Archive for the ‘Chicago Events’ Category

Walk to Lollapalooza from Chicago Downtown River North

Friday, August 3rd, 2012

This weekend, Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park with an all-star lineup that includes Passion Pit, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, Sigur Ros, Black Sabbath, and many others. The three day festival boasts more than 100 artists of various genres, from hip hop to electronica to heavy metal, and our Downtown Chicago hotels are next to the action.

Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 as a traveling concert by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, and is in its 16th year, having taken brief hiatuses along the way. Now, it has made a home in Grant Park, with smaller variations occurring annually in Santiago, Chile, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

After a few turbulent years, Lollapalooza caught a second wind and is once again regarded as one of the world’s top festivals for alternative rock, hip-hop, heavy metal, punk, and dance music.

The term “lollapalooza” means “an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event,” and the festival deserves the moniker. Top-tier names have played throughout the years, including Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, The Beastie Boys, Alice in Chains, Tool, Coolio, The Smashing Pumpkins, Eminem, Radiohead, Green Day, Lady Gaga, and Coldplay.

This year, Lollapalooza features seven different stages or venues and runs Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5, from 11:30am ‘til 10pm daily. The celebration has partnered with various Chicago nightlife venues for after-show revelry as well. Our hotels near Grant Park are the perfect place to recoup after long days in the sun—or rain!—or between your favorite acts. From both of our hotels—SpringHill Suites or Residence Inn—, you can head out on foot to Lollapalooza and avoid the inconvenience of public transportation. Enjoy relaxing, sumptuous accommodations to escape the crowds.

Check availability and book your reservation today for our hotels near Lollapalooza. Calming rooms and suites are just a short walk from the festival.

For more information on Lollapalooza, visit the festival homepage.

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Celebrate the Fourth of July the Chicago Way

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

It’s the Fourth of July, and the country’s third biggest city gives you too many reasons not to celebrate  this wonderful occasion. We hope you’ll indulge in some of the city’s finest eateries and pubs, chasing down your deep dish pizza with a delicious pint before you take in the day’s best offerings.

Our location by the Chicago River lends itself to a day of relaxation and outdoor leisure. On top of that, there are events and merriment all around Chicago, so take note of the following to ensure a memorable day of toasting the Red, White, and Blue.

First and foremost, let’s talk fireworks. The big show takes places at Navy Pier at 9pm. It’s a visual feast of colors and pyrotechnics. If you miss it, then come back on Saturday, July 7 at 10:15pm—there will be another show! If you want to see the Independence Day celebration by boat, check out the Seadog or Wendella Boats cruises. If you want a dinner cruise, you might check out the Odyssey, the Spirit of Chicago, or the Mystic Blue. You can even rent a kayak at Navy Pier and catch the dazzling show as you paddle at twilight.

Besides the Red, White, and Blue, you can also root for the boys in Black and White all week. On July 4, the Chicago White Sox take on the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field at 6:10pm. They also play on July 5, before hosting the Toronto Blue Jays through the weekend. Cheer on the Sox as they look to increase their lead in the American League Central Division. The Cubs are away this week, playing first against the Atlanta Braves and then the New York Mets.

The Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park is a fun and free way to pass the evening. Beginning at 6:30pm, this Christopher Bell-directed concert will feature arrangements by Gershwin, Copland, Sousa, Bernstein, and more!

Take the kids to the Family Fun Festival, also at Millennium Park. From 10am-3pm, the Family Fun Tent is set up at the Chase Promenade North corner of the park. The festival features a 10am Wiggleworms lesson—this includes sing-alongs, circle dances, finger games and more—plus an 11am reading circle and 1pm live music and dance performances.

When the day is done, retire to the Residence Inn or SpringHill Suites for a soothing night’s sleep as you prepare for the weekend—which is sure to pack as much excitement as Independence Day itself.

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Design Your Perfect Chicago Day

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Packed with great dining destinations, historic sites, a stunning waterfront, lively music and sports scenes, and sightseeing attractions galore, Chicago is a visitors’ dream. It would take years to tackle every activity offered in the Windy City, but you can fit plenty of fun into just one day, thanks to the city’s phenomenal downtown core.

