Cadillac Palace Theater. 51 W Randolph St. ox office +1 312 977-1700. ttp://www.broadwayinchicago.com/planyourtrip.php#direc_palace. ours vary. 27.50-$77.50. A Broadway in Chicago outlet, this opulent theater was built in 1926 for the vaudeville circuit and is now glossed up for high-profile productions with 2,300 seats per show. ''The Producers'' and the mighty Oprah's ''The Color Purple'' both enjoyed long runs here.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 20 S Michigan Ave. dams/Wabash Brown/Green/Orange/Purple/Pink Line. 1 312 294-3333. ttp://www.cso.org. ox office M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa-Su 11AM-4PM. tudent prices can run as low as $10; tickets for CSO events start from $25, but performances by traveling artists vary. Home of Chicago's renowned orchestra; they spend a lot of time on the road, though, so visiting orchestras and stately jazz concerts can also be found here, as can the occasional curveball like a silent film.
Chicago Theater. 75 N State St. ake CTA. 1 312 462-6300. ox office M-F 12-6PM. ickets vary by event — generally $27.50 and up. Tours are available Apr-Sept Tu,Th 12PM and Oct-March Tu 12PM, also the third Saturday of every month at 11AM,12PM; $5 per person. ttp://www.thechicagotheatre.com/. An old Balaban & Katz movie palace, refurbished as one of the city's premier performance venues. It hosts a wide range of events, from spoken word and stand-up comedy to jazz, gospel, and rock. Most people, however, know it for the iconic marquee out front.
Ford Center for the Performing Arts. riental Theater. 4 W Randolph St. ox office +1 312 977-1700. ttp://www.broadwayinchicago.com/planyourtrip.php#direc_oriental. ours vary. 29.50-$122.50. The Oriental Theater was once Chicago's most ornate movie palace, but this is now another Broadway in Chicago outlet with an open run of the hit musical ''Wicked''.
Goodman Theater. 70 N Dearborn St. ashington Red Line. 1 312 443-3811. ox office M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su 12-5PM. ickets vary by show, generally starting from $30 adults, $17 children. ttp://www.goodman-theatre.org/. Non-profit theater company in an extremely expensive space; they pride themselves on new works, but are better known for revivals of plays from the American theater canon. Post-show discussions with the cast are held after Wednesday and Thursday night performances.
LaSalle Bank Theater. hubert Theater. 8 W Monroe St. ox office +1 312 977-1700. ttp://www.broadwayinchicago.com/planyourtrip.php#direc_shubert. ours vary. 27.50-$82.50. Another Broadway in Chicago theater. Founded in 1906 to attract a classier vaudeville crowd, it saw performances from Harry Houdini, and was run by New York theater impresario Sam Shubert for more than forty-five years. ''Monty Python's Spamalot'' and ''High School Musical'' have been here more recently.
Lyric Opera. 0 N Wacker Dr. ashington/Wells Brown/Purple/Pink/Orange Line. 1 312 332-2244. ickets start at $31 for weekdays and $42 for weekends. ttp://www.lyricopera.org. Extraordinary productions of major operas, in the impressive Civic Opera House, overlooking the river; local legend has it that the back-story behind business magnate Samuel Insull's decision to build it was the inspiration for the opera scenes in ''Citizen Kane''. Although highly acclaimed today, there was a minor controversy among purists when they began to project English titles above the stage for non-English operas.
Events & Festivals
The Loop is ground zero for Chicago festivals, and the festivals run long and large. Take note of these dates, as hotel reservations will become more difficult to find and prices will rise.
