September/October 2024


At the lakefront, Grant Park’s grand boulevards and landscaped lawns make it a must-see. Just Daley


north, Park,


Maggie is


www.nitravelnews.com a whimsical 20-acre green


space, complete with its own mini- lighthouse, a life-sized ship, two climbing walls, a skating ribbon, picnic spaces, tennis courts, and more.


Millennium Park is an architectural


and art-filled jewel, thanks to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (aka “The Bean”), the interactive Crown Fountain, and the soaring beauty of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, where you’ll find free summer concerts and movies. On the north side, scenic Lincoln Park is home to two popular attractions: Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory. You’ll also find Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, a tranquil oasis filled with prairie plantings and birdsong.


Stroll down The Magnificent Mile The


13-block stretch of Michigan


Avenue, dubbed The Magnificent Mile (or Mag Mile as the locals call it), is home to hundreds of stores, from high- end designers (Burberry, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Chanel), to major brands (Banana Republic, Disney Store, Nike) to renowned department


stores Macy’s, Nordstrom).


Don’t know where to start? Head to retail centres like Water Tower Place, The Shops at North Bridge, and 900 N. Michigan Ave. for all the chicest shops in one place.


Take a shopping break at the area’s popular attractions, like the free art gallery inside the Historic Water Tower, Lookingglass Theatre,


the renowned


Museum of Contemporary Art, the opulent Driehaus Museum, and sky-high observation deck 360 CHICAGO. Or stop off for afternoon tea at the Drake Hotel, a posh lunch at RL, an artful bite at elevated museum cafe Marisol. Stay up for non-stop nightlife Keep the party going all night long at Chicago’s famous bars and clubs. Go classy with craft cocktails at some of the city’s most celebrated bars, like tiki- inspired Three Dots and a Dash, Art Deco- style Celeste, modern and semi-hidden speakeasy The Violet Hour, and local distilleries CH Distillery and KOVAL.


You can also enjoy a glass at swanky wine bars, share a toast to a local team at a neighbourhood sports bar, and dance the night away at trendy clubs and music venues (tip: head to Spybar to hear house music in the city where it was born). For drinks with a view, there’s no shortage of rooftop bars. Try NoMI Lounge on The Magnificent Mile, hip ROOF at theWit Hotel, and the flashy Cerise rooftop at Virgin Hotel Chicago. Hear Chicago’s rich musical legacy Music emanates from every corner of the city. Chicago’s history is steeped in jazz and blues, with noteworthy venues like Buddy Guy’s Legends, Kingston Mines, and GreenMill Jazz Club (founded in 1907), on every music-lover›s wish list. Not to mention free music festivals the annual Jazz Festival (August/September), Blues Festival (early June), and World Music Festival (September) that draw hundreds of thousands to Chicago each year.


Other popular venues adding to the music landscape include Thalia Hall, a Pilsen landmark and indie haven, house- turned-mini-concert-venue The Hideout, and The Promontory, home to jazz, R&B, folk rock, soul, and more in Hyde Park. Head outside to Millennium Park for lunchtime and evening performances at the nation’s only free outdoor classical music series, Grant Park Music Festival (June-August).


The Millennium Park (Bloomingdale’s,


Music Series draws eclectic crowds for its alfresco summer shows — also free! — which showcase electronica, indie rock, and jazz in Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Mega fests Lollapalooza (August) and Pitchfork (July) have been going strong in Chicago for more than a decade. And


Impressionist collection outside Paris. Meanwhile, the Museum of Contemporary Art stages cutting-edge


showcasing works from David Bowie to Virgil Abloh. Nearby,


exhibitions,


Chicago’s Museum Campus brings an impressive trifecta of attractions to the lakefront: Field Museum, home to the largest creature to ever walk to earth, the Shedd Aquarium with thousands of rare and local sea creatures, and the Adler Planetarium, where visitors go on a journey through space and time. Also on the lake, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the biggest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Step inside a tornado, walk aboard a U-boat, dive into a beyond.


coal mine, and Choose Chicago variety


There’s of


also a rich cultural museums, historic


homes and districts, art galleries, and more to explore all around Chicago. Experience fearless Chicago theatre a building with a sign on it


Theatre is the fearless soul of Chicago. It’s home to more than 200 stages, including five regional Tony Award- winning theatres (Chicago Shakespeare Theater,


Lookingglass Theatre Company, Court Theatre,


The Goodman Theatre, and Steppenwolf Theater


Company Theater) — more than any other city in the country. And with blockbuster hits from Broadway in Chicago, acclaimed touring productions, cutting-edge works from storefront theatres, there’s truly a show for everyone.


For an evening of laughs, turn to the comedy masters at The Second City or the iO Theater, watch stand-up at Zanies Comedy Club, or grab your poncho for an immersive evening with the Blue Man Group.


