Always one of my top recommendations for guests coming into town... I highly recommend scheduling an architectural river tour, especially given the proximity to the Swissotel. Regardless of your degree of interest in architecture... the tour of the river is a fantastic way to view Chicago's spectacular cityscape and riverfront. There are 45 min and 90 min options.

Before or afterwards... some other activities nearby include:

- Take a walk down the Chicago Riverwalk, and grab some drinks

- Check out the famous Wrigley building

- Grab some drinks at one of the world's best rooftop bars: London House (or alternatively Terrace 16)

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures, and time. Full of incredible pieces that even the least cultured of us would recognize!

I'd be sure to allocate at least 4 hours for this, if you can, but it's well worth the time.

Some nearby activities that you could consider before/after:

- Walk around Millennium Park & Lurie Garden

- Buckingham Fountain & Grant Park

- Field Museum or Shedd Aquarium

- Columbia Yacht Club (our reception venue)

- Cindy's Rooftop restaurant (reservations required well in advance)

The Second City is an improvisational comedy enterprise and is the first ongoing improvisational theater troupe to be continually based in Chicago. Opened on December 16, 1959, The Second City Theatre has since become one of the most influential and prolific comedy theatres in the English-speaking world. Since its debut, The Second City has consistently been a starting point for many comedians, award-winning actors, directors, and others in show business, including Bill Murray, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Jordan Peele, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Aidy Bryant, and many others.

While I recommend having your drinks beforehand at one of the many, great Old Town bars (as they're pretty expensive inside Second City)... Their improv comedy shows are a must-see while you're in town.

Nearby activities for before/afterwards:

- Eat/Drink at the fantastic bars right there in the heart of Old Town (i.e. Utopian Tailgate, Corcoran's Pub, Broken English)

- Walk to the North Avenue Beach Pier for fantastic view of Lake Michigan & the Chicago skyline

- Visit Lincoln Park for a boardwalk stroll around the South Pond, or a visit to the Zoo (free)

- Myles & Elizabeth live nearby at 1850 N Clark Street

Check out Chicago's FREE Zoo in Lincoln Park! Get a feel for our "current stomping grounds" with a walk around the park itself, including highlights such as:

- Nature Boardwalk around South Pond

- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond

- Lincoln Monument & Gardens

Nearby Activities for before/afterwards:

- Heart of Old Town (Wells St & North Ave)

- The J Parker (rooftop bar)

- North Avenue Beach

- Fullerton Beach

Chicago's premier natural history museum is located on Chicago’s iconic Lake Michigan shore. The Field Museum opened its current building to the public in 1921—but their story began years earlier: Their collection grew out of items on display in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the “White City.” The exposition delighted visitors with 65,000 exhibits filled with natural wonders and cultural artifacts, many of which later found a permanent home in Chicago at the newly created Field Columbian Museum. The museum name still honors Marshall Field, who donated $1 million to make the collective dream of a permanent museum a reality.

Nearby Activities for before/afterwards:

- Shedd Aquarium

- Grant Park & Buckingham Fountain

- Walk along shore of Lake Michigan

- Millennium Park

Founded in 1968, Kingston Mines is the largest and oldest continuously operating blues club in Chicago. Its two stages have been graced by the likes of Magic Slim, Koko Taylor, Sugar Blue, Billy Branch, Junior Wells, Mike Wheeler, Joanna Connor, and scores of other musical greats.

Kingston Mines has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including the Chicago Reader’s 2016 Best Blues Club, Chicago Music Awards 2016 Most Popular Blues Club Award (again!) & 2016 Torch Bearer of Blues in Chicago Award, a Chicago Concierge Favorites Award and a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. What keeps the Kingston Mines alive today, is the same thing that allowed its birth in the stormy 1960s…passion!

We invite you to come on down, get comfortable, enjoy some delicious fare from Doc’s Kitchen, and open your ears to some of Chicago’s best live music – and remember our motto: “Hear Blues – Drink Booze – Talk Loud – You’re Among Friends!”

Nearby Activities for before:

- Grab dinner at one of Lincoln Park's many great restaurants:

--> Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

--> Parson's Chicken & Fish

-->Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza)

- Check out a great LP bar beforehand:

--> Prost! (German Beer Garden)

--> Halligan's Irish Pub

--> Tin Lizzie Sports Bar