<listing name="Saint Patrick's Day Parade" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/">March 2010. Chicago has a large Irish-American population, and its one that punches above its weight — St Patrick's Day is a huge affair in the Windy City. The endless parade takes place on Columbus Drive along the Chicago River, which is dyed green for the occasion. The river dyeing is at 10:15AM, and the parade starts at noon.</listing>
<listing name="Gospel Fest" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://chicagogospelfestival.com/">Sa-Su, 6-7 June 2009. The world's biggest free outdoor gospel festival is in Grant Park! Like the Blues Fest, the performers are a combination of national and local acts. Chicago has a thriving gospel scene and this is one of the best ways to experience it for the uninitiated.</listing>
<listing name="Blues Fest" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+1 312 744-3315" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.chicagobluesfestival.org/">F-Su, 12-14 June 2009. Top national and local blues musicians perform all day long throughout the festival just a couple miles from where modern blues was born. This is the world's premiere blues festival, and the list of greats who have performed here (like Albert King, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Dixon) gets more impressive each successive year. Admission is free and the performances are spread out across six stages throughout Grant Park.</listing>
<listing name="Taste of Chicago" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 312 744-3315" url="http://www.tasteofchicago.us" hours="11AM-9PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">26 June-5 July 2009. An outdoor showcase of Chicago restaurants, vendors, and performers, plus big name concerts. The specifics of the scheme vary from year to year, but generally, you buy a roll of tickets and then trade in those tickets for beer, drinks, food, and desserts. It's a great chance to sample the range of Chicago cuisine (at steeper prices). Also a great opportunity to watch Independence Day fireworks from the park and lakefront, but beware: it gets ''crowded''.</listing>
<listing name="Venetian Night" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="6:30PM-10:30PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Sa, 25 July 2009. A memorable night by the waterfront is ensured by the annual lighted boat parade on Lake Michigan, followed by a fireworks display, synchronized to music. The "best" viewing spots are at Shedd Aquarium in the Near South and Navy Pier in the Chicago/Near North, but rest assured that those spots will be crowded — you'll have fine views from the shoreline in Grant Park.</listing>
<listing name="Lollapalooza" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+1 888 512-7469" email="" fax="" hours="F-Su 11AM-10PM" price="$80 one day, $165/$195 early/late three days" url="http://www.lollapalooza.com">F-Su, 7-9 Aug 2009. Formerly a traveling tour, Lollapalooza has now found a permanent location in Chicago and grown quite a bit. It's a ''massive'' three day collection of popular and lesser-known national and local rock and hip hop bands.</listing>
<listing name="Jazz Fest" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.chicagojazzfestival.org/">4-6, Sep 2009. The great Chicago Jazz Festival was inaugurated in 1974 just weeks after Duke Ellington's death to commemorate his life's work, and has since become one of the world's largest annual jazz festivals, pulling some of the biggest names in the jazz world each year. And this one is free. If you have the means, you might want to come earlier in the week — there are usually a host of jazz-related events in the run up to the festival.</listing>
Buy
The Magnificent Mile ends at the Chicago River, but there are still more than a few places to shop in the Loop, particularly on and east of State Street. The two landmark department stores that once anchored the area, '''Marshall Field's''' and '''Carson Pirie Scott''', are both gone. The Carson's building, designed by Louis Sullivan, is being remodeled to serve as office space. Interior tours are still available through the Chicago Architecture Foundation (above), though.
The fate of Marshall Field's is a somewhat thornier one. Marshall Field himself was one of the original Chicago aristocracy, and his gorgeous store on State Street defined Chicago retail for several generations. In spite of its ties to Chicago culture and identity, when New York retailer Macy's bought the chain, they announced plans to rebrand all Field's stores as Macy's. Amid shock and uproar (among Chicagoans) and dire warnings (among industry analysts), Macy's executives assured reporters that focus group research had suggested people would, in fact, come to prefer the new brand. Today, sales have plunged, workers have been forced to take a sharp pay cut, and the interior is like a tomb. Ain't corporate hubris great?
Today, there are a few discount department stores, a few big stores for national chains like Old Navy and H&M, and a few amusingly shady joints on the streets under the elevated tracks.
Central Camera. 30 S Wabash Ave. onroe Red Line. 1 312 427-5580. ttp://www.centralcamera.com/. -F 8:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 8:30AM-5PM. As the name suggests, this is a centrally-located place to deal with fussy cameras or upgrade to better ones. They've been in business since 1899.
Graham Crackers. 7 E Madison St. ashington Red Line. 1 312 629-1810. -F 10AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 12-5PM. ttp://www.grahamcrackers.com/chstore.htm. Comic book store right off Michigan Avenue, near the Art Institute.
Jeweler's Center. S Wabash Ave. ashington Red Line. 1 312 236-2189. ttp://www.jewelerscenter.com/. -Sa 9AM-5PM, Su closed except four weeks prior to Christmas. An estimated 185 jewelers in one building by the elevated tracks give this a Wild West atmosphere — you could leave with a terrific deal, or...
Nordstrom Rack. 4 N State St. ashington Red Line. 1 312 377-5500. ttp://shop.nordstrom.com/. -Sa 9:30AM-9PM, Su 10AM-7PM. The outlet store for the Near North retailer. There's plenty of heavily-discounted merchandise, but shoes are where the serious mania lies.
