A tourist in your own town
You don’t have to be a traveler to enjoy summer in the Windy City
New Yorkers flee the city during the summer for the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore. Bostonians leave for Martha’s Vineyard or Cape Cod. Chicagoans, they stay put. “We have three months where it’s more difficult to go outside,” says Craig Golden, principal at Blue Star Properties, which has developed many restaurants around the city. “It makes you really cherish the better weather. As soon as it hits 45 degrees out here, you start seeing people walking in shorts and T- shirts. They’re ready. I think that energy translates.”
It translates into a slew of travelers descending on this Midwestern metropolis to join locals in enjoying the many restaurants with outdoor patios, rooftop bars, parks, river cruises, and beaches. And Chicago rolls out the red carpet for them. “What makes summer in Chicago so special is simply the incredible variety of special events, festivals, performances and exhibits … set in one of the most visual and stunning backdrops of public space, parks and event venues,” says David Whitaker, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, the official tourism board. Here’s what summer visitors can expect.
Down by the river
Chicago’s buildings glow during the summer, and one of the most popular ways to gaze at them is on a cruise down the Chicago River. The 90- minute twilight cruise by Chicago’s First Lady Cruises operates in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Docent Kathy Kurlick tells the stories of more than 50 buildings along the river, all built in less than 100 years.
“Chicago built more skyscrapers than anyone from 1934 to 1955,” she says.
The most famous are the Hancock Center, the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building and the Willis Tower. But there are many other buildings that don’t get as much attention, such as the Poetry Foundation, a modernist building with a public garden and a 30,000- volume library.
Even Chicago’s 1.25- mile Riverwalk is an example of carefully orchestrated urban design. The downtown waterfront park and pedestrian trail runs along the south bank of the river. Its vendors debut their offerings each May. The promenade has restaurants, boat
rentals, theater- style seating for performances, benches and other attractions such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Up in the sky
On the 21st floor of the Conrad Chicago hotel is a new rooftop lounge called Noyane. It means “hidden roof” in Japanese. It’s not exactly hidden, though, as even though it just opened in May, it’s quickly become known in Chicago as a place with city views to get high- quality sushi and sashimi by Chef Jordan Dominguez. “Chicago is beautiful in the summer and a rooftop bar allows [ guests] to soak in the downtown skyline and lake views,” says Gordon Taylor, director of sales and marketing. One floor down is Baptiste & Bottle, which of- fers a unique cocktail program, including a $ 95 rare cask Macallan scotch mixed with sherry called the Macallan Rare Journey.
Not far away is Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, the doyenne of the rooftop set. Its terrace has panoramic views of Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
The LondonHouse hotel has the three- level LH rooftop. The highlight of the top tier is a Roman- style cupola, a popular spot for wedding proposals and private dinners.
The Virgin Chicago has Cerise, part rooftop bar, part nightclub. In keeping with its playful vibe, the Woman in Red, aka Nichole Villerot, who is dressed in Virgin Atlantic Airways’ color scheme, is often on hand to greet customers.
The great outdoors
Most people don’t think of Chicago as a beach town, but it’s got 26 beaches.
On a recent afternoon, Oak Street Beach, off the Magnificent Mile, is packed with people playing volleyball and Frisbee.
North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park draws visitors for yoga, volleyball, paddleboarding and kayaking.
57th Street Beach in Hyde Park sits across the street from the Museum of Science and Industry, so patrons can have an educational and recreational day.
Another popular outdoor recreational area is the world- famous Navy Pier, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
And then there are dozens of parks, many with public works of art. Maggie Daley Park, connected to Millennium Park, is one of Chicago’s newest green spaces. Open since late 2014, it has a rock climbing wall and a three- acre Play Garden inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The 606 is a 2.7- mile, elevated trail on Chicago’s northwest side. Built on a former rail line, it is favored by runners and anyone else in search of open space.
Chow down, Chicago
Chicago has become such a foodie town that the James Beard Foundation relocated its awards ceremony from New York to the Windy City. Among its most notable chefs: Stephanie Izard, Rick Bayless, Art Smith and Graham Elliot. And then there’s Grant Achatz, whose restaurant Alinea has three Michelin stars. The Alinea Group opened a more casual spot almost a year ago. Roister, in the West Loop, is everything Alinea is not. It is loud, it serves large plates, it has a rustic décor and an open kitchen.