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On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best spas in Chicago?
Most of the best spas in town are attached to luxury hotels. The Peninsula Spa Chicago, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Spa at Trump Chicago, and the Elysian Spa & Health Club at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago are all Forbes Star-rated winners, and deservedly so, offering unique body treatments, a wide array of services for men, and top-notch standard services like manicures and pedicures.
With a nod toward Asian treatments, the Peninsula Spa offers a traditional Thai Poultice treatment focused on muscle relaxation as well as Ayurvedic rituals and experiences meant to balance spirit, mind and body. The spas at Trump Chicago and Four Seasons Hotel Chicago are both more traditional, offering seasonal facials, body treatments and hand and foot maintenance and massages. The Elysian & Health Club also offers traditional services, as well as some pre-natal services and a wide variety of men’s grooming options, all in a luxurious setting.
Beyond the Forbes Star–rated spas, Bliss is a steadfast go-to for excellent day-spa treatments in a relaxed environment with a take-home line of products to match. Finally, if you’ve got wheels, the tantalizing Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge is worth the trek for booking a full day’s relaxation. The little sister of the Forbes Five-Star rated Kohler Waters Spa in Kohler, Wis., the Burr Ridge location features several of the same treatments in an easy-to-get-to suburban Chicago location. -
On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best places to stay in Chicago?
For those interested in the downtown luxury-hotel scene, get ready to weigh your options. The Forbes Five Star–rated Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is at the top of that list (its restaurant, Sixteen, is also a Five Star–rated venue), and the views alone justify its awesomeness. Poised on the edge of the Chicago River with a clear view of Lake Michigan, it’s both one of the best located hotels in town as well as the one with the best site-lines.
The Five Star–rated Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and The Peninsula Chicago are both at the north end of Michigan Avenue toward the Gold Coast, each offering excellent service and dining options with views of Lake Michigan and downtown. The critically aclaimed restaurant known simply as The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago is one of the loveliest un-dining rooms in town, while the Four Seasons recently revamped its dining room to open Allium, with classic American cuisine.
Other Forbes Star-rated places to stay include the Ritz-Carleton Chicago and the Park Hyatt Chicago, both just off Michigan Avenue, and my personal favorite is the gorgeous Waldorf Astoria Chicago, situated in the Gold Coast just off the street via a French-style courtyard roundabout entrance. (Don't miss Bernard's Bar tucked into a quiet corner on the second floor.)
Further afield, Longman & Eagle is a unique tavern-style inn in Logan Square with a handful of rooms decorated with local artists and edgy style, while Hotel Lincoln offers a boutique hotel experience with stunning views of Lincoln Park and fun dining options, just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown.
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On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What is the best way to see Chicago in a day?
The quick-and-easy answer? From the water.
Even if you’re not big on tours (neither am I), I cannot say enough good things about Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Architecture River Cruise. While floating down the Chicago River, a well-educated docent points out the city’s most beautiful and historic buildings, and all you have to do is sit back, relax with a cocktail or local beer and take a snapshot or two. The views are unparalleled and the experience is unforgettable. Be sure to book in advance, as this is one of the most popular tours in the city—and for good reason.
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On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best things to do in Chicago?
One of my all-time favorite things to do in Chicago is to book a ticket with the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Architecture River Cruise. In a boat that’s just the right size (big enough not to rock, small enough to feel like you’re not one in a herd), you’re invited to pull up a chair on the top deck and take in the sights while a non-hokey architectural docent points out Chicago’s most beautiful architecture.
Beyond that, I always encourage visitors to check out Millennium Park, even if they’re just passing through on their way to the Art Institute of Chicago (another one of the best things to experience in town). No matter what time of year you’re visiting, there’s something happening in this giant park that’s considered Chicago’s front yard—from free summer concerts in the Frank Gehry–designed outdoor amphitheater, to caroling and ice skating during the wintertime.
Finally, two of the best things to do here are to eat and drink. Chicago’s dining and drinking scenes have both skyrocketed in the past decade, positioning many Chicago chefs at international caliber. All but a handful of top restaurants save some tables for walk-ins, and especially if you happen to stop by at an off-peak time, you might get lucky. Save room for after-dinner drinks: Chicago’s cocktail scene is having a moment, and there are dozens of venues around town whose bartenders love showing off.
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On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best free things to do in Chicago?
The biggest concentration of free activities in Chicago is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings: the Chicago Cultural Center. Situated on Michigan Avenue with entrances on both Randolph and Washington Streets, the building was home to the original Chicago Public Library and now hosts art exhibitions, dance performances, live music of all genres, film screenings and lectures—all free.
Across the street in Millennium Park, summertime means free concerts almost every evening. Locals spread blankets and nosh on picnics, or just sit in one of 4,000 chairs toward the front of the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Mondays are usually pop and rock oriented, Fridays are typically classical concerts performed by the Grant Park Orchestra, and there are sometimes other genres booked between.