Posters Plus. 00 S Michigan Ave. onroe Red Line. 1 312 461-9277. ttp://www.posterplus.com/. u 10:30AM-6PM, M-W,F 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-7PM, Sa 9:30AM-6PM. ''The'' place to buy Chicago images of all shapes and sizes. Posters Plus works with researchers on the side and single-handedly keeps a selection of memorable vintage Chicago posters in print. They also partner with the Art Institute across the street. It's worth a stop to have a look around their gallery even if you don't plan to buy anything.
Prairie Avenue Bookshop. 18 S Wabash Ave. ibrary Brown/Purple/Green/Orange/Pink Line. 1 312 922-8311, +1 800-474-2724. nfo@pabook.com. 1 312 922-5184. -F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. ttp://www.pabook.com/index.asp. A short, squat bookshop that houses a glorious selection of books on architecture, one of the largest in the world. It's right behind the Auditorium Theatre.
Sears on State St. N State St. ashington Red Line. 1 312 373-6000. -F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-5PM. ttp://www.sears.com. The ''other'' traditional Chicago retail giant opened this store in 2001. It has a few floors of moderately-priced, moderately-fashionable clothing and housewares.
Wabash Jewelers Mall. 1 N Wabash Ave. ashington Red Line. 1 312 263-1757. -W,F 10AM-5:30PM, Th 10AM-6:30PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. The other bastion of Jeweler's Row, with several stores that specialize in loose diamonds.
Eat
It's easy to find cheap food during the day — this is where most of Chicago works, so this is where most of Chicago eats lunch. However, most of those places close when the work day ends, so it's more difficult to keep costs down at night, when it's gourmet or bust. There's a sizable food court at Ogilvie/Northwestern Station (Canal and Madison) if you're on your way in or out of town.
In general, it's wise to avoid the restaurants right by major tourist attractions (e.g., the Art Institute, Millennium Park, etc.), as the quality of service and food tends to improve with distance from these one-time-visitor hot spots. There are some gems in the Loop, but you should also consider a quick cab ride west to one of downtown Chicago's premiere dining strips in Greektown.
Budget
Artist's Cafe. 12 S Michigan Ave. n the Fine Art building. 1 312 939-7855. ttp://www.artists-cafe.com/. u-Th 6:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 6:30AM-12:30AM. 6-15. In the beautiful old Fine Arts Building, this is easily the best outdoor seating in the Loop. It's sort of a diner with beer and wine also on the menu. The food and service are mediocre at best, but it's reasonably priced, brilliantly located, and more popular with the Columbia College students than it is touristy.
Beef & Brandy. he B&B. 27 S State St. 1 312 372-3451. ttp://www.beefbrandy.com. -Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 7AM-8PM. 5-15. A nice spot to get good food at reasonable prices in the Loop — a good rib-eye steak here is just $15 (it's certainly the only place downtown to get a full diner breakfast for under $5). Best to be appraised that karaoke and DJs at the bar can make Wednesday-Friday nights a bit loud during dinner.
Boni Vino. 11 W Van Buren St. 1 312 427-0231. -F 10AM-midnight, Sa 10AM-5PM. 8-13. Boni Vino, in addition to its pasta dishes, serves what is probably the best Chicago style thin crust pizza downtown — a good option if you want pizza, but fear the cholesterol-laden stuffed pizzas at Bella Bacino's. In addition to good pizza, this restaurant has lots of character and surprisingly low prices.
Garrett Popcorn. E Madison St. 1 888 4-POPCORN. ttp://www.garrettpopcorn.com/. -Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-7PM. /M/L $3-5-7. Whether Garrett's shout-out-loud delicious popcorn is the cap to a good lunch or composes the entire meal is up to you and your conscience. "The Mix" is equal parts caramel- and cheese-coated popcorn; strange as it sounds, the combination is addictive. Sales went mad after an appearance on Oprah, so expect lines. There are a few other Loop stores, including 26 W Randolph and 2 W Jackson, but this is the most centrally located. Nice as it would be, signs warn that you can't bring Garrett's into the nearby theaters with you.
Heaven on Seven. 11 N Wabash Ave. 1 312 263-6443. ttp://www.heavenonseven.com. -F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM, dinner: every third Friday of the month 5:30PM-9PM. 7-14. If you are downtown when the craving hits for some down home comfort food, this is the place to go. While the South Side remains the undisputed home of soul food in Chicago, this place holds its own. Heaven even boasts a floor length wall of hot sauces.
