(more activities will be coming soon)
The optional Perfume Passage Soiree will feature a trip to the Sanfilippo estate including a tour of Perfume Passage, and dinner at the carousel pavillion. For a video of the Sanfilippo organ being played, to to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKCXDCOKOU0&list=RDUKCXDCOKOU0&start_radio=1. Webmaster Virginia Merrill’s favorite is “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”, which starts at 46:50.
Shopping Trip to Andersonville
Andersonville is a short 20-minute ride with some nice shops and great eateries. (Ask the driver to take Lakeshore Drive for a scenic tour). Andersonville is a laid-back area known for its 19th-century row houses, as well as charming antique shops, cafes and cool furniture stores along Clark Street, a popular commercial strip. The neighborhood’s Swedish heritage is evident in its quaint restaurants and bakeries. The Swedish American Museum features artifacts from local and continental immigrant communities.
The 2nd Street shop has great prices on designer purses and jewelry.
The Andersonville Galleria features hand crafted local arts, jewelry, and crafts.
A few perfume bottles were seen here at the Mercantile M antique store.
A Taste of Heaven has a great selection of pastries and cookies.
Lady Gregory has great food, reasonable prices, and nice atmosphere.
Chicago River Walk
The Chicago River Walk awaits you right outside our hotel. Take a walk for great exercise, or get a ride on one of the tour boats.
Andra Behrendt’s List of Pizza Places
An article in the Chicago Tribune in 1939 mentioned the only pizzeria in the city at the time. While we may never know if this was the first introduction of pizza to the Windy City, it’s certainly a possibility. Pizza’s mass appeal grew after WWII, perhaps due to the troops returning from Europe after eating pizza in Italy. Also, the invention of gas-fired pizza ovens played a pivotal role, making it much easier to prepare pizza than the traditional bread or wood-fired ovens used historically in Italy.
Fast forward several decades, and while thin-crust pizza remains a staple on menus, it’s the thick, deep-dish style that has become synonymous with Chicago. For many visitors to the city, trying deep-dish pizza is on their to-do list. Such a thick pizza requires a long time to bake, which puts the cheese at risk of burning. So instead of the typical layering style with crust, sauce, cheese and toppings, the cheese goes right onto the crust, then the toppings, and then the sauce goes on top. This way the crust can cook fully without the other ingredients burning.
To help you make the most of your culinary adventure, we’re sharing a list of some top pizzerias worth checking out while you’re in town, delivery is available!
- Pizzeria Uno (about 1 mile from hotel) 29 E Ohio St, Chicago
- Pizzeria Due (about 1 mile from hotel) 619 N Wabash Ave, Chicago
- Gino’s East (both about 1.5 miles from hotel) 162 E Superior Street, Chicago and 521 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago
- Lou Malnati’s (.5 miles from hotel) 439 North Wells Street, Chicago
- Bartoli’s Pizza (5 miles from hotel) 1955 W Addison St, Chicago
The Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is where you go in Chicago for events, free public programs, attractions, culture, dining, rides, games, shopping, tour options, and more. It’s where fun lives large, whether you’re a visitor or local, with family or friends. Check out the Navy Pier’s web page for first time visitors.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is known for its upscale shopping, diverse dining, and vibrant entertainment, featuring high-end boutiques, major retailers, and world-class restaurants alongside iconic landmarks and historic architecture like the Tribune Tower and Water Tower Place. This prestigious 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue offers a dynamic mix of luxury stores, cultural attractions, and cosmopolitan experiences that make it one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.
