Artwork by Lisa De Young Jastram ('74)
(See: Reunion Events & Pricing)
Because the Windy City is so vibrant and varied, we’ve allowed lots of time Saturday afternoon for your self-organized city sightseeing. Here is our list of popular Chicago attractions to enjoy individually or with a self-organized group of schoolmates. The destinations come with the recommendations of your Chicago host (thank you, Susan Schlegel ’74!) and reunion organizers. But feel free to organize your afternoon hours however you wish!
Chicago once again tops ‘Condé Nast Traveler’s’ Readers’ Choice Awards for ‘Best Big City in the U.S.’ for the 8th year in a row!
Downtown Chicago Transit Map [PDF]
Jump Ahead To:
Chicago Landmarks | Chicago Museums & Galleries | Notable Restaurants | Japanese Restaurants
Live Music Clubs | Sporting Events | TV Originals
(Listed parenthetically is the calculated distance from LondonHouse to each destination.)
Chicago Landmarks | Chicago Museums & Galleries | Notable Restaurants | Japanese Restaurants
Live Music Clubs | Sporting Events | TV Originals
(Listed parenthetically is the calculated distance from LondonHouse to each destination.)
Highly Recommended
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise (0.1 miles)
Voted the #1 boat tour in the United States by USA Today readers in 2024, as well as Chicago Reader’s Best Tour for over 10 years!
Led by the Chicago Architecture Center’s expertly trained docent volunteers, this 90-minute cruise reveals fascinating stories behind Chicago’s majestic buildings in a way no other tour can.
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Chicago Mahogany Tours
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Guided tours dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Chicago’s rich history and culture, highlighting Chicago’s people, architecture, and impact on the world.
Chicago Architecture Center “Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park” Walking Tour
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Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. View the exteriors of nearly a dozen of Wright’s structures during this one-hour walking tour.
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More Chicago Architecture Center Tours
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Rated as the best tours in Chicago. CAC’s expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind Chicago’s historic buildings and neighborhoods.
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Chicago Landmarks
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River Walk (0.2 miles)
Millennium Park (0.3 miles)
Buckingham Fountain (0.8 miles)
Willis Tower (1 mile)
Navy Pier (1.1 miles)
Chess Records (2.5 miles) [Review: Chicago Sun-Times]
Historic Pullman District (15 miles)
Chicago Museums & Galleries
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Art Institute of Chicago (0.6 miles)
Museum of Contemporary Art (0.7 miles)
National Museum of Mexican Art (3.5 miles)
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (5 miles)
Museum of Science and Industry (8 miles)
Notable Chicago Restaurants
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= Michelin Star Rating
= Michelin Bib Gourmand
Fulton Market District (1.6 miles)
The Fulton Market District has a disorienting number of great places to get food, and it’s hard to not just list every restaurant in the area — from casual ramen shops (see below, under “Noted Japanese Restaurants”) to fine dining, including these highly-regarded eateries:
Time Out Market Chicago (1.6 miles) [$-$$$ 18 Different Eateries]
Girl & The Goat (1.6 miles) [$$$ Contemporary] [Review: Open Table]
Rose Mary (1.7 miles) [$$$ Croatian] [Review: The Infatuation]
Other Notable Chicago Restaurants
The Purple Pig (0.4 miles) {$$ Mediterranean] [Review: Michelin Guide]
Frontera Grill (0.9 miles) [$$ Mexican] [Review: Michelin Guide]
Avec (1.5 miles) [$$ Mediterranean] [Review: Michelin Guide]
Maxwells Trading (2.5 miles) [$$$ Contemporary American] [Review: The New Chicagoan]
HaiSous (3.5 miles) [$$ Vietnamese] [Review: Michelin Guide]
Kasama (3.5 miles) [$$$$ Filipino] [Review: Eater Chicago]
Tortello Pastificio (3.5 miles) [$$ Italian-Regional] [Review: The Infatuation]
The Duck Inn (4 miles) [$$ Gastropub] [Review: Condé Nast Traveler]
Dear Margaret (5.5 miles) [$$ French-Canadian] [Review: Michelin Guide]
Noted Japanese Restaurants
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= Michelin Star Rating
Ramen-San River North ($$ 0.3 miles)
Miru ($$$ 0.4 miles)
Mako ($$$$ 1.4 miles)
Ramen-San Whisky Bar – Fulton Market ($$ 1.5 miles)
Gaijin ($$ 1.6 miles)
Momotaro ($$$ 1.7 miles)
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The Izakaya at Momotaro ($$$ 1.7 miles)
Omakase Yume ($$$$ 1.7 miles)
Nobu Chicago ($$$ 1.7 miles)
Gyuro Ramen ($$ 1.8 miles)
Live Music Clubs
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Andy’s Jazz Club (0.2 miles)
Winter’s Jazz Club (0.5 miles)
Blue Chicago (0.7 miles)
Buddy Guy’s Legends (1.0 miles)
Jazz Showcase (1.1 miles)
Kingston Mines (4.5 miles)
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (7 miles)
Sporting Events
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TV Originals
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Marina City (“Ferris Beuller”, “The Bob Newhart Show”) (0.2 miles)
Billy Goat Tavern (“SNL”) (0.2 miles)
Mr. Beef (“The Bear”) (1.2 miles)
2025-01-02