Luke's Italian Beef. 15 W Jackson Blvd. 1 312 939-4204. -F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. 3-6. Luke's is where it's at for Italian Beef sandwiches in the Loop, and it's right next to the Sears Tower. The quality is a little unreliable at Luke's, but when they're on, they serve some of the best beef in the city. Hold the enormous portions of fries though, if you have any sympathy for your circulatory system.
Osaka Express. 00 S Michigan Ave. 1 312 566-0118. -Sa 11AM-8PM. 5. A counter on a corner of Michigan Avenue with good, cheap seafood and vegetarian sushi. Be prepared for blank stares if you try ordering in Japanese, though.
Perry's. 75 N Franklin St. 1 312 372-7557. ttp://www.perrysdeli.com/. -F 7:30AM-2:30PM. 6-8. Absurdly huge sandwiches (including nine triple-deckers) and cheerful service. The lines at lunch are long, but you'll notice the way the regulars are content to wait for as long as it takes, knowing what's coming to them. (You'll also notice the prohibition against cell phones on the premises.) If in doubt, try "Perry's Favorite," a corned beef special named for the original owner's sandwich of choice.
Mid-range
Miller's Pub and Exchequer in the Drink section serve food worth considering for a mid-range lunch.
Backstage Bistro. 80 N Wabash Ave. 1 312 475-6920. ttp://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/backstagebistro.asp. -F 11:30AM-1PM 5:30PM-7PM (school months only). 9-18. Somewhere between a restaurant and a classroom, the chefs and servers here are culinary arts students from the Illinois Institute of Art. The students are enthusiastic, and accordingly do a much better job than most "professionals" at the borderline tourist traps that proliferate around this section of town. Fine dining at very low prices, and you can even watch the chefs-in-training at work behind the kitchen's glass walls. It's small, so make reservations.
Bella Bacino's. 5 E Wacker Dr. 1 312 263-2350. 1 312 263-4965. -Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM. 12-$18. ttp://www.bacinos.com/. Very good Italian food and simply incredible stuffed pizza.
Cellars Market. 41 W Jackson Blvd. hicago Board of Trade building, lower level. 1 312 427-7440. -F 7AM-2PM (approx.). 4-12. A hidden gem serving breakfast and lunch only, this cafeteria closes soon after the trading floors upstairs do. Made-to-order deli sandwiches, homemade soups, a large salad bar, and daily specials prepared on-site. The turkey club sandwich is enormous, especially if you're polite and cheerful toward the person making it.
Emil's. 01 N Wacker Dr. 1 312 332-4333. -F 6AM-8PM. 12-20. A strategically located, nice American/Italian restaurant just across the street from the Opera House. Emil's boasts a thoughtful menu, fine downtown dining, and a staff that will skillfully oblige patrons in a hurry to get to the show.
Petterino's. 50 N Dearborn St. 1 312 422-0150. ttp://www.leye.com/restaurants/rest_home.jsp?id=33. 11AM-9PM, T-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11:00AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 3:30PM-7:30PM. 12-40. Petterino's is a classic Chicago restaurant, serving high quality steaks, salads, and seafood dishes. The restaurant caters to the theater-going crowd, and reservations for dinner are wise.
Pizano's. 1 E Madison St. 1 312 236-1777. ttp://www.pizanoschicago.com/loop.html. u-F 11AM-2AM, Sa 11AM-3AM. 12-$20. The closest deep dish pizza to Millennium Park and the Art Institute. Pizano's has roots in the family that produced UNO's and Lou Malnati's, but will serve a worthy thin-crust, too.
Ronny's Original Steakhouse. 40 S Wabash Ave. 1 312 939-6010. -Sa 7AM-10PM. 9-15. There are better steakhouses in downtown Chicago, but Ronny's earns points for being so drenched in the classic Chicago palette. Friendly
Atwood Cafe. W Washington St. 1 312 368-1900. ttp://www.atwoodcafe.com/. reakfast M-F 7-10AM, Sa 8AM-10AM, Su 8AM-3PM, Lunch M-Sa 11:30AM-3:45PM, Dinner Su-Th 5-10PM, F-Sa 5-11PM. 17-$30. Popular restaurant with a bar in the classic Hotel Burnham. Good location and atmosphere for dinner before a show.
