Chicago: It Will Blow You Away!
By Rachel Kapur
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
Known for its great beauty, history and culture, Chicago is the most populous city in the state of Illinois and the Midwest. The city is home to plenty of exciting attractions, fine dining, shopping and is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. We got a chance to explore this "Windy City" and wanted to share our tips on where to stay, what to eat and what to do!
Where to Stay
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Thirty minutes from the Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the stylish Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile Hotel. Part of Marriott's Convention & Resort Network, this 1200-room centrally located hotel features spacious and stylish hotel rooms/suites that include HD flat screen TVs and ergonomic furnishings with spectacular downtown city and lake views.
Besides the beautiful rooms with stunning views, 95% of all of the hotel's food is made from scratch for all restaurant outlets. The hotel features a contemporary dining restaurant called “Harvest” which serves classic American fare prepared with farm fresh ingredients from the Midwest. The hotel also has the 24-hour “Rush Street Pantry” which features local treats, fresh pastries, juices and special Chicago made snacks. Everything at Rush Street Pantry is made within 24-hours and can be delivered to rooms for a small fee. If your group is looking for a bar to unwind in, the hotel lobby features an expansive bar with unique specialty cocktails. Check out the rooftop for beautiful views of the City. Tip: Make sure to try the Rush Pantry's famous Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the hotel's own Cherry Cola. |
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If you are looking for a more upscale hotel for your stay in Chicago, the 4-Star JW Marriott Chicago is the perfect option. The 610-room hotel was originally built as a bank in 1914 and is a short walk from museums and theaters. The rooms feature marble bathrooms with flat-screens TVs, iPod docks, stereos, desks and coffeemakers. The hotel features 29 luxury suites, one of which is the Presidential Suite where Oprah had her last public television show appearance. Notable past guests of the hotel include President Obama, Madonna and Taylor Swift!
Besides the stunning and luxurious accommodations, the hotel features a 20,000 square foot world class spa that offers unique treatments like the Moroccan Oil Hydrating Hammam Experience, an Organic Facial, Couples Treatments and more. An interesting fact about the hotel is that the architect that designed the original building, Daniel Burnham, is also the architect who rebuilt Chicago for the World’s Fair of 1893. Tip: Throughout the hotel you will see glimpses of the hotel's past as the Continental & Commercial National Bank Building especially in their ballrooms which have the original ceilings. |
What to Eat
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Dining in Chicago is a very delicious experience. With their world class restaurants and their famous deep dish pizza it is impossible to stay hungry!
Besides dining at one of the great restaurants at the hotel, there are so many options just steps away. Tavern at the Park is a great restaurant that serves contemporary American fare with an Italian twist. The restaurant is located across from Millennium Park. When visiting Chicago it is a must to try their famous deep dish pizza. The two most famous places are Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Gino's East, just make sure to call ahead to see how long the wait is! Chicago is known for a great selection of Italian restaurants, Coco Pazzo is one of them! They serve a wide selection of delicious pastas and desserts. For an upscale cocktail experience we recommend a visit to the historic Palmer House, this is the oldest hotel in Chicago and considered the oldest continuously operating hotel in the US. The Lobby Bar of the hotel serves up some unique and classic cocktails, including their famous Bloody Mary. Tip: If you visit the Palmer House Lobby Bar make sure to order the Cheese Curds in addition to your cocktail. |
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What to Do
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There's never a dull moment in Chicago. From site seeing to bar hopping, you will always have plenty to do.
No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Millennium Park, the Cloud Gate Sculpture, also known as "The Bean," is one of the highlights of Millennium Park. The Bean sculpture is made of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates - giving the appearance of liquid mercury and is the perfect place to take a picture. The Chicago River runs through the city and Shoreline offers an Architectural River Cruise, which besides being picturesque is a great way to learn about the history of Chicago and it's giant skyscrapers. The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower is a great way to see the entire city. There is also a "ledge" which is a glass box that extends outside of the Willis Tower and is 1,353 feet in the air- you will literally walk into the sky! |
If you don't want to pay for a great view check out the John Hancock Center where you can visit a swanky bar, The Signature Room at the 95th, and sip on drinks while enjoying a stunning view. If you are a sports fans check out a Chicago Blackhawks game at the United Center or a Cubs game at the famous Wrigley Field. For those that want a laugh, check out a show at The Second City, the venue has consistently been a starting point for comedians, award winning actors, directors, and others in show business. For those that love to shop check out the Magnificent Mile for upscale boutiques and shopping centers. If you are a night owl, there's literally a bar on every corner in Chi-Town, we loved bar hopping in Downtown Chicago near Rush Street.
With so many exciting attractions, fine dining venues and upscale hotel properties, it’s no wonder why Chicago is the perfect spot for a vacation! We loved the "Windy City" and will be back again soon!