Sitting on a sandy beach, with a yacht-dotted Lake Michigan on one side and a sunset framed by glittering skyscrapers on the other, it’s hard to imagine wanting to be anywhere but the “Second City.”
As locals we may be a bit biased, but there is a reason Mr. Harper chose to locate the Travel Office in Chicago, his favorite U.S. city. In the summer and autumn, pedestrian-friendly Chicago can be absolutely glorious. An unbroken string of lakeside parks stretches from the far north side of the city down to the far south, punctuated by marinas, fountains, bike paths, lagoons and beaches. In Millennium Park just east of downtown, a futuristic Frank Gehry-designed band shell hosts outdoor concerts throughout the summer, providing a perfect excuse to spread out a picnic and uncork a crisp rosé.
Just to the south, the famed Art Institute of Chicago houses arguably the best Impressionist collection outside of France, but its new wing designed by Renzo Piano steals the show with its airy galleries and top-notch contemporary works. After viewing the Art Institute’s special exhibition on the strikingly organic buildings of Louis Sullivan, architecture and history fans should consider an Architectural Boat Tour. Hosted by impressively knowledgeable and entertaining docents, these hour-long cruises up the Chicago River introduce visitors to some of the city’s beautifully preserved architectural heritage.
Gourmands used to associating Chicago with hot dogs and deep-dish pizza may be surprised to find that the city has a constellation of Michelin stars: Grant Achatz’s renowned Alinea (1723 N. Halsted, 312-867-0110) presents wildly creative cuisine on par with the now-shuttered elBulli, and 42 grams (4662 N. Broadway, no phone), a BYOB restaurant which started as an underground dinner party, recently earned two Michelin stars. Culinary bastions such as Everest (440 S. LaSalle, 40th Flr., 312-663-8920) and Les Nomades (222 E. Ontario, 312-649-9010) serve more traditional delights, and casually stylish options like Bohemian House (11 W. Illinois St., 312-955-0439) can be an excellent value.
Three world-class luxury hotels are members of the Harper Alliance. The Four Seasons and The Peninsula stand steps from the world-class shopping of the Magnificent Mile, and The Langham has a fine riverfront location near the Loop and many of Chicago’s best restaurants. Because of our close relationship with these elegant properties, Harper members receive a upgrade at the time of booking or at check-in (based on availability), as well as several other enticing benefits.
An original version of this post was published September 2011. Updated: September 2015.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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