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Guides for the Business Traveler
Chicago (2006)
4 hours in Chicago (2006)
Mary Beth Hubbard enjoys the view from the Chicago River, before working her way to the top of one of the Windy City’s tallest buildings, via some art, sculptures and the perfect slice of pizza.
 | Chicago from the Lake Chicago is home to the world's first skyscraper and is the self-proclaimed birthplace of modern architecture (as well as the Blues and the Ferris wheel). The downtown area of the city is known as the Loop, and the best way to see it is from the Chicago River. A 90-minute boat tour (with a knowledgeable and witty guide) takes you to the city's most famous buildings, which include the soaring Sears Tower and the Art Deco Chicago Board of Trade. An added bonus is the Starbucks coffee, lemonade and cookies which are included in the $27 ticket price. Tours depart hourly every day. You can choose from a historical or architectural tour and can book tickets at www.chicagoline.com. |  | The Art Institute of Chicago Whatever your artistic preferences, the Art Institute of Chicago is sure to satisfy. The extensive collection runs the gamut from Frank Lloyd Wright furniture to the most extensive Monet collection in the U.S. You would need a full day to explore the entire museum, but must-sees are Grant Wood's "American Gothic" and Picasso's "The Old Guitarist." It's open 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Friday; 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday; and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The entrance fee depends on your conscience, but the suggested donation is $12. |  | Millennium Park Although it arrived four years late, Millennium Park transformed a rundown corner of Grant Park into the city's favorite new hangout, making it well worth the wait. Attractions include the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Gehry's pedestrian bridge, a 16,000-square-foot ice-skating rink and Anish Kapoor's oversized, reflective jelly-bean sculpture, plus two 50-foot high glass towers projecting magnified faces of Chicago natives behind cascading water. |  | Gino’s East While there is no shortage of fine dining in Chicago, you can't visit the home of the deep-pan pizza and not have a slice or two. Gino's East (on Wells and Ontario) claims it baked the first deep-pan 30 years ago, and the chunky sauce, buttery crust and layers of cheese continue to keep Chicagoans coming back for more. In 2000, the restaurant relocated to a larger space, though they kept the original graffiti-covered booths. Pizzas range from $11 to $30. |  | Marshall Field’s At the north end of the Magnificent Mile shopping district, you'll find Marshall Field's, the ultimate one-stop shopping experience. With gurgling fountains, sleek glass elevators and Corinthian columns that lead eight stories up to a 6,000-square-foot mosaic dome, this is not your typical department store. The original Marshall Field's dates back to 1892, though it has expanded considerably and now boasts high-end shopping delights such as Coach, Armani and Kenneth Cole. Ideal for the busy traveler who needs convenience, this is the place to pick up a bottle of Pinot Noir, a new Thomas Pink shirt and your favorite cologne, all in one go. |  | The Signature Lounge Expect to find a long line of couples, businessmen and tourists waiting to climb 1,000 feet up to the dark and smoky Signature Lounge. Once you reach level 96 of the John Hancock Building on North Michigan Avenue, you are rewarded with amazing views of Lake Michigan, downtown and beyond. Cocktails are pricey, but the elegant atmosphere and bird's-eye view are unbeatable. There is no entrance fee but you are expected to buy at least one drink. It's open until 12:30 a.m. Sunday Thursday and 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. |
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