Here are the variety of restaurants and cultural sites recommended by our Local Committee!
Eat:
Restaurant Name | Address | Venue type (bar, restaurant, etc.) | Website | Close to conference? | Group size? | Tips on getting there (walk, bus, etc.) | What makes this awesome? (eg: description) |
Cafecito Chicago | 26 East Congress Parkway, | Casual lunch and dinner | http://www.cafecitochicago.com/ | Yes | 2-4, 6 is a stretch | Walk | Where else in Chicago can you get all sorts of AMAZING Cuban sandwiches made from a former student of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago? The answer is only at Cafecito. |
Vapiano’s | 44 S. Wabash Ave. | Casual Italian | vapiano.com | Yes | 2-many, depending on tables available | Walk – it’s across the street from the Palmer House! | With all the great pizza places in Chicago, this fairly new establishment serves some yummy thin crust pizza that puts it at the top. Even our Italian boss approves! |
Toni Patisserie & Cafe | 65 E. Washington St. | Casual French | http://www.tonipatisserie.com/ | Yes | 2 – 6 | Walk | Cute little French cafe with good soups, sandwiches and desserts! Oui Oui! |
Bombay Wraps | 122 N Wells St | Casual Indian street food | http://bombaywraps.com/ | Yes | 2 – 4 | 10 Minute Walk | The paneer wraps are a favorite, along with samosas and Indian sodas like Thumbs Up and Limca! |
Hot Woks Cool Sushi | 30 S Michigan Ave | Asian Fusion | http://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-woks-cool-sushi-chicago-2?osq=Asian+Restaurants | YEs | 2/6/2015 | Across from Art Institute | Always full |
GePaDe | 60 E Adams | Italian cafe | http://www.yelp.com/biz/ge-pa-de-caffe-chicago-3 | Yes | 2 to 4 | Across from Art Institute | Great coffee and pastries, light Italian lunch |
Kim and Carlo’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs | Museum Campus – 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. | Hot Dog Stand | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-And-Carlos-Chicago-Style-Hot-Dogs/356325084420684 | A good walk or short cab ride to Museum Campus | Any | You could walk South up the lake front path to the Museum Campus or take a quick cab ride there | Best Chicago-style hot dogs, and they even have veggie dogs. Definitely get the peppers, they are spicy but so worth it! |
Seven Lions | 130 S. Michigan | American for lunch or dinner | http://www.sevenlionschicago.com/ | Yes | 2-many | Walk up to Michigan, head South and it’s just a block up | Former Check Please host Alpana Singh opens up her second restaurant in Chicago. Good selection of wines and definitely try the cauliflower steak! |
Potbelly Sandwich Shop | 200 S. Michigan | Casual lunch, sandwiches | http://www.potbelly.com/Shops/ShopLocator.aspx?PotbellyShopId=245 | Yes | 2-many | Walk up to Michigan, head South and it’s right past Adams | Good, satisfying sandwiches. |
Benjyehuda | 10 S. LaSalle | Casual lunch | http://www.benjyehuda.com/ | yes, long walk | 2 to 6 | Walk west to LaSalle and take a right | Falafels and shawarma made to order and delicious |
Harold’s Chicken Shack | Various locations around Chicago | Casual | http://www.yelp.com/biz/harolds-chicken-shack-chicago-8 | Short cab rides | 2-many | Cab it | Good, greasy fried chicken |
Frontera Fresco | 111 North State Street | Casual | http://www.fronterafresco.com/home.php | Yes | 2-many | Walk North on State or Wabash to Macy’s | Top Chef star Rick Bayless is known for his Mexican food and brings it to this accessible location. |
Yolk | 1120 S. Michigan | Casual | http://eatyolk.com/ | Yes | 2 to 12 | Walk South on Michigan or take a short cab ride | Yummy brunch |
The Bongo Room | 1152 S. Wabash | Casual | http://thebongoroom.com/ | yes, long walk | 2 to 8 | Walk South on Wabash or take a cab | A long time Chicago establishment known for brunch. |
Artopolis | 306 S. Halsted | Casual | http://artopolischicago.com/ | Yes, long walk or short cab ride | 2 to 8 | You could walk straight down Monroe to Halsted, take the Madison Bus, or cab it | In the middle of Greektown, Artopolis or any of the nearby Greek restaurants offer authentic food and great atmospheres. |
Meli Cafe & Juice Bar | 301 S. Halsted | Casual | http://www.melicafe.com/ | Yes, long walk | 2 to 8 | Long walk or take the bus | A variety of juices and brunch |
Heaven on Seven | 111 N. Wabash | Casual | http://www.heavenonseven.com/wabash.html | Yes | 2 to many | Take Wabash up a few blocks and you’re there | Cajun-Creole food, cash only |
Nellcotte | 833 W. Randolpsh | Casual/Fancy dinner | http://www.nellcoterestaurant.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Short cab ride to Randolph St. | European small plates in a beatiful setting |
Parlor Pizza Bar | 832 W Washington Blvd | Casual Pizza | http://www.parlorchicago.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Short cab ride | Neopolitan-inspired pizzas |
RM Champagne | 116 N. Green St. | Bar | http://www.rmchampagnesalon.com/ | Yes | Small groups | Short cab ride | Unique setting for drinks, especially if it’s nice outside |
Au Cheval | 800 W. Randolpsh | Upscale diner | http://auchevalchicago.com/ | Yes | Small groups | Short cab ride | |
Tesori | 65 E. Adams St. | Casual bar/pizza | http://www.tesorichicago.com/menu/ | Yes | Small groups | Walk North on Wabash to Adams | |
Pizano’s | 61 E. Madison St. | casual | http://www.pizanoschicago.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Walk North on Wabash and take a right on Madison | The buttery crust! |
Wildberry | 130 E. Randolph | casual brunch | http://www.wildberrycafe.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Walk East to Michigan, take a left, and then left on Randolph | Pancakes! |
The Gage | 24 S. Michigan | Casual/Upscale | http://www.thegagechicago.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Walk East to Michigan and hang a left | Shishito peppers, cocktails, and nice atmosphere |
Acanto | 18 S. Michigan | Casual/Upscale | http://www.acantochicago.com/ | Yes | 2 to many | Walk East to Michigan and hang a left | Italian food |
Museums:
Museum name | Address | Website |
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum | 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 | www.adlerplanetarium.org |
The Art Institute of Chicago | 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.artic.edu |
Chicago History Museum | 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 | www.chicagohistory.org |
