhouse, River Roast, Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse, Wildfire, Tortoise Supper Club, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Weber Grill, Maggiano's, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, ZED451, Osteria Via Stato, Dolce Italian, Travelle Kitchen + Bar, Fleming's Steakhouse, Sullivan's Steakhouse, Copper Fox Gastropub, Bistro Voltaire and Pavilion - The Langham and Vermilion.

Image credit: Kristin Borden