When you need a cosmopolitan weekend, head for Chicago. This city is the nation’s third largest metropolis and is known for it’s innovative architecture, second-to-none theaters, amazing art and more.
What to Do and See
Take a walk in Millennium Park and admire the cityscape reflected in the “Bean” — that’s the nickname for “Cloud Gate,” the 110-ton stainless steel sculpture that attracts tourtists from all walks of life.
(Photo: Jim & Barbara Twardowski)
Measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high, the elliptical piece of art was inspired by liquid mercury and created by British artist Anish Kapoor. If you’re willing to explore the 24.5 acre park, rent a bike from McDonald’s Cycle Center; or catch a music or dance performance at the Harris Theater from September through May.
One block from Lake Michigan, the one million square foot Art Institute Chicago is both a museum and an art school; each year, the museum features 30 changing exhibits. One of the most recent exhibits, Picasso and Chicago, displayed more than 250 pieces of the artist’s works including paintings, prints, sculpture, drawings and ceramics. Some of the must-see pieces include: Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” George Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” and Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.”
(Photo: Jim & Barbara Twardowski)
The Chicago theaters are in a class of their own. Celebrating more than 50 years of improv, Second City has launched an impressive list of celebs including Tina Fey, Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert. The Steppenwolf Theatre Company productions have even garnered national and international awards for four decades. While we were in town, we snagged two tickets to the pre-Broadway World Premiere of “Big Fish.” The show’s lead is Tony-award winner Nobert Leo Butz. It’s exciting to see a show in development and this one looks like it’ll be a huge hit.
(Photo: dlagorio)
A fantastic way to admire Chicago’s world-renowned architecture is on a Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. A trained volunteer docent provides a fascinating 90-minute talk aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruise vessel, which glides along the Chicago River. While on the tour, passengers have an unparalleled view of more than 50 of the city’s most architecturally significant structures such as: the Wrigley Building, the Aqua, the Tribune Tower, the Willis (formerly Sears) and the Trump Tower.
(Photo: Jim & Barbara Twardowski)
Where to Eat
Chicago’s dining scene is as comforting as deep dish pizza or as elegant as a Michelin star-awarded restaurant. Directly behind the Radisson Blu is Mariano’s — a grocery store/deli with hot entrees, indoor seating and wines from around the world. Get all the ingredients for a fabulous picnic and spend an afternoon soaking up sunshine in an urban park.
Try Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza at Gino’s East or Giordano’s. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at Mezcalina; a small, upscale establishment is a delight for the pallet and the eyes, as more than 20 paintings and sculptures give the space a vibrant energy.
(Photo: Jim & Barbara Twardowski)
For an extravagant evening out, make reservations at Sixteen, the restaurant on the 16th floor of the Trump International Hotel and Tower. This is the place to be on Wednesday and Saturday nights when fireworks from the Navy Pier fill the sky. The Terrace is open seasonally. The 30-foot-tall restaurant windows face the Wrigley Building’s clock and the Tribune Tower’s gothic crown.
Where to Stay
Chicago hotels are unparalled and one of the newest ones is the Radisson Blu Aqua, an upscale brand found around the globe. This Chicago hotel is their first in the United States and the lobby’s 50-foot-long fireplace is positioned on a wall covered in imported brass Egyptian medallions. The modern design continues with the hotel’s bar and restaurant, Filini, which offers contemporary, Italian food that’s prepared in the exhibition kitchen around the corner from an art gallery displaying the works of Chicago artists.
(Photo: Jim & Barbara Twardowski)
Our king room had a park view with dark chocolate walls and turquoise carpeting, and a wooden door with frosted glass separated the bedroom from the bathroom. The hotel provides his and her bathrobes, Anne Semonin bath products, an in-room coffee/tea machine and complimentary Wi-Fi as some amenities. If you’re looking to work up a sweat, the hotel boasts a fitness center with an indoor basketball court and heated lap pool (a rooftop outdoor pool is open seasonally). Guests who like to jog don’t even have to leave the hotel as a 1/5 mile track circles the exterior of the building.
Situated just steps from Millennium Park and a short walk to the Art Institute Chicago, the Radisson Blu Aqua is a chic hotel with a convenient location.
Forty-eight hours in unpretentious Chicago is all it takes to refuel the soul.
