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Windy City Essentials: Where to Stay & What to Do

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From iconic skyline views and world-famous deep-dish pizza to luxury hotels and unforgettable attractions, this list covers the very best of Chicago. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or planning your first trip to the Windy City, these a...
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Chicago Food Spots Worth the Hype

 
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Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati's is as rich in history as its deep dish pizza is in flavor. They have the freshest and finest ingredients and every pizza is hand made. Legendary deep dish pizza with a famous Buttercru...
LOU MALNATI'S PIZZERIA, Chicago
 
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Famous Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Family-friendly atmosphere and delicious food… Many say the best pizza around!
GIORDANO'S, Chicago
 
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A Culinary experience of a lifetime!  Chef Grant Achatz’s flagship restaurant continues to be one of the city’s most immersive experiences.
ALINEA, Chicago - Lincoln Park
 
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Dive into the authentic taste of Chicago Street food at our 30s & 40s Prohibition themed restaurant.  Close to many landmarks including, Bally Casino Chicago, House of Blues Chicago, Navy Pier, Loyola University Chicago Campus. Savor our char-broiled burgers, Italian Beef Sandwiches, iconic Chicago-style hot dogs, and fresh chopped salad. Don't miss ...
PORTILLO'S & BARNELLI'S CHICAGO - River North
 
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Unbelievable food, efficient & fun service, & the highest quality products available, served in an exciting setting, seems like a simple equation for a great Saturday night out. The difference at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is that this is a...
GIBSONS BAR & STEAKHOUSE, Chicago
 
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Girl & the Goat has been serving fun foods, craft beers, and making wine in a rustic and kick-butt environment since summer 2010.  It remains a lively and consistently busy restaurant, with a dining room that hums from open to close. The energetic atmosphere is matched by a warm and welcoming staff.  You are guaranteed to have a great dining experience here!
GIRL & THE GOAT, Chicago - West Side
 
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80 years of tradition and an award-winning commitment to dining excellence! unbelievable wine selection and fully stocked bar will intrigue you while you indulge in our menu, which boldly offers entrées from steaks to chops, seafood to pasta. Steeped...
GENE & GEORGETTI, Chicago - River North
 
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The Berghoff Restaurant is a Chicago landmark, serving German-style cuisine and culture since 1898. One of the oldest family-run businesses in the nation, now run by the fourth generation, Pete Berghoff. Today's Berghoff menus have evolved to add new...
THE BERGHOFF RESTAURANT, Chicago
 
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If you want to experience one of Chicago’s most legendary pizza spots, Pequod's Pizza is a must-visit. Famous for its signature caramelized crust and deep-dish style pizza, Pequod’s has built a reputation as one of the best pizza experiences in the c...
PEQUODS PIZZA, Chicago
 
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For an unforgettable steakhouse experience in the heart of the city, Chicago Cut Steakhouse is one of the top dining destinations in Chicago. Known for its premium steaks, upscale atmosphere, and stunning views along the Chicago River, this spot comb...
CHICAGO CUT STEAKHOUSE - River North

these Chicago spots never disappoint.

Whether it’s your first visit to Chicago or you’ve been here before, these are the spots that always deliver. From iconic landmarks and incredible food to unforgettable views and hidden gems, this list highlights the experiences that make the Windy C...

 
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You have to see it to believe it!  See why the Art Institute of Chicago is arguably the  top-ranked museum in the world.  Experience the greatest Impressionist collection outside Paris, and view contemporary masterpieces in the spectacular Modern Wing. Stand before classics like Nighthawks, and travel the globe through galleries devoted to the art of ancient Greece, Jap...
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO - What an amazing place!
 
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A visit to Millennium Park is a must when exploring Chicago. Home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture better known as “The Bean” this downtown landmark perfectly captures the energy and beauty of the city. From stunning skyline views and public art to...
Millennium Park - Home of "The Bean"
 
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One of the most impressive and interactive museums in Chicago, making it a perfect stop for visitors of all ages. From exploring a real German submarine captured during World War II to hands-on science exhibits, space exploration, and innovative tech...
GRIFFIN MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
 
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he Magnificent Mile is a prime hospitality, dining and retail destination in the heart of Chicago. This section of Michigan Avenue, running from the banks of the Chicago River to Oak Street, features more than 460 shops, from high-end boutiques like ...
The Magnificent Mile a Shoppers Dream!
 
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Skydeck Chicago is the breathtaking, thrilling observatory atop the iconic Willis Tower. The highest observation deck in the United States, Skydeck provides views of the city spanning up to four states and 50 miles on a clear day. Skydeck features Th...
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

Stay in style in the heart of Chicago.

 
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The Peninsula Chicago is the five-star hotel that brought traditional Asian service to a city already renowned for the warmth of its hospitality. The hotel has become an integral part of Chicago life and is considered the top choice for everything fr...
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO
 
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An icon in the city, offering majestic views of the skyline, Chicago River, and Lake Michigan, The Langham, Chicago's 316 luxurious guestrooms occupy the first 13 floors of a 52-story building designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe. A perfe...
THE LANGHAM, CHICAGO
 
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A vibrant hub of culture, style and energy, our newly transformed Hotel is iconic luxury boldly reimagined to capture the essence of Chicago through inspired food, drink, art and music. Experience unrivaled lake and skyline views at the heart of Magn...
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CHICAGO
 
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Experience Parisian-style charm near Michigan Avenue at our Downtown Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood hotel. We're just steps away from Rush Street and one block from the famous Magnificent Mile. Choose from our elegant guest rooms featuring firepla...
WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO
 
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Our luxury hotel in downtown Chicago is an innovative, architectural marvel crystallized in tradition. Situated at a premier location where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan, The St. Regis Chicago's impeccably appointed guest rooms and suites rev...
THE ST. REGIS CHICAGO
 
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The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, offers an iconic address that unites the city, lake and sky in a vibrant and luxurious setting. At our Chicago luxury hotel on the Gold Coast, the legacy lives through generations of families, travelers and trailblazers, pr...
THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHICAGO
 
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Steeped in history, anchored in style. Set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, Pendry Chicago is a modern-day luxury hotel that pays homage to both the past and the present with contemporary, ...
PENDRY CHICAGO
 
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Voted #1 Best Chicago Hotel by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025 Nestled just steps from the historic Water Tower and famed Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt Chicago offers 146 reimagined guestrooms and 36 uniquely designed suites that epitomize au... Guests are invited to a true home-away-from-home experience in the heart of the city.
PARK HYATT CHICAGO
 
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It doesn’t get more Chicago than this 1893 icon of old-world design and good cheer. Originally home to an elite men’s club, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel building is an architectural gem dating back to 1893. Converted to a boutique hotel and...
CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HOTEL
 
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The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, a one MICHELIN Key hotel, is a sculptural masterpiece blending 1930s Chicago glamour with contemporary elegance. With seasonal activations and celebrations, it stands as an iconic Art Deco landmark, crafted by tra...
THE GWEN, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO