Illinois Archives - Travel Frances

Chicago, IL: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books:

- Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is a true story about Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair, and it really does get you in the mood.
- Discovering Vintage Chicago by Amy Bizzarri is another favorite in a series for timeless shops, bars, etc.
- Marshall Field’s by Gayle Soucek shares its history about a timeless landmark where Macy’s now resides.

Getting There – Just fly. Pick your favorite airline, but it is a hub for both Southwest at Midway (my preferred Chicago airport) and United at O’Hare.

Chicago, IL: Getting Around & Accommodations

Getting Around:

- Lyft, Uber or taxis to and from the airport.
- Lyft, Uber or taxis to get around the city. No need to rent a car and pay for expensive parking.
- Chicago “L” is the local rapid transit system, easy to use.

Accommodations:

- Hyatt Place Chicago/River North is centrally located to “L” stops, Magnificent Mile & Navy Pier.
- Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is another great centrally located hotel recommended by a friend who travels to Chicago often.
- Bottom line – Everyone has their favorite place to stay, so I would use points for whatever hotel chain you prefer or whichever hotel booking website you like (Hotels.com, Booking.com, etc.)

MAP

Chicago, IL: Eating & Drinking

There are SO many wonderful restaurants in Chicago, it is challenging to choose, especially since new ones are always popping up. However, here are a few that I have bookmarked as my favorites and what draws me there:

- Avec (Mediterranean Small Plates)
- Aviary/The Office (Speakeasy)
- Acanto Restaurant & Wine Bar (Italian)
- The Drifter Chicago (Speakeasy)
- The Gage (Iconic Restaurant at Crown Fountains)
- Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse (Steakhouse Icon)
- GT Fish & Oyster (Top Seafood Restaurant)
- Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse (Baseball, food & drink)
- Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House (Finest Seafood)
- King Crab House (Oldest Crabhouse)
- Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen (Since 1942)
- Marisol (Innovative flavors at the MCA)
- Old Town Ale House (Art Filled Dive Bar since 1958)
- Pizzeria Uno & Pizzeria Due (Chicago Deep Dish)
- The Promontory (Hearth to Table)
- The Publican (Eclectic Farmhouse Fare)
- Shaw’s Crab House (Premiere Seafood Restaurant)
- Signature Room (95th Floor of Hancock Center)
- Topo Gigio Ristorante (Old School Fine Italian)

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Chicago, IL: Things to do

So much to see and do! Do these!

- Blues Heaven Foundation (Original Chess Records)
- Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
- Chicago Crime Tour (Criminals, landmarks, crime scenes)
- Chicago Detours (Food, drink and architecture tours)
- Chicago Prohibition Tour (Speakeasy and cocktail tours)
- Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (Sophisticated live Jazz!)
- Inside Chicago Walking Tours (Loop & art deco tours)
- Macy’s History Tour (Learn the origins of Macy’s)
- Redhead Piano Bar (Live piano sing-a-longs of yesteryear)
- Untouchable Tours (Chicago’s Original Gangster tour)

See these!

- 360 Chicago Observation Deck at John Hancock Building (Great views!)
- Chicago Architecture Center (City models, Chicago building history)
- Field Museum (Mummies, dinosaurs, pyramids, oh my!)
- House of Glunz (Wine & Liquor Shop since 1988 – also a yummy Pub)
- Museum of Broadcast Communications (Radio Hall of Fame)
- Navy Pier (Gardens, Ferris Wheel, statues, fireworks!)
- Signature Room/Lounge at John Hancock Building (Great views!)
- Skydeck/Ledge at Willis (Sears) Tower (Great views!)
- Soldier Field (Football)
- Wrigley Field (Baseball) & Wrigley Field Tours