DuSable Museum of Aftrican American History | 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637 | www.dusablemuseum.org |
DePaul Art Museum | 935 W Fullerton | http://museums.depaul.edu/ |
The Field Museum | 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 | www.fieldmuseum.org |
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture | 3015 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 | iprac.org |
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | www.mcachicago.org |
National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608 | www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org |
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum | 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 | www.naturemuseum.org |
Shedd Aquarium | 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 | www.sheddaquarium.org |
Chicago Cultural Center | 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 | www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html/ |
Brookfield Zoo | 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 | www.brookfieldzoo.org |
Lincoln Park Zoo | 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 | www.lpzoo.org |
University of Chicago Oriental Institute | 1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637 | oi.uchicago.edu |
International Museum of Surgical Science | 1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610 | www.imss.org |
Swedish American Museum | 211 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60601 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org |
Chicago Children’s Museum | 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org |
Loyola University Museum of Art | 820 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | www.luc.edu/luma |
University of Chicago Smart Museum of Art | 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 | smartmuseum.uchicago.edu |
Museum of Contemporary Photography | 600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 | www.mocp.org |
Driehaus Museum | 40 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611 | www.driehausmuseum.org |
National Hellenic Museum | 333 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 | www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org |
Museum of Broadcast Communications | 360 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654 | www.museum.tv |
Leather Archives and Museum | 6418 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 | www.leatherarchives.org |
Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture | 6500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629 | www.balzekasmuseum.org |
Pritzker Military Museum & Library | 104 S Michigan Ave | http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/ |
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art | 40 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208 | http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/ |
Sights:
Venue name | Location | Walkable from venue? | Why visit? |
Millennium Park | 201 E Randolph St | Yes | Visit this collection of sculpture from world-renowned artists and debate whether or not Chicago is the open-air museum for public art it claims to be. |
The Chicago Picasso | 50 W Washington St | Yes | In case you need more sculpture after Millennium Park, this work was initially reviled by Chicagoans and is now deeply loved. |
Dearborn St. | Dearborn/Jackson to Randolph/Jackson | Yes | The main public art pieces are there – start with Calder’s Flamingo in front of the postal office at Jackson; walk north on the W sidewalk; sneak into the Marquette building and enjoy the mosaics; the huge Chagall mosaic piece is a block north; keep going north and stop by the Miro and Picasso in Daley Plaza; walk a block NW across the plaza and see the Dubuffet in front of the Thompson ctr. |
Maggie Daley Park | 337 E Randolph St | Yes | This beautiful new park is fun for kids and adults alike. We dare you to brave the slides! Many feel like mini roller coaster rides! |
The Rookery | 209 S. LaSalle St. | Yes | Originally designed by Burnham and Root, then remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright, this building lobby is a true gem in the middle of the Chicago Loop. Tours: http://cal.flwright.org/tours/rookery |
The Lakefront | The Lake | Yes | Walk straight up East on Monroe and you’ll arrive at our beautiful lakefront. Take a seat and enjoy the beautiful serene views or take a walk South along the path up to Museum Campus or North to Navy Pier. |
The Signature Lounge | 875 N Michigan Ave | Yes or short cab or bus ride | Go up to the 95th floor of the John Hancock building and enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of Chicago while enjoying a martini or two. |
Buddy Guy’s Legends | 700 S. Wabash | Yes | You wanna hear Chicago Blues? This is one of the best places to go. BTW, Buddy Guy just won a lifetime Grammy award. |
Smart Bar | 3730 N. Clark | No, cab it or take the red line to Addison | House music was born in Chicago. Go to Smart Bar to listen to talented DJs spinning music you can’t help but dance to! |
Divvy | Everywhere | Yes | Grab a Divvy bike and explore Chicago and its unique neighborhoods. Bikes stations are everywhere throughout the city. |
Galleries:
Venue name | Location | Website | Walkable? | Why visit? |
Illinois State Museums Chicago Gallery | 2nd Floor James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, Il 60601 | http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/ | Yes | See local artists, witness state beaurocracy. Current exhibits highlights indigenous peoples perspectives on environmentalism. |
Aspect Ratio | 119 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607 | http://www.aspectratioprojects.com/ | No. CTA Green Line to Morgan Station | A unique Chicago gallery dedicated exclusively to video art and artists |
Threewalls | 119 N. Peoria #2C Chicago, IL 60607 | http://three-walls.org/ | No. CTA Green Line to Morgan Station | Currently showing “Outreach: Jaime Davidovich, 1974-1984” the first solo exhibition in Chicago of video and television works by the pioneering, overlooked Argentine artist Jaime Davidovich, curated by Daniel Quiles. |
Gallery 400 | 400 South Peoria Street (at Van Buren Street) Chicago, IL 60607 | http://gallery400.uic.edu/ | No. CTA Blue Line to UIC Station | Gallery 400 is the gallery for University of Illinois-Chicago. They’ll be showing graduation MFA thesis work during MW2015; who knows what you might see? |