Top Chicagoland attractions

Easily accessible both by ‘L’ Train and on foot, one could explore the attractions of the Windy City within a 10-mile radius. Village of Rosemont, Ill., residents and delegates at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center can travel into the city within one hour taking the Blue Line of the L Train into the “Chicago Loop,” where a majority of major attractions are only minutes away.

Downtown Chicago venues and attractions from Rosemont CTA Station:

1. John Hancock Observatory sits high in the sky at 17,371 square feet. Offering views of Lake Michigan from both its Signature Room restaurant and Signature Lounge at the 95th floor, visitors can see four states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin – on a crisp, clear day. As the tallest public, open-air viewing deck in the Midwest, the John Hancock Observatory also boasts the fastest elevator in North America, traveling 1,800 feet per minute.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Washington, transfer to Red Line towards Howard at Lake to Chicago
• Walk east on Chicago Avenue, then north on Michigan Avenue (approx. 7 mins.)

2. Stretching 13 blocks, Magnificent Mile features over 460 retail stores, 275 restaurants and 60 hotels and attractions along Michigan Avenue. Shopping till you drop, “Mag Mile” includes stores such as AllSaints, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss as well as the flagship American Girl Place and The LEGO Store for younger visitors. Developed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, tourists can stroll along the nearby Chicago Riverwalk.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Washington, transfer to Red Line towards Howard at Lake to Chicago
• Walk east on Chicago Avenue, then south on Michigan Avenue (approx. 7 mins.)

  

3. Attracting 8.6 million visitors annually, the iconic 15-story Ferris wheel at Navy Pier exemplifies why it is the No. 1 tourist and leisure destination in the Midwest. With 170,100 square feet of exhibition space and a tented rooftop, Navy Pier is also an attractive alternative for events and meetings overlooking Lake Michigan.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Washington, transfer to Red Line towards Howard at Lake to Grand
• Walk east on Grand Avenue (approx. 20 mins.)

4. A sweet and savory concoction, the Chicago Mix at Garrett’s Popcorn Shops features CheddarCorn and CaramelCrisp handcrafted gourmet kettle popcorn. Open since 1949, the irresistible flavors are also popular as corporate and wedding gifts. Several locations with one at Navy Pier.

5. The masterpiece of British artist Anish Kapoor, Cloud Gate at Millennium Park is better known as “The Bean.” Made of stainless steel plates, the skyline of the Windy City can be seen in its reflection. Visitors walk through the “gate” created by a 12-foot concave arch just beneath the structure, giving it its unique shape and beloved nickname.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Clark/Lake, transfer to Green Line towards Ashland to Randolph/Wabash (by Macy’s)
• Walk east on Randolph Street (approx. 5 mins.)

6. For those who dare to stand on a ledge 103 floors above the ground, SkyDeck at Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower, offers an awe-inspiring view of the entire city. Featuring four glass boxes that extend 4.3 feet from the skyscraper, visitors are practically floating in the air at the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Clark/Lake, transfer to Pink Line towards 54/Cermak to Quincy/Wells
• Walk south on Wells Street, then west on Jackson Boulevard (approx. 2 mins.)

7. Famous for deep dish pizzas, the city serves up none better than at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Able to ship to anywhere in the U.S., the family-owned franchise freshly prepares Chicago-style pizza from scratch with local mozzarella cheese and California vine-ripened tomatoes.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park to LaSalle
• Walk east on Congress Parkway, then south on State Street (approx. 10 mins.)

8. A 57-acre museum park along the lakefront, the Museum Campus includes four major attractions. The world’s largest indoor aquarium, Shedd Aquarium is filled with 32,500 animals and seawater from Florida. Adler Planetarium, designed by a former NASA astronaut, opened at the World’s Fair in 1933. The museum contains astronomical artifacts and a telescope made by William Herschel. Originally created for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1889, the Field Museum of Natural History was later relocated to be part of the Museum Campus. Soldier Field is a “stadium in a park,” serving as home base for the Chicago Bears, and also offers indoor and outdoor spaces that are used approximately 200 days of the year for meetings and events.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Clark/Lake, transfer to Orange Line towards Midway to Roosevelt
• Walk east on Roosevelt Road, then south on Lake Shore Drive (approx. 7 mins.)

9. Topping the list at 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the U.S. With the Hyatt Regency as the only hotel connected to the facility, sky bridges and pedestrian promenades provide easy access for delegates. The North, South and West Buildings, and Lakeside Center attract 3 million per year to the lakeside facility.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Jackson, transfer to Red Line towards 95th to Cermak-Chinatown
• Walk east on Cermak (approx. 8-10 mins.)

10. Located on the near South Side, Chicago’s Chinatown is mere minutes away from McCormick Place. More than 68,000 Chinese in the area makes it the second largest Chinatown in the U.S. The commercial center is surrounded by 12 bronze figures representing the Chinese zodiac while Ping Tom Memorial Park, named for its most prominent civic leader, features a 12-acre park along the Chicago River.

• Blue Line towards Forest Park
• At Jackson, transfer to Red Line towards 95th to Cermak-Chinatown
• Walk south on Wentworth Avenue, then west on 23rd Street (approx. 6 mins.)