Custom House. 00 S Dearborn St. nside the Hotel Blake. 1 312 523-0200. u 5-9PM, M-F 11AM-2PM,5-10PM, Sa 5-10PM. hree course dinner $46. ttp://www.customhouse.cc/. Specializes in many varieties of red meat, with a menu created by award-winning Chef Shawn McClain. It's right on the border of Printer's Row in the Hotel Blake, with a name that slyly references the original vice district there.
Everest. 40 S LaSalle St, 40th Floor. 1 312 663-8920. ttp://www.everestrestaurant.com/. u-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F 5:30PM-9:30PM, Sa 5PM-10PM. 90-130/person. Arguably the best restaurant in Chicago. The "Personal French Cuisine" of Executive Chef Jean Joho is world-renowned. The view from the top floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange is magnificent as well. Complimentary valet parking.
ristorante we. 72 W Adams St. 1 312 917-5608. ttp://www.ristorantewe.com/. -Th 6:30AM-2:30PM 5PM-10PM, F 6:30AM-2:30PM 5PM-11PM, Sa 7AM-noon 5PM-11PM, Su 7AM-noon. 26-48. Downtown Chicago steakhouse meets Tuscan fine dining in the very fashionable Hotel W.
Russian Tea Time. 7 E Adams St. 1 312 360-0000. 1 312 360-0575. u-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. 22-$32. ttp://www.russianteatime.com/. This is ''the'' place to try Russian cuisine in Chicago! Easily one of the best Russian restaurants in the world with an inventive menu and excellent management. Ask to be seated in the front section. Afternoon tea runs from 2:30-4:30PM.
Trattoria No.10. 0 N Dearborn St. ashington Red Line. 1 312 984-1718. ttp://www.trattoriaten.com/. unch M-F 11:30AM-2PM; Dinner M-Th 5:30-9PM, F-Sa 5:30-10PM. 40+. A gourmet Italian restaurant; dinners are designed to include a ''primi piatti'' course of pasta and a ''secondi piatti'' of duck, veal, and other seasonal specialties, although they can be ordered separately.
Vivere. 1 W Monroe St. 1 312 332-4040. ttp://vivere-chicago.com/index2.html. -Th 11:30AM-2:30PM 5PM-10PM, F 11:30AM-2:30PM 5PM-11PM, Sa 5PM-11PM. 20-40. One of Chicago's top Italian restaurants, with very creative decor and a romantic ambiance.
Drink
The cost of real estate in the Loop means that most dives are priced out of the area, sending most of the after-work crowd to the places noted below. Friday nights after work can be a mob scene — if you're with a group, either make a reservation or be prepared to split up for a little while.
BIG Bar. 51 E Wacker Dr. nside the Hyatt Regency. 1 312 565-1234. ttp://chicagoregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/lounges/index.jsp. -Th 4PM-2PM, F-Sa 3PM-3AM, Su 11AM-2AM. Don't expect an intimate atmosphere or anything resembling a classic Chicago experience. Do expect all things comically out of proportion. The bar is 160 feet long and the margaritas can get so big that they actually mix them in a cement mixer. And the view is great.
Close Up 2. 16 S Clark St. 1 312 385-1111. ttp://www.closeup2jazz.com. -F 4PM-2AM, Sa 9PM-3AM. over: $5-10. A classy lounge that may be the best place in the city to relax and listen to smooth jazz. The clientele is similarly classy, so come well dressed (business casual) and looking good.
Elephant & Castle. 11 W Adams St. 1 312 236-6656. ttp://www.elephantcastle.com/content/locations/240. :30AM-midnight. English-ish pub chain with the requisite fish & chips and other mid-range pub food, long hours, and a second location at 185 N Wabash. It's a good place for a long stay.
Emerald Loop. 16 N Wabash Ave. 1 312 263-0200. ttp://www.vaughanhospitality.com/index.php?section=3. -F 7AM-2AM, Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 11AM-2AM. Irish-style pub in a elegant setting, with large tables to accommodate business lunches. The food's good, breakfast included.
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub. 26 S Wabash Ave. 1 312 939-5633. ttp://www.exchequerpub.com/. -Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su Noon-9PM. Family-friendly pub with pizza and ribs, under the L tracks and covered in Chicago memorabilia.
