Sights, Museums, Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium: The Coral Reef exhibit is a must-see; the Oceanarium has dolphins and beluga whales with a view back at the city and over Lake Michigan. Jeff’s 30th Birthday was here, as it’s one of our favorites in the city!

	Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange: Learn a little about what Jeff does for a living with a tour of Chicago's famous futures exchanges. Pretend you're in the scene from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", when Cameron is making all those funny hand signals. .

Millenium Park: Ice skating in the park! Skate rentals are available. 4 blocks from the hotel. Also, the sculpture referred to as “the Bean” is above the rink and provides a view of the entire Chicago skyline.

Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building: You can pay to go up to the viewing tower, or you can grab a drink at the lounge area on the 95th floor and take in a fantastic view of the city. Don’t miss the view from the ladies restroom!

Lights in the Lincoln Park Zoo: Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the only free zoos in the nation. See all the classic zoo animals like giraffes, elephants, lions. The Ape House is great and there is an aviary for bird lovers. For Christmas there is a zoo lights festival and visitors can wander among festive animal themed decorative light configurations as well as see the real animals

Art Institute of Chicago: Fabulous collections spanning all interests. At the holidays, there is typically an outstanding special exhibit that draws crowds -- thus advance tickets are required. A few hours is all you need to check out the special exhibit, Chagall windows, Impressionist gallery, latest photography display, hall of armor, or iconic works of Georgia O'Keeffe! One of Laura's favorite escapes from reality in the city.

Shopping

Marshall Fields Christmas Windows: 2 blocks from the hotel, on State street.

The flagship store of the Marshall Fields chain, the decorated windows tell a story and are a must-see every holiday season. Inside, explore the history of the department store on the 7th floor. Advanced reservations are suggested for the Walnut Room, and be prepared for a wait. However, you can sneak a peak at the famed tree from the 8th floor.

Oak Street Shopping: Boutiques line Oak Street with high-end fashion… Barneys, Prada, Nicole Miller, etc. About an $8 cab ride - just tell the cabby Oak St.

Restaurants

Steaks, Chops, Seafood:

Ditkas: An all time favorite of Jeff and Laura's, where seeing "Da Coach" is a frequent occurrence. Go with "Da Kick Ass Paddle Steak" or "Da Pork Chop" Jeff's Attain Christmas party was held here last year. About a $5 cab ride from the hotel.

Gibsons /Hugo Frog Bar: Chicago is known for old school steak and seafood houses, and Gibsons is one of the classics. A huge platter of the different cuts of steak are brought to the table raw to show you the different marbling, bone in/out, grain, size, etc. Make sure to check out the desserts. Hugo Frog Bar gets the overflow from Gibsons, and shares the same kitchen. Bring your wallet $$$ About a $7 cab ride from the hotel.

Joe's Stone Crab & Steaks: This is the same Joe's that's in Miami, and the stone crabs taste just as good...Jeff has never let anyone who goes with him order steak here, but some feel it also has the best steak in the city. Pricey. About a 10 minute walk from hotel, or $5 cab ride.

Fogo De Chao: If you've never tried a Brazillian steak house, and you want to see how much meat you can eat, head here. 20-30 waiters walk around the restaurant with different meats on huge skewers. You have a card that you put "green side up" when you want them to bring you more, and put "red side up" when you need some time to digest or chew. As long as it's on green and you're still conscious, you can eat as much beef, chicken, lamb, steak, prime rib, sausage, ribs, tenderloin as you like. There's a great salad bar too. About a $7 cab ride from hotel.

Harry Careys: A cheaper Gibsons with Chicago flair, it's named for the former Cubs Announcer... A one... a two... a....three.....take me out to the ballgame. Be sure to try the special chips in the bar before sitting down.

Sushi, Asian:

Mirai: Jeff & Laura's favorite sushi spot, make sure you tell sushi chef "BK" you're in town for the wedding if you go here. The baked Kani and special spicy tuna/octopus roll are phenomenal along with everything else. About a $15 cab ride from hotel.

Japonais: One of Chicago's newest spots, but already one of its best and hippest, as they spent $4 million on the rennovation of an old Montgomery Wards warehouse. Excellent balance of sushi and non-sushi cooked Japanese dishes like teriyaki steak, etc. For sushi lovers, be sure to try the Tuna-Tuna-Salmon, Kani Nigiri, Unaigi Trio, and Spicy Mono. About a $10 cab ride from the hotel.

Sushi Samba : Another ultra-hip sushi spot. Laura's 27th Surprise Birthday Party was held here. Try the Brazillian Caipirinha drinks (think Mojito with a kick). 6 blocks from hotel, or a $5 cab ride.

Ben Pao: Some of the best Chinese food you've ever had and one of the Malec family's favorites, be sure to try the Portabello mushroom satay and the wrinkled green beans. 7-10 minute walk from the hotel, or $5 cab ride.

Latino/Mexican/Tapas

Adobo Grill: A neat spot right in Jeff and & Laura's neighborhood -- Old Town, they have unbelievable margaritas and guacamole made table-side. About a $12 cab ride from the hotel.

Cafe Iberico: If you're in the mood for Sangria and some Tapas, head to this fun spot. There can be a wait, but the food is worth it. . About an $8 cab ride from hotel. As a Tapas backup, head to Emilios on Clark, about a $12 cab ride from the hotel.

Nacional 27: An upscale restaurant serving Latino dishes including Mojitos, Ceviche, and more (used to be the only place in Chicago Jeff could get conch fritters, but they recently took them off the menu).

Others:

Bin 36: A wine bar and restaurant with great wine flights and cheese selections. A common after work stop for meeting up with the girls. 2 minute walk across the river form the hotel, a $3 cab ride.

Weber Grill: A bit more casual and touristy, but surprisingly good. All food is made on gigantic Weber Grills. $5 Cab ride from hotel.

Pizza:

Gino’s East Pizza: If you've never tried Chicago Stuffed Pizza - this is supposedly the Original, they don't take reservations, and there can be long lines, but it has a large dining area, the line moves quickly and stuffed pizza is delicious. You can leave your mark on Chicago by adding to the graffitti on the walls!

Pequods: A $15 cab ride from the hotel, but Jeff & Laura's favorite pizza in the city with deep-dish and burnt cheese crust...yum!

Check out www.metromix.com for more suggestions

Airports, Trains, Cabs

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) & Midway (MDW) are both approximately 35-60 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic.

Cab fare will run between $35 and $45 from the airports. Public transportation via Chicago's infamous elevated, or "L" train, is available from both airports and costs just a $1.75/person. It takes approximately 40 minutes from either airport.

The "Blue Line" runs from O’Hare to the city, and the "Orange Line" from Midway to the city. From either airport, just follow the signs for “Trains to City”. There are vending machines to purchase "fare cards", and typically helpful CTA workers... or, feel free to ask the locals if you have questions. About 30-40 minutes later, you'll want to get off the train at the Clark/Lake station. (there are escalators & elevators, so no lugging your luggage up/down stairs).

The Renaissance Hotel is 3 blocks from the Clark/Lake Street stop.