Four years ago, Estelle from Rather Be Reading started the BEA Part of It series — a little guide for everyone who was travelling to NYC for BEA. Her plan was to share her home with everyone who was visiting and point out favorite spots, provide ideas for places to go, and recommend things to do. With BEA happening in our neighborhood this year – Chicago has so much to offer in the way of sights to see, food to eat and things to do, so with the help of some fellow bloggers, we’re here to share some of the best Chicago has to offer!
Today we’re going to start out by highlighting some of the things we’re most looking forward to while we’re in Chicago
Chicago is an amazing city, and just like while we’re in NYC, we want to make the effort to get out and see all the things. While this week is mostly about books, you can’t just go to a city and not see everything it has to offer. Erin and I are pretty close to Chicago so we get to experience all the things it has to offer on a pretty regular basis, our blogging besties, Kass & Meg aren’t here quite as often… in fact, I think this is Kass’s first trip, so we want her to experience all the things!
Sights To See
Hancock Building/360 Chicago – Formerly known as the John Hancock Observatory, 360 Chicago offers dining, sights and an interactive tour far above the city streets. From 1,000 feet up on the 94th floor, you can see up to 55 miles out and four states—you’ll feel as if you’re along for the ride as you watch airplanes whiz by. A recent addition is the Tilt attraction, which allows visitors to step onto an enclosed platform that extends from the building at a 30-degree angle.
The Bean/Millenium Park – This 24.5-acre park features Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion and serpentine bridge; sculptor Anish Kapoor’s 110-ton Cloud Gate (a.k.a. “The Bean”); and Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, with its ever-changing array of locals’ faces spewing water very five minutes in the summer months. The Lurie Garden has year-round flower displays and monthly garden walks.
Navy Pier – This tourist hot spot features shops, eateries, an IMAX cinema and a bevy of sightseeing boat tours. Pier Park is home to a 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, plus an old-fashioned swing ride and 18-hole mini-golf course—great for tourists or an afternoon of people-watching.
Grant Park – Spanning 319 acres of lakefront property, Chicago’s “front yard” is filled with notable landmarks like the Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute and Museum Campus.
Willis Tower Skydeck – The second-tallest building in the country, Skydeck views from the 103rd floor allow you to see as far as 50 miles out, and its newest feature, the Ledge, allows you to crawl into a glass cube structure suspended 1,353 feet off the ground.
Food To Eat/Clubs
The Bongo Room – Pancakes to die for… We try to go here every time we’re in the city!
Giordano’s /Lou Malnati’s – Pizza Pizza Pizza – if you don’t go have a slice of deep dish while you’re in town, I can’t be friends with you!
Garrett’s – They seriously have the best cheese popcorn (among other kinds) but if you’re in town you at least have to stop in and buy a bag!
Portillo’s – Hot dogs… Italian Beef… and chocolate cake. I mean they have a ton of other stuff, but those are the things you’re going to need to try if you stop here!
Daley’s Restaurant – This no-frills soul food diner is a south side institution and technically the second-oldest restaurant in Chicago, which opened in 1892. Breakfast is served all day, while the dinner menu includes fried chicken, wings, grits, greens, and red pepper vinegar on every table. 
The Green Door Tavern – Green Door Tavern is on a short list of the most historic restaurants and bars in Chicago, as the building dates back to 1871 and has been a restaurant since 1921. Definitely go check it out!
Jim’s Original Hotdog – This is the 24-hour self-proclaimed home of Chicago’s “original” Polish sausage sandwich. Jim’s Original boasts the longest continuously operating hot dog stand to once be in business on Maxwell Street. The Polish and dog are can’t-miss, but the pork chop sandwich is also a Chicago classic.
Green Mill – Al Capone and other gangsters used to hang here in the 1920s, but these days it’s all about the music. The club has returned to its original luster. Come early, as it’s usually busy.
Places To Visit
Michigan Ave – Even if shopping isn’t your thing, you’ll want to at least walk down this iconic street and check out everything there.
Wrigley Field – Even when baseball’s not in season, there’s plenty to do at this legendary stadium, erected in 1914 and reinvigorated by an ownership change in 2009.
Chicago Riverwalk – If you’re looking for breathtaking views of some of Chicago’s most gorgeous architecture, take a stroll along the Riverwalk. Public walkways and seating areas offers access to boat tours and water taxis as well as waterfront cafes and restaurants.
Chicago Cultural Center – Since being converted to the Cultural Center in 1991 (it used to be the Chicago Public Library), this city-block-wide institution now offers free classical concerts.
Music Box – For movie lovers who don’t care for traditional Hollywood blockbusters there’s no better theater than the Music Box, a two-screen cinema that shows the latest art house films and documentaries. The theater’s gorgeous, main theater regularly hosts director Q&A’s as well as weekly midnight screenings of cult classics.
Donuts – I know some of you are donut aficionados, so here are all the amazing places you’ll need to check out!
Something Sweet Donuts
Glazed and Infused
Donut Vault
Bombo Bar
Firecakes
Bunny, The Microbakery
Do-Rite Donuts
I know there is a ton of information here, but there really is so much to see and do in Chicago. While I don’t live in the city… or Illinois for that matter, we spend a lot of time there, and these are the places we recommend! While McCormick Place, where BEA is going to be, is kind of situated a bit away from everything, these are places that are all within a quick cab ride and worth the time it takes to get there.
Now make sure you check out Katie & Kylie from The Polished Page Turners, Heidi from YA Bibliophile, and Brittany from Book Addicts Guide for their Chicago-themed posts that will be going up the weeks before BEA!
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