Saturday 27th January 2024 • Promotional Content


heads of megastars like Ben Affleck and Johnny Depp. Or for a purchase that goes down smooth, taste and take home a brew from the interna- tionally awarded KOVAL Distillery, Chicago’s first craft distillery since the mid-1800s.


Spa After all that walking and shopping, you may want to kick off those new Louboutins and relax. Tat’s where Chicago’s host of hotel spas come in. One of the top five-star hotels according to Forbes (2021), the Langham Chicago not only serves as a little taste of home with its London roots, but also offers a luxury Chuan Spa. But whether it’s a Chinese massage there, a seaweed wrap at the Waldorf Astoria, a Magnificent Mile Massage at the Four Seasons, or a swim with a view by the floor- to-ceiling windows at Te Peninsula Chicago, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind.


Nights out To start off your evening, try Pops for Champagne for light fare, including charcuterie and caviar, along with, as the name implies, over a hundred bottles of Champagne and sparkling wine on the menu. Ten it’s time for a real meal, like a


fillet from BLVD Steakhouse, inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard. Or try a tasting menu at Alinea,


another Chicago must-see


— or rather, must eat — that is regu- larly voted one of the best restaurants in the world. Feel like taking fine dining into own hands? Try a private


your


cooking class at Te Chopping Block. Te best part? You get to savour the fruits of your labour immediately. Adventurous eaters love the seafood at Truluck’s, and Gibson’s Steakhouse


Worldwide Travel Te Travel Guide 37


is a classic Chicago dining desti- nation for celebrities, tourists and locals alike. If you’re looking to relax after


dinner, there’s plenty to do. For stogie lovers, simply browsing at the Biggs Mansion Cigar Lounge is a luxurious experience. Or if you’re still buzzing with energy, sample some of Chicago’s most famous bars and upscale venues on Rush Street in the Gold Coast neighbourhood. For theatre-lovers, an after-dinner performance with Broadway in Chicago Suite Service provides not only a show, but a full private bar just as deserving of a standing ovation.


Culture Want an encore? Tere’s more amazing culture to be found all over the city. See a show at the Lyric Opera — where the theatre’s stunning combination of art nouveau and art deco architec- ture is as breathtaking as the perfor- mances. Or, for art-lovers, the Art Institute of Chicago, with paintings and sculptures by artists like Van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol. Now that you’ve experienced the


finer aspects of Chicago, extend the getaway to Galena, a village whose picturesque landscapes seem a world away from the city, even if it’s just a three-hour drive.


Once you arrive, try a wine tasting at


the Galena Cellars — a charming 1840s former farm granary building that produces 40 wine varieties, of which the Lawlor family will be honoured to help you find your new favourite.


Accommodation For presidential accommodations, look to Ulysses Suites, a historic, luxu- rious stay named after the United States’ 18th president. For nature lovers, the Mississippi River views at the Goldmoor Inn can’t be beaten. Or if a bed and breakfast is more your style, what better place to spend the night than jail? (Yes, really). For nearly 100 years, Jail Hill Inn was Galena’s jailhouse, but now it’s been voted the number-one B&B in the US (2019).


Dining Once you’ve eased into your accom- modations, you may be wondering… where’s lunch? At Vinny Vanucchi’s ‘Little Italy,’ choose from a mouthwatering menu


of made-from-scratch Italian dishes featuring recipes that have been handed down five generations. If a fun-filled day among the vine-


yards sounds more exciting, book a private shuttle with Galena Wine Tours. Te company will pick you up from wherever you’re staying, give you VIP access to Galena’s best wineries, and provide a luxurious tasting expe- rience, too. For


an elegant dinner, peruse


Goldmoor Inn’s seasonal menu while overlooking the Mississippi River, or simply walk Galena’s Main Street, browsing more than 125 independently


owned shops and


restaurants in original 19th-century buildings. While it certainly differs from Chicago, Galena’s shopping district is home to one-of-a-kind, bespoke artisan pieces that you can’t find anywhere else.


Plan your trip at EnjoyIllinois.co.uk


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