Things To Do
Willis Tower
Willis Tower, previously known as Sears Tower, is a 110-story skyscraper that was the tallest building in the world for almost 25 years. It’s now the second-tallest building in the U.S. behind One World Trade Center in New York. More than 1 million people visit the Willis Tower’s observation deck each year, making it one of Chicago’s most popular tourist destinations. The Willis Tower observation deck is located on the 103d floor of the building and now includes retractable glass boxes that extend four feet over the street below. On a clear day, visitors can see Michigan and Wisconsin.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S. More than 1.5 million visitors pass through its doors each year to see a collection that includes Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, and Grant Wood’s American Gothic. The museum spans almost one million square feet and is housed in a gorgeous beaux-arts building that was designed for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
See jazz at the Green Mill
The Green Mill opened in 1907 as Pop Morse’s Roadhouse. Al Capone was once a regular and his favorite booth is still standing. The booth has views of both the front and back entrances, something important to Capone and his associates, who also are said to have used a network of tunnels under the bar to evade authorities. The Green Mill has appeared in several movies, including “High Fidelity”, “Prelude to a Kiss”, and “Soul Food”.
Where To Eat
Au Cheval
Au Cheval is no ordinary diner. Menu items include chicken liver, roasted marrow bones, and a signature cheeseburger like none other. The Au Cheval burger is simple: prime beef formed into four-ounce patties and layered with Kraft American cheese. It’s topped with homemade pickles and Dijonnaise, with options to add a fried egg or thick-cut peppered bacon or foie gras.
Where To Stay
The Langham
This luxury hotel is housed within architect Mies van der Rohe’s last skyscraper. The hotel occupies the building’s first 13 floors, and offers some of the best bathtub views in Chicago. It is located along the Chicago River just a block from the shops of Michigan Avenue. Its Pavilion Lounge is known for its afternoon tea, and the hotel itself is something of a museum and houses 150 pieces of art.
