Destination: Chicago, IL

My Trip:

Chicago Travelogue

Latest trip-August 2006

Just got back from the windy city, Chicago, Illinois! I was there for a trade show (not for a "formal vacation") but as you know I do like to make the most out of every trip so I did manage to squeeze in some "tourist time". Before we get to specifics, the weather was perfect! The temperature was a mild 75 degrees every day I was there!

Okay, I took a ninety minute flight from New York, NY and stayed at the Swiss Hotel . BTW, did you know this is the only Swiss Hotel property in North America ? My friend Steve looked it up. The best feature of this hotel was its location. It was right on the river in the heart of the loop. I could walk to just about every downtown tourist spot including the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower . The hotel itself was pretty standard in terms of accommodations, although I found out if I wanted to use the health club, it was going to cost me an extra ten bucks! But it was okay because I did a little extra walking instead.

Friends of mine visited the Shedd Aquarium (also within walking distance of the hotel) and reported the ticket lines were a little long but it was worth it! Of course we can expect longer lines at major attractions on a weekend in August. I spent a little time strolling down the Magnificent Mile and I was reminded of NYC's 5 th Ave. One of the cool differences I enjoyed (besides the boutiques) were the department stores. If shopping is on your list, don't miss Chicago 's Magnificent Mile. Because it was close to the hotel, I also spent about an hour at Navy Pier and the walk worked off some of the red meat. This is a great place to take the kids, so be sure to spend an afternoon there.

Chicago is a great theatre town but I only had time to take in the latest show at Second City . This is a legendary Improv and sketch company and the history on the walls is even funny! If you have never been to a live sketch show, you must attend Second City in Chicago .

Gino's East - Crayons and a cool placemat keeps the kids happy!

For food, well where do I begin? First, Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza and my friends and I decided to partake in a pan a Gino's East . The place was awesome and all the food was perfect. Be warned, the deep dish take 45 minutes from scratch so budget your time accordingly. The Palm was the place I had an ENORMOUS prime rib. It was so huge, I couldn't finish it. We did have time for a dinner at Morton's of Chicago and this place was outstanding! I think I liked it better than the location in New York . The staff was knowledgeable and red meat was out of this world. Be sure to have the Blue Cheese salad dressing...and the Cajun Rib Eye! If you are looking for a quaint Italian spot, my brother Gary and I stopped by Rosebud on Rush Street . We sat outside and ordered the Tortellini Carbonara...outstanding!

When it was all said and done, it turned out to be a fantastic business trip to Chicago, Illinois!

Chicago is a wonderful place for a vacation. Listen to our exclusive interview with Sally Davis, Manager for the Central Loop Hotel.

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Erik Hastings

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