The Art Institute of Chicago is by far Chicago’s must-visit museum, and it has a crowded but fun free night: Thursdays from 5-8pm. Beyond downtown, there are a ton of free entertainment events sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods. Wrigleyville’s renown iO (formerly Improv Olympic) hosts free comedy shows several times a week, and regular free concerts take place at seminal venues like the Hideout on the Near North Side, and the Empty Bottle in the Ukrainian Village. -
On April 22Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best things to do on a romantic trip in Chicago?
Presuming you’re visiting between April and October, you can’t go wrong with a sunset cruise along the Chicago River. Several tour companies offer themed cruises that make it possible to do just about anything while floating down river (brush up on Chicago history, learn about local breweries, etc), but my favorite line is Chicago’s First Lady, which partners with the Chicago Architecture Foundation for its docent-led Architecture River Cruise. Or, opt for a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Several charter cruise companies depart from Navy Pier in time to catch the sunset on the lake.
A lot of romance can be lent to a simple evening stroll in the park, and Chicago has a ton of beautiful settings. (Our 19th century nickname “City in a Garden” still rings true.) Downtown, Lurie Garden in Millennium Park is comprised of a maze of hedges, making for several private corners to sit a spell by the sculptural stream winding through it. In Lincoln Park, just north of downtown, the beautiful Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool incorporates prairie-school design into water sculptures, with swans swimming in the background.
Back in the city, one of the most romantic date spots for drinks and hors d'oeuvres or an intimate light meal is RM Champagne Salon in the West Loop, a short cab ride from downtown. Opened in 2012, the delicately French hideaway is tucked behind popular restaurant Nellcote, and its exposed brick, candlelit patio feels like provincial France. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What are the best things to do with kids in Chicago?
The closest thing downtown Chicago has to an amusement park is Navy Pier, which is easy to spot from pretty much anywhere, thanks to its ginormous Ferris wheel. (Fun fact: It’s modeled after the original Ferris wheel designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., which debuted at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition on Chicago’s South Side.) Navy Pier has an IMAX theater, bike rentals and a lengthy arcade with carnival games and vendors, and is open year-round. Entry is free, with ticketed games and experiences.
During the summer, you can’t beat an old-fashioned splash in a fountain at Millennium Park, where towering Crown Fountain spouts water from LED-projected mouths of everyday Chicagoans into a shallow pool perfect for wee ones. It’s free, of course, and sits on the south side of Millennium Park adjacent to the Modern Wing entrance of the Art Institute of Chicago, which also has lots of kids and educational programming throughout the year. Another kid-pleaser? Free summer concerts at Millennium Park, which start around sundown during the week, but sometimes include a special kid-focused program at noon on select dates.
Of course, Chicago is also overrun with incredible museums catering to the pint-sized set. Just south of downtown is Chicago's Museum Campus with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The campus is home to the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the The Field Museum where "Sue," the largest T-Rex skeleton in the world, is on permanent display. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
In a city as big as Chicago, there’s always something new going on. The hot theater ticket right now is Book of Mormon, written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The show opened in Chicago last winter in its first permanent production outside New York City, and it’s run here has been extended so many times at this point, it might as well be here to stay.
In the dining scene, perhaps the spring’s most anticipated opening is renown Chicago chef and restaurateur Carrie Nahabedian’s Brindille (pronounced brawn-DEE), scheduled for a late-April opening in River North, just down the street from Nahabedian’s decade-old classic, Naha.
On the hotel and spa tip, I’m especially curious about the opening of The Langham, currently is in construction at Mies van der Rohe’s landmark-designated IBM Building facing the Chicago River. The luxury hotel and spa is scheduled for a summer 2013 opening. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What's one thing most visitors don't know about Chicago?
Chicago has one of the largest Mexican populations in the United States -- third to just Los Angeles and Houston. Mexican culture is everywhere in Chicago, but its heart is in the near-south neighborhood of Pilsen, anchored at 18th Street and Ashland Avenue. With the National Museum of Mexican Art at the helm, Pilsen is home to a diverse Mexican-American culture representing many different Mexican states in terms of everything from cuisine to music. It's one reason celebrity chef Rick Bayless has made a name for himself in Chicago, often shopping for provisions -- and inspiration -- in Pilsen and nearby Little Village. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What's the must-have souvenir to bring home from Chicago?
Unless you're lucky enough to catch a fly-ball while at a Cubs or a Sox game, you might have to improvise and make your own memories instead of buying manufactured memorabilia. My favorite souvenirs are never of the gift-shop variety; they’re usually an accidental left-over from a great experience that may not have even been on my itinerary: a ticket stub from a performance I got into last-minute, an unusual seashell collected on a long walk on the shore, a cocktail napkin or matchbook from a new favorite lounge. In Chicago, there are so many possibilities to fill your time, you might find that the best souvenir is the folded playbill you discover in your coat pocket the following season, or the camera-phone snapshot of Lake Michigan at sunset, caught spontaneously while riding the El. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What should I pack for a trip to Chicago?
Trying to pack for Chicago weather can be pretty unpredictable. Weather forecasters sometimes call it "lake effect;" locals call it "annoying." But for the most part, Chicago's weather stays fairly true to seasons.
