Chicago
Reasons to Return
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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MAGNIFICENT MILE. What started as a small Wisconsin-made doll company has evolved into a large-scale phenomenon among young girls and their mothers. Shop for the dolls and their intricate clothing lines, dine in the café, style your doll's hair, attend a photo shoot with her, and top off the day with a theater show. Visit the website to see the numerous family packages available.
LINCOLN PARK. Equipped for both luxury and business, this esteemed guest house revels in attention to detail and the anticipation of guest needs. The sophisticated home includes main floor, top floor, and garden units, and each self-contained space features kitchen and office space tricked out with the latest appliances and technology. And lest you want anything, supplies from office stationery to aromatherapy oils to breakfast foods are provided. In addition, the calm, tree-lined neighborhood features top cafes, bars, an incredible park, and a free-admittance zoo.
WICKER PARK. The Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods are giving the Magnificent Mile a run for its money. Among the hip boutiques lining the streets is Gamma Player. Opened by Jeff Mills and his wife, Yoko Uozumi, you'll find original fashion wear from all over Europe. Mills, a famous DJ and producer, spins in clubs from Paris to Tokyo, so you can bet he has an eye for the hippest fashions, which he brings to his debut boutique. Be sure to visit for a unique experience.
GOLD COAST. Never has grocery shopping been as much fun as at this local favorite. You'll find unique specialty goods such as handmade chocolates, a wide range of specialty cheeses, and fresh meats. Holiday packages are a real treat, especially for Easter, Passover, Jewish New Year, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If holidays aren't your thing, have Goddess & Grocer pack your picnic bag, and then head to one of the city's parks to enjoy.
UPTOWN. Green Mill has been a Chicago hotspot since the era of the true, gritty mafia. Al Capone's spirit is said to lurk here in America's oldest jazz lounge. The place has also hosted guests such as Franz Jackson and Wilbur Campel. No matter the artist, good and soulful jazz is a guarantee. Let the intimate setting draw you in and the vintage vibe keep you there. Sip cocktails like the cool cats did in their day, and while you're at it, meet the locals and ask for mafia stories; you'll hear a different one each time.
LONG GROVE. Located about 30 minutes north of the city, this charming little town is completely worth the detour. Cobblestone streets lead to charming rows of houses-turned-boutiques that cause you to forget about the ubiquitous places created by corporate America. Delicious eateries adorned with antiques offer everything from fine dining to specialty chocolates to artisan oils. Have a drink in an English-inspired pub to rest your feet after a day of shopping. The Christmas season in Long Grove is particularly delightful and features Old World-style carolers.
HIGHLAND PARK. The Ravinia Festival has been a favorite occasion for music concerts for a century now! It hosts famous act after famous act, and more than 100 events take place from June through September, including classical, pop, jazz, music theater, dance, world, and kids programming. Locals know to go for the grass seats and to pack an oversized picnic. Seated tickets for big events sell out quickly, but the grassy knoll is almost more welcoming, come rain or shine.
MAGNIFICENT MILE. If you haven't wined or dined at The Signature Room yet, your next trip will undoubtedly have to include this Chicago landmark. The high-stepping destination is a place not only to see and be seen but also to take in the beauty of the city with a 360-degree bird's eye view. Nurse a martini and laugh over the fact that you didn't make it to the Sears Tower. The menu features traditional American cuisine.
WRIGLEYVILLE. House music was born in this city, and since its creation, it has spread throughout the world. Sure, Chicago has plenty of incredible nightclubs, and they open almost as frequently as the latest restaurant-du-jour, but one club has steadily remained a local favorite: Smart Bar. Here, you won't find the latest crowd of plastic people but instead, patrons who arrive solely for the house music that originated here in the early '80s, courtesy of a man named Frankie Knuckles.
DOWNTOWN. Loading up a summer calendar full of incredible talent from around the globe, World Music Festival isn't only just fun – it's free! Do it like the locals and pack an over-the-top picnic, grab a soft blanket, and arrive early. Each show highlights a different band from around the world, from Italian drummers and Brazilian samba groups to DJs from India. As your train departs the station or your plane leaves the ground, have you ever wanted just a little more time? One more day to explore further or to visit a place you didn't get wind of until the last minute? We'll let you know what's worth returning for, be it a little-known museum, a rambunctious dance club, or a peaceful garden. That way, you can avoid having to say, "Next time..."
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As your train departs the station or your plane leaves the ground, have you ever wanted just a little more time? One more day to explore further or to visit a place you didn't get wind of until the last minute? We'll let you know what's worth returning for, be it a little-known museum, a rambunctious dance club, or a peaceful garden. That way, you can avoid having to say, "Next time..."
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