Miller's Pub. 34 S Wabash Ave. 1 312 263-4988. ttp://www.millerspub.com/. itchen 11AM-2AM, Bar 10AM-4AM. Established in 1935 and bursting with faded celebrity photos, Miller's Pub serves ribs, steak, and sandwiches with its list of beer, wine, and martinis. It's a little too formal to sprawl out and relax, but perfect if getting a beer is a task of equal import to dinner.
Old Timer's Restaurant and Lounge. 5 E Lake St. 1 312 332-3561. -F 6:30AM-2AM, Sa 7AM-1AM. The classic diner is worth a visit for breakfast, but the real gem is the divey bar that waits through the front door. You wouldn't expect a low-key, "regulars" atmosphere a block from Millennium Park, but here it is, with clientele from ''all'' walks of life mingling over beer.
Plymouth Restaurant & Bar. 27 S Plymouth Ct. 1 312 362-1212. ttp://plymouthgrill.com/. u-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. The Plymouth Restaurant is merely an adequate cafe serving diner-style food, but come here instead for the rooftop bar. Sipping a cocktail while gazing off the balcony at the Harold Washington Library and various Louis Sullivan masterpieces is a fine way to cap off a day of sightseeing, provided that the blaring music doesn't drive you away.
Stocks & Blondes Bar & Grille. 0 N Wells St. 1 312 372-3725. ttp://www.stocksandblondesbargrille.com/. -Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-midnight. Stocks & Blondes, aside from the frightening pun, is a rarity in the Loop in that it is "just a bar." No fake Irish pub gimmickry, no failing attempts at trendiness, just a bare-bones bar atmosphere and good beer on tap.
Sleep
Although this is the most expensive real estate in Chicago, the hotels in the Loop are slightly cheaper than those in the Near North simply because so much of the area shuts down at night. Still, these are some pretty nice digs, and being in the Loop makes transportation to any part of the city easy.
Budget
Congress Plaza Hotel. 20 S Michigan Ave. ibrary Orange/Purple/Brown/Green/Pink Line, Jackson Blue Line. 1 312 427-3800. ttp://www.congressplazahotel.com/. ooms from $100. The Congress Hotel has seen visits from most U.S. presidents since it was built in 1893. Today, other hotels have overtaken the Congress in the glamor class, leaving it behind as a great deal with a colorful past. Ask for a room with a view of the lake — if Buckingham Fountain is running, you will be treated to a magnificent view.
Hostelling International Chicago. Ira & Nicki Harris Family Hostel. 4 E Congress Pkwy. ibrary Orange/Purple/Brown/Green/Pink Line, Jackson Red Line, LaSalle Blue Line. 1 312 360-0300. pm. 1am. ates start at $27, plus $3 without HI membership. ttp://www.hichicago.org. Quick and easy access to airports, bus terminal and train stations. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No curfew, no age restrictions (under 18 must be accompanied by adult). Ask for the coupon which gives $3 off the '''Chicago Architecture Foundation''' tours.
Mid-range
Hard Rock Hotel. 30 N Michigan Ave. nside the Carbide & Carbon Building. 1 312 345-1000. ttp://www.preferredhotels.com/values/hotel_descr.asp?id=58217. ooms from $199. Near Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile, with style points for being located in the beautiful Carbon & Carbide Building. Rooms come packed with audiovisual amenities apropos of the name.
Hotel 71. 1 E Wacker Dr. 1 312 346-7100. ooms from $254. ttp://www.hotel71.com. Located on the Chicago River at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue with an impressive view, right on the border of the Near North.
Hotel Allegro. 71 W Randolph St. lark/Lake Blue Line. 1 866-672-6143. ooms from $209. ttp://www.allegrochicago.com. This lovely, Art Deco hotel calls itself a boutique, probably in reference to its friendly, full four-star service, designer decorated rooms and prices that are the same, or just a little bit more than you would pay for a blander three-star place just north of the river. Suites and some rooms have a double jacuzzi.
Hotel Blake. 00 S Dearborn St. 1 312 986-1234. ttp://www.hotelblake.com. ooms from $169. Located across the street from Printer's Row, with an acclaimed restaurant in the lobby.
Hotel Burnham. W Washington St. 1 312 782-1111. ooms from $239. ttp://burnhamhotel.com. In the classic Reliance Building, near Millennium Park. A Kimpton Boutique hotel, like the Allegro.
