Itinerary for Chicago – Windy City Getaway

Chicago is a major metropolis located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois. It’s the third-largest city and metropolitan area in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles.

Progress and modernization rule in Chicago. The old Chicago with its smoke-spewing factories and quarreling politicians—not to mention machine gun-wielding gangsters—is mostly gone, having given way to a new Chicago. From the sternly classical to the space age, from the Gothic to the coolly modern, Chicago is a place with an embarrassment of architectural riches. Modern architecture was born here. Frank Lloyd Wright fans will swoon to see his earliest buildings here, where he began his professional career.

Chicago’s museums and cultural institutions are among the best in the world. Three of them are located within a short walk of each other in the Near South, on what is known as the museum campus, in a beautiful spot along the lake: the Adler Planetarium, with cool hands-on space exhibits and astronomy shows; the Field Museum; and the Shedd Aquarium, with the best collection of marine life east of California. A short distance away, on the South Chicago Shore, is the most fun of them all, the Museum of Science and Industry—or, as generations of Chicago-area grade school students know it, the best field trip ever.

In the Loop, the Art Institute of Chicago has a handful of iconic household names among an unrivaled collection of Impressionism, modern and classical art, and tons of historical artifacts. And in Lincoln Park, a short trip from the Loop, the cheerful (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes visitors every day of the week.

Set in the heart of the ?Magnificent Mile? The Peninsula Chicago is ideally situated near all of the city?s key attractions, businesses and entertainment. On the doorstep of Chicago?s Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue, the hotel is located in the center of the city?s most exclusive shops and steps from the historic Water Tower. The Peninsula Chicago is located 13 miles from Chicago Midway Airport and 17 miles from Chicago O?Hare International Airport. The Peninsula Chicago offers 9,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space, providing the flexibility for every type of event from intimate meetings to lavish galas. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 550 guests in a variety of configurations. Five additional function rooms and a boardroom with a plasma flat screen television and a fully equipped business center with offices and computer stations are also available for rental. Several fine dining options are available. Avenues serves contemporary cuisine from an exhibition kitchen, and was recently awarded perfect scores from each of Chicago?s major publications in 2005. A fully-equipped spa and exercise facility with panoramic city views is located at the top of the hotel. The Peninsula Chicago offers 339 luxurious and spacious guestrooms and suites furnished in a magnificent classical style, including the 3,000 square foot Peninsula Suite. Each guestroom and suite is equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic system that allows guests to control guestroom features with the touch of a button. All guestrooms and suites feature marble bathrooms with separate shower, a deep soaking tub with a television above the tub, and hands-free telephone. Also included are an oversized executive desk with silent fax machine, dataport and complimentary network and wireless high-speed Internet access.

Spend the day strolling down the "magnificent mile" and taking in the sites, sounds and smells (sometimes near the Loop in the early am and pm, you can smell the chocolate from the Bloomer Chocolate Factory). Be sure to visit the John Hancock Center - 94 stories up to the observation deck gets you amazing views of Chicago. The Old Water down (resembling a castle) is one of the few buildings that survived the 1871 fires. For those who love to shop, stop in at the Water Tower Place.

Depending on where you begin your stroll, you can either start with or end with a view of the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Towers (you'll hear more about these on your architectural boat tour, Day 2).

And, if you are lucky or perhaps brave enough to be in Chicago during the holidays, you won’t want to miss the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival with more than one million lights to open the season. Best advice – dress warm and ask a local for insider tips on best viewing spots. http://magnificentmilelightsfestival.com/

You can't miss the John Hancock Center if you happen to be passing through the North Side neighborhood of Chicago. A 100-storey expressionist design with a glass façade, it is the third-tallest building in the city and the fourth-tallest in the United States. Being a multi-functional structure, it houses restaurants, offices and condominiums too. And while you are here, enjoy the panoramic views that it offers—take a trip to the 94th floor and discover a breathtaking picture of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Talking telescopes provide information on the sites as you observe them, while an open-air sky walk allows you to experience the windiness of the Windy City from 1,000 feet up. You can also take a virtual tour of popular Chicago sights.

Maybe it’s because I am 100% Italian; maybe it’s because I feel connected to the Obamas (Spiaggia was where they celebrated following the election); maybe it’s the views of Lake Michigan; maybe it’s the wine. No matter what the reason, make reservations at Spiaggia.

