| check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm. dating from 1928, this swanky, high-rise hotel is a 4-minute walk from skydeck chicago in the willis tower, and a mile from the sprawling greenery of millennium park. room service is available. chic rooms feature glass desks, flat-screen tvs and ipod docks, plus minibars and wi-fi (fee). there's also a business center. upgraded rooms add living rooms, city views and/or whirlpool tubs. amenities include a contemporary restaurant serving classic american dishes with a regional twist, plus a stylish bar and a 24/7 gym
O'Hare International Airport 25 min
The Art Institute of Chicago (9 min)
Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries. Field Museum (9 min)
State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. Chicago Cultural Center (11 min)
Free art & shows in an 1897 Beaux-Arts building with vaulted lobby, mosaics & 2 stained-glass domes. Lincoln Park Zoo (13 min)
Small, free zoo with lions, primates, reptiles, a children's area & an interactive farm exhibit. Skydeck Chicago (3 min)
103rd floor of the former Sears Tower with clear observation boxes & views extending to four states. Cloud Gate (12 min)
Huge outdoor sculpture shaped like a bean & allowing for views from its many mirrored sides. Shedd Aquarium (12 min)
State-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan. Buckingham Fountain (13 min)
Among the world’s largest, Grant Park’s 3-level rococo fountain (1927) offers light & water shows. Grant Park (8 min)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions. Navy Pier (10 min)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks. Chicago Riverwalk (8 min)
Riverside pedestrian path featuring city views & dining, plus bridges, fishing piers & boat docks. Crown Fountain (11 min)
Public sculpture with a pair of 50-ft. LED towers & a reflecting pool, by Jaume Plensa, a Catalan. Adler Planetarium (13 min)
Interactive exhibits & high-tech sky shows entertain stargazers, lakefront views are a bonus. 875 North Michigan Avenue (10 min)
Skyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink. Millennium Park (12 min)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective Bean sculpture & an outdoor theater. | 
