Are you coming to Chicago?

Are you going to Chicago for the Extraordinary Educators Conference?   I'm so excited for the conference and to have all these fabulous educators just steps  from me.

Yes, you read that correctly, I'm fortunate to live just a few steps, okay 3 blocks, from the hosting hotel, and I figured I'd help you out with places to go, eat, shop, do on your downtime or any other time you come to Chicago!

As I’m walking the dog, I usually get asked where to go by tourists, so I figured I could be your little concierge and help you find some place to eat and things to do! There are SOOOOOO many yummy places, but these are some of the possibilities! I stuck a small area around the hotel since it’s been SOOOOOO hot out and I don’t want you to melt.

 

That's Riley on a walk at North Bridge!

Places to stop for a quick bite near the Marriot Hotel.

Chipotle (Grand  & State)

Northbridge 4^th floor Food Court (this is the Nordstrom’s building).

 

Rooftops

Vertigo Lounge at Dana Hotel(State and Erie) – swanky but fun!

Rock Bottom (State and Grand) – local(ish) brewery  

Zed451 (Clark and Superior) – great vibe and place to relax.

The Wit – great views of the city, but go early before the crowd turns.

 

Suggested Restaurants

Quartino (State and Ontario) -  yummy Italian tapas. Worth the wait!

Bub City (Clark and Illinois) – BBQ with great live music (Sun, Mon, Wed & Thur) and karaoke on Tuesdays!

Sunda (Illinois between Clark and LaSalle) – great sushi place with celebrity sightings!

RPM (Dearborn and Illinois) – Giuliana and Bill Rancic’s Italian restaurant. Typical to see him, but can be a long wait.

Frontera Grill (Clark and Illinois) - Rick Bayless’ restaurant. It’s closed on Monday’s. First come, first serve if you don’t have reservations. Lines usually begin by 4:30! His XOCO restaurant is excellent and not as long of a wait.

Paris (Hubbard between Dearborn and Clark) – great food and upstairs is Club Paris!

Live concert at Bub City!

 

Chicago Food

Garrett’s Popcorn (Michigan & Ontario) go during the week because it’s a much shorter line!

Portillo’s (Clark & Ontario) – the best hot dog and beef sandwiches. Don’t forget to try the chocolate cake shake!

Pizzeria Due (Ontario and Wabash) – the same restaurant as Pizzeria Uno but usually half the wait! So delicious!

 

Grab a Drink

Pops for Champagne (Ohio and State) – love this place for a glass of bubbly!

Redhead Piano Bar (Ontario between Dearborn and State) – great old time feeling bar open late night.

Public House (Kinzie and State) – busy bar with a great food and drink menu

Howells and Hood (Michigan Avenue in the Tribune Building) - great drinks and food! Can't beat the location!

Sierra Tavern (Kinzie and Dearborn) – new bar with a great feel.

The bars on Hubbard Street or Rush and Division

 

Need a workout? Check out Yoga Loft Chicago! Take one of Tim’s fit blast classes and you’ll leave feeling amazing!  Or simply go for a walk/run along the lake on the path and you can even rent a bike.

Don’t forget to check out Millennium Park for a free concert or to see the sights.  The best tourist thing – take the architecture boat cruise!  Navy Pier has fireworks on Saturday and Wednesday nights. The best place to view them is from the boat docks across from Navy Pier. Take the Chicago River Path out towards the lake and you’ll see the Fireboat building. They shoot them off from there.

 

If you’re parking, many of the parking garages on Ohio have discounted prices if you’re in by 9 AM and leave by 6 or 7 PM.

 

If you’re here tonight, don’t forget to check out the Jason Aldean concert at Wrigley Field!  I’ll be there and cannot wait!

 

If you have a question, feel free to E-mail me! I love showing people around the city. J