They greet women and children with donut holes and milk duds. What more can I say! Lou Mitchells is an old-style Chicago eatery I always have a least one meal at while in the Windy City.

Take the boat tour - this is one of the best ways to experience Chicago.

Fans of John Belushi and “Saturday Night Live” (and even those who have experienced SNL via reruns) will want to stop at the Billy Goat. The “Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!” lines brought live to TV audiences on SNL are still going strong at this subterranean tavern.

From popular Rembrandt masterpieces to recent works by lesser-known artists, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest art collections in the world. Spanning centuries of human creativity, exhibits include a distinguished collection of prints and drawings, an internationally acclaimed collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, sculptures, photographs, Asian, African and American arts, architectural drawings, textiles and more. Many pieces are on loan from the famed Terra Foundation for American Art. Educational programs and guided museum tours are available. Art books, reproductions, postcards and other items are available in the museum shop. Free public lectures are given during weekends. Art Institute of Chicago also added a modern wing for contemporary art which makes the art museum the second largest in the United States

Grant Park stretches from the Museum Campus at Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road all the way north to the Prudential building, with Columbus Drive on its west side and the lake on its east. At one time, this stretch of land was undeveloped and a prime target for builders. However, department store magnate Montgomery Ward did not want the lake view from his Michigan Avenue office obstructed, so he successfully lobbied the city to create Grant Park. In the summer months, the grounds bloom with rose gardens, and the famous Buckingham Fountain springs to life. The Petrillo Band Shell is home to the Grant Park Music Festival and also hosts such events as Jazz Fest, Celtic Fest and Blues Fest. Perhaps the park is most famous for The Taste of Chicago, a culinary festival which happens every year in late June and early July.

Since its opening in 1924, by two brothers from Italy, this local favorite has received numerous prizes. It really is Giordano's famous stuffed pizza here, have no doubt. While this local chain restaurant has several locations, this is the biggest and best. The Mostaccioli here is more than simply tasty. Lasagna Florentine with Alfredo sauce also holds its own.

This place is legendary! It’s a terrific addition to any trip for those who love comedy and might want an early brush with performers destined to become famous!

Every time I visit Chicago, I have lunch at Heaven on Seven. The New Orlean’s style comfort food has a nice kick. The Jalapeno corn cheddar muffins are amazing, and I often have dreams about the Chocolate Bourbon pecan pie. Yum!

Millennium Park is one of the newest additions to Chicago's many wide-open urban spaces, and is host to a range of indoor/outdoor activities for the entire family. You can listen to top musical events at the outdoor pavilion, or glide across the bustling ice skating rink come winter. The park is also home to some of the city's best public art, such as the interactive Crown Fountain, and the scene-stealing Cloud Gate—a mirrored sculpture situated in the middle of the plaza. For a scenic walk, take a stroll through the Lurie Garden, or wind your way along Frank Gehry's BP Bridge. For a bit of the park's history, be sure to take a peek at the Peristyle, a replica of the curving row of paired Greek columns that were on the corner of Grant Park near Michigan and Randolph from 1917 to 1953. While in the park one cannot afford to miss the Cloud Gate Sculpture, a three storied structure built with 110 tons of steel. It is called the Bean Sculpture by the residents.

Nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan, this indoor aquatic world the John G. Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 650 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from across the globe. Explore Caribbean waters at the 90,000-gallon coral reef exhibit, or watch whales and dolphins play during marine mammal shows. Eat at Soundings restaurant, where you will find a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, or in the Bubble Net food court. Aquatic souvenirs are available in the gift shop. See website for package deals, visitor info, maps, membership details, and events calendar. The Aquarium opens daily at 9am.

One of the largest enclosed gardens in the world, this historic landmark on the West Side was created by landscape architect Jens Jensen. He patterned the conservatory after large domed haystacks dotting the 1908 mid western countryside. Plant collections and flower displays are showcased in heavily landscaped naturalistic settings. The conservatory hosts a number of educational programs and family activities throughout the year. Guided tours are available. Admission is fee.

Dubbed a Chicago landmark, Gene & Georgetti is a no-frills steakhouse. Although the fillet mignon is good, the food is overpriced for the quality. However, the two-level restaurant does fill up quickly with people clamoring to fill their stomachs. Do not expect to find anything fancy on the menu, or even any descriptions for that matter. Modern trends in food and ambiance have not arrived here, and they probably never will.