And if you’re in the mood for something a little different, head to Chicago’s innovative storefront theatres, including A Red Orchid Theatre, Walkabout Theater Company, Chopin Theatre, and The Storefront Theatre.


Plan your trip around Chicago Theatre


the annual Chosen Few Picnic & Music Festival (July) honours the Chicago-born genre.


Hit up festivals and outdoor events a large body of water with a rainbow in the sky


Chicago is a city that celebrates everything from fine art to fringe theatre, craft beer to cultural heritage — and there’s no better way to celebrate than with an epic outdoor festival. From spring to fall, neighbourhood street fests take over city blocks every weekend. Bring your appetite, especially if you’re going to the Roscoe Village Burger Fest, Windy City Smokeout, Taste of Chicago, or Chicago Gourmet. Salsa and swing through Chicago SummerDance,


the largest annual


outdoor dance series in the United States. Or scan the sky for jets at the oldest and largest free air exhibition of its kind, the Chicago Air and Water Show. Explore


new museums


Museum of Contemporary Art The expansive Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country, is a must for art lovers. Its permanent collection features more than 300,000 works, including the largest


worlds at Chicago


Week (February) to see top shows at discounted prices. Choose from more than 120 productions and sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings in Chicago.


Explore the diverse neighbourhoods Explore Chicago’s welcoming neighbourhoods


The heart and soul of Chicago lives in its many vibrant neighbourhoods. The city’s 77 distinct communities showcase their own flavours, customs, festivals, and attractions. From the diverse, family- friendly


Edgewater, to the historic


cultural institutions of Hyde Park, and the Mexican-influenced Pilsen, there’s an abundance of unique neighbourhoods to explore. Chicago is a melting pot of hundreds of different ethnicities and cultures. Enjoy the cultural scene in traditionally Irish- American Bridgeport; explore the shops, restaurants, and bars of LGBTQ-friendly Northalsted (also known as Boystown) and Swedish-influenced Andersonville; delve


into Chicago’s rich African


American history in Bronzeville; browse the Chinese and Vietnamese shops on Argyle Street in Uptown; or grab samosas and try on a sari in “Little India” on Devon Avenue in Rogers Park. More information can be found at www. choosechicago.com


Sports-fever has gripped the world this summer, following an action-packed season of heroic moments from the Paris Olympics 2024 to Copa America in Florida and the U.S. Open. The spotlight is firmly on the USA, where an impressive lineup of sporting tournaments will be taking centre stage from the FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl LIX and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. We have highlighted destinations that offer a sporty adventure, whether you’re more cheerleader or athlete.


Baseball, America’s favourite


pastime in Chicago, Illinois Lucky enough to have two Major League Baseball teams who’ve each claimed the World Series Championship three times, a trip to Chicago is not complete without a day out to the ballgame. Home to the second oldest ballpark in U.S. baseball, a visit to Wrigley Field is a must for any ‘round ball’ fan in the Windy City. From March to September, catch the Chicago Cubs in action, or take a stadium tour for an exclusive look behind the scenes. No trip to this city is complete without sampling deep-dish pizza. Pequod’s Pizza is beloved by locals and claims to serve the best in the city. A classic game-day delicacy, sample the famed Chicago-Dog at Portillo’s and look for tomato slices, relish, onions, mustard and a pickle spear on a poppy-seed bun. After the ninth inning, discover the sounds of the city - the home of house music - there is plenty to find for aficionados or tune in to live music at Rosa’s Lounge, a Chicago-style Blues haven for over 40 years.


Pristine peaks and five-star


aprés ski in Park City, Utah Hailed as having the greatest snow on


Earth, Utah is a haven for both winter sports veterans and novices alike. Within just one hour of Salt Lake City, there are 10 first-class ski resorts that make the region the ultimate destination for a luxury ski break. The majority of Utah’s ski resorts can be found in Park City, a charming old mining town whose main street is packed full of high- end restaurants and local bars. After a long day on the slopes, head to the legendary No Name Saloon, one of the oldest businesses on main street, and a favourite spot amongst the Sundance Film Festival crowd that arrives in Park City every January. Not far from downtown, visitors can experience Park City Mountain Resort, one of the city’s two mammoth options, claiming the largest amount of terrain of any resort in the U.S.. The second is the Montage Deer Valley which is known for its world-class service and exclusive ski- in, ski-out access. For a five-star aprés ski experience against the backdrop of white-topped peaks, skiers can dine at Apex Montage offering exceptional steaks, artisanal ingredients and the chance to dine amongst the crisp Utah mountain air.


GO WEST... USA! | 65


ONE FOR THE SPORTS FANS...


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