Silversmith Hotel & Suites. 0 S Wabash Ave. 1 773 372-7696. ttp://www.silversmithchicagohotel.com. 180-315. Housed in the architectural splendor of Jeweler's Row, the Silversmith boasts an enviable location next to the L, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute. For the price, this can be a slightly less luxurious option than its competitors (ask for a room away from the noisy L lines!) — but that is offset by the location, history, and dessert hour: free high quality cake, cookies, and coffee/tea in the lobby M-Th 9PM-10PM.
W Chicago City Center. 72 W Adams St. 1 312 332-1200. ttp://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html. ooms from $175. This outpost of the W Hotels chain is under the shadow of the Sears Tower, in the midst of the Loop, for a bit of stylish gloom at night.
Splurge
The Fairmont Chicago. 00 N Columbus Dr. 1 312 565-8000. ooms from $269. ttp://www.fairmont.com/chicago/. Upscale hotel that takes pride in its restaurants and offers a number of tour packages for Chicago attractions.
Hotel Monaco. 25 N Wabash Ave. 1 312 950-8500. ooms from $259. ttp://monaco-chicago.com. The Monaco provides a bit better than four-star comfort at a bit less than four-star prices, though they are a little higher than at sister hotels like the Allegro or the Burnham. What you get for the extra money is a number of specialty services geared for business travelers, so if you are traveling for pleasure go for the Allegro.
Hyatt Regency Chicago. 51 E Wacker Dr. 1 312 565 1234. ooms from $259. ttp://chicagoregency.hyatt.com/. 2,000 guest rooms in two towers, a riverfront location, and what the management claims is the largest freestanding bar in the U.S. It's a favorite for convention groups, and is connected via covered walkways to the Illinois Center, which is a major business complex.
Marriott Renaissance Chicago Hotel. W Wacker Dr. 1 312 372-7200. ooms from $259. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chisr-renaissance-chicago-hotel/. Elegant hotel with sweeping views and a Rejuvenation Center.
The Palmer House Hilton. 7 E Monroe St. 1 312 726-7500. ooms from $259. ttp://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do. This palace was built by the old Chicago magnate Potter Palmer for his socialite wife Bertha. This is actually the third version of The Palmer House — the first opened two weeks before the Great Chicago Fire. (Can't beat that for timing.) The current hotel, overlooking State Street, was designed in 1920s, with an extravagant renovation completed in 2008. With over 1,600 rooms and no shortage of luxuries, the Palmer House is certainly one of Chicago's most memorable hotels (as long as it's in your price range).
Swissotel Chicago. 23 E Wacker Dr. 1 312 565-0565. ttp://www.swissotelchicago.com/. ooms from $217. This sleek, new skyscraper offers great views over the Chicago River and the lake.
Contact
Harold Washington Library Center. 00 S State St. ibrary Brown/Green/Orange/Purple/Pink. 1 312 747-4999. -Th 9AM-9PM, F S 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. ttp://www.chipublib.org/. Chicago_fs central library is in a gigantic, impressive, and stylistically bewildering building, named for Harold Washington, the city's first black Mayor. It holds exhibitions and author events, has an impressive permanent art collection, and is well-equipped with free computer and Internet services.
Get out
The Loop is the center of Chicago, and rivaled only by the Near North as the city's principal tourist destination. But the city has riches far beyond the tourist lure of downtown skyscrapers and big museums; to experience what makes Chicago _e_fChicago_f_f, you will need to venture further into the neighborhoods where Chicagoans actually live.
The good news is, if you are in the Loop, there is convenient public transportation nearby to take you to virtually every corner of this massive city. Here are a few easy excursions if you are staying in the Loop that will really show you some of the city beyond the major tourist attractions:
Take the Metra Electric Line south from Millennium Park to spend half a day visiting the excellent museums or visiting the University of Chicago and the local independent bookstores in Hyde Park.
Head south on the CTA Red Line to Chinatown for a delicious Cantonese dinner.
Take the CTA Red Line north to Lawrence Avenue in Uptown for a night of jazz at the historic Green Mill.
Hop on the CTA Blue Line to Damen Avenue in the epicenter of the ever-popular Wicker Park neighborhood, where you will find better dining options, way better bar options, and some eccentric shopping.
Take the CTA Brown/Purple lines north to Lincoln Park and Old Town to visit Chicago's top comedy clubs and celebrity chefs, or to head into lovely Lincoln Park, home of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the famous North Avenue Beach.