By the the time the summer solstice comes around in mid-June, Chicago is usually experiencing genuine warmth with long, balmy days. Short-sleeved shirts and tanktops, shorts and skirts (or sundresses), sandals and sunglasses are the uniform most locals wear from June through September, and you can usually skip a sweater or jacket at night, as our Midwestern nights are pleasant. Don't forget your swimsuit--a summer dip in Lake Michigan is heaven.
On cue in October, temperatures start shifting toward sweater weather. Jeans and long pants are best, as are close-toed shoes in case of rain. Later in autumn, nighttime temperatures can get downright cold, so bring a light coat and scarf.
And then there's winter. If you're visiting Chicago between the months of November and, say, March (sometimes even later than that), plan on dressing in lots of layers topped with your warmest winter coat. Thanksgiving-time in Chicago can be pleasant -- think mid-40s with beautiful fall colors -- but into January and February, pack full-on winter gear: hats, scarves, mittens and sturdy boots with extra-warm socks.
Spring is Chicago's least predictable season in terms of what to pack. A few teaser 70-degree days in March can have locals heading for the patios, but April and parts of May can be incredibly unpredictable with rain, hail, and even snow. In spring, pack a little bit of everything: long pants or skirts and shoes that can be worn with or without socks, tops that can be layered as needed, and a versatile jacket that can cozy up with a scarf if necessary. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What should I pack for a trip to Chicago?
Trying to pack for Chicago weather can be pretty unpredictable. The local weather forecasters sometimes call it "lake effect;" locals call it "annoying." But for the most part, Chicago's weather stays fairly true to seasons.
By the third weekend in June when the summer solstice comes around, Chicago is usually experiencing genuine warmth with long, balmy days, celebrated with al fresco dining. Short-sleeved shirts and tanktops, shorts and skirts (or sundresses), sandals and sunglasses are the uniform most locals wear from June through September, and you can usually skip a sweater or jacket at night, as our Midwestern nights are pleasant.
On cue in October, temperatures start shifting toward sweater weather. Jeans and long pants are best, as are close-toed shoes in case of rain. Later in autumn, nighttime temperatures can get downright cold, so bring a light coat and scarf.
And then there's winter. If you're visiting Chicago between the months of November and, say, March (sometimes even later than that), plan on dressing in layers topped with your warmest winter coat. Thanksgiving-time in Chicago can be pleasant -- think mid-40s with beautiful fall colors -- once we get into January and February, it's best to plan on full-on winter gear: hats, scarves and mittens.
Spring is probably Chicago's least predictable season in terms of what to wear. A few teaser 70-degree days in March can have locals heading for the patios, but April and parts of May can be incredibly unpredictable with rain, hail, and even snow. What to pack if you're visiting in spring? A little bit of everything: long pants or skirts and shoes that can be worn with socks or tights, tops that can be layered as needed, and a versatile jacket that can cozy up with a scarf if necessary. -
On April 19Lauren Viera answered the question:
What is Chicago's cultural makeup?
Chicago has a super-rich immigrant history that’s reflected in a diverse cross-section of neighborhoods, traditions, cuisines and cultural institutions. What’s incredible is how wide spread it is. Like many major American cities, there’s a large population of Irish-Catholics and Italian-Americans—in Chicago’s case, anchored to the city’s South Side and West Sides, respectively. But then up in the tip-top of the city’s North Side is a whole neighborhood built around Swedish culture, from traditional public art near the Swedish American Museum to cinnamon-roll perfectionists Ann Sather, serving the most incredible Swedish breakfast this side of the fjords.
Surprisingly, one of Chicago’s biggest subcultures is festively influenced by Mexico. The heart of the city’s Mexican-American population lies in the Pilsen neighborhood just southwest of downtown, anchored at 18th Street and Ashland Avenue, and also the Little Village neighborhood just southwest. Storefronts range from traditional mercados with butchers carving carnitas to sit-down restaurants serving specialties from each of Mexico’s many states. Chilaquiles are Chicago’s go-to Mexican breakfast specialty, and my favorite is served at La Casa del Pueblo in Pilsen. Next door is the 50-year-old grocery store of the same name, where celebrity chef Rick Bayless is known to shop for provisions.
The city is also known for its population of Eastern Europeans. On the Northwest side in neighborhoods like Belmont Gardens and Old Irving Park, signage is written just as often in Czech or Polish as it is in English. Traditional restaurants like the Red Apple have been serving pierogis and borsht for decades, and related cultural festivals come out of the woodwork during summertime.
Correspondent
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Lauren Viera is a Forbes Travel Guide correspondent who lives in Chicago and covers the city for Startle. Viera contributes articles on spirits, travel and lifestyle to Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Crain’s Chicago Business, Imbibe, MensJournal.com and others. She was a senior editor on the launch staff of Time Out Chicago, and was a staff writer on the travel desk of the Chicago Tribune. A native Californian, Viera has lived in Chicago for a decade and chronicles her love of horticulture and cocktail culture on her blog, The Glass & Garden.