Chicago at Night

The Ideal Day of Chicago Travel:

  • Start your day by stopping by Einstein Bros. Bagels, located onsite at the Chicago River North Hotels. Grab a hot coffee and a hearty breakfast – you’ll need the energy for your day of Windy City exploration.
  • From your Downtown Chicago hotel, walk east on Illinois Street between the city’s shimmering skyscrapers. Take a left on Michigan Avenue, pausing long enough to check out the 462-foot neo-Gothic architectural wonder that is the Tribune Tower.
  • Beat the crowds to all the best sales at the world-renowned retailers that line Michigan Avenue (also known as the Magnificent Mile). From Nordstrom to Barney’s New York to the giant new Topshop store, the city’s best shopping resides on Michigan Avenue.
  • Grab a bite of lunch in the River North neighborhood, where you can choose from Chicago favorites like Potbelly Sandwich Works, Portillo’s Hot Dogs and Frontera Grill.
  • After lunch, head east across Lake Shore Drive to the Lake Michigan waterfront, where Navy Pier provides a great place for kids and adults alike to shop, explore and take in the beauty of the lake’s deep blue water. Be sure to turn around and admire the Chicago skyline, which stretches for miles on either side of the pier.
  • Walk south along the Lakefront Trail, bordered on either side by the symmetric green lawns of Grant Park and the sailboat-strewn waters of Lake Michigan. Follow the path or take a cab to Chicago’s Museum Center, which boasts Shedd Aquarium (the world’s largest indoor aquarium), the Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium. Spend several hours in one – or all – of the museums.
  • Hop in a cab or take the El back to your River North hotel, where you can rest up for a while before enjoying an adventurous evening in the Windy City. HUB 51 restaurant, onsite at Chicago Downtown River North, is a great place to enjoy a delicious dinner – savor a two-handed sandwich or a fresh fish platter.
  • Make the short trip west to the United Center to cheer on the pride of the city, the Chicago Bulls. Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng have returned the franchise to glory and made Bulls seats a hot commodity once more.
  • Grab post-game beverages at a bar or lounge in Downtown Chicago. There are plenty to choose from, including the upscale Signature Room at the 95th or a more relaxed establishment like the Rock Bottom Brewery.
  • Be sure to get some quality rest and recuperation back at Chicago Downtown River North, because there are plenty more Chicago attractions to get to tomorrow!

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Make Chicago Your Winter Wonderland

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Chicago is well-known for its summer attractions, from baseball to Lake Michigan’s beaches. But winter in the Windy City also provides a wealth of entertainment opportunities, ranging from live music to family-friendly events to sophisticated cultural experiences and art exhibits. Within just a few blocks of our River North hotels, you can find winter entertainment for all ages.

The Chicago Winter Delights Festival offers a little bit of everything. The family-friendly event, which runs through the end of February, features a diverse array of musical performances, art fairs and hands-on crafts fun. No matter if you’re a fan of blues, jazz, gospel, or even opera, the Winter Delights Festival has some tunes for you. Take the kids out to Millennium Park and catch a show in the shadow of Chicago’s skyscrapers or bundle up and head to the Navy Pier for the Winter Carnival concert. If you’re looking for a more refined way to stay warm, visit the Chicago Cultural Center for the annual Day of Opera at the end of January.

Football season may be over, but the Chicago sports scene offers plenty of excitement in the winter months. The Bulls host the star-studded Boston Celtics on February 16 at the United Center and the Atlanta Hawks visit four days later. Hockey fans can finish February on a high note by heading to the United Center for the Blackhawks’ game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 29.

Turn a cold day into a signature Chicago sightseeing experience by checking out one of the city’s acclaimed museums or indoor entertainment options. The Shedd Aquarium is the world’s largest indoor aquarium, featuring 8,000 animals from around the world. Art lovers will find a multitude of enthralling exhibits at the Art Institute of Chicago, where historic art from around the world is showcased alongside forward-thinking modern art installations. Be sure to take note of the ornate building itself, which was constructed in the late 19th century before skyscrapers sprung up around it.

Chicago Winter Events:

  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra – February 25 – Chicago Symphony Center
  • Chicago Winter Delights Festival 2012 – Through February 29 – Various Downtown Chicago locations
  • Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – February 29 – United Center

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Experience the Luck of the Irish at Marriott Chicago River North

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is the one day a year in which everyone’s from the Emerald Isle! Created to mark the Saint’s Day of St. Patrick, the man who brought Christianity to (and, as legend notes, drove the snakes from) Ireland, the St. Patty’s Day of today is filled with green, green, and more green. Chicago’s roots as a city with a large Irish population lends itself to many festivities on March 17!

This year’s Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on March 17, 2012. A tradition since 1962, before the parade, the Chicago River is dyed an emerald green to match the festivities of the day. The parade starts promptly at noon, filled with floats, bagpipes, music, and more. Irish and Irish-for-a-day come together to celebrate, making St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago a party perfect for the whole family. Just be sure to wear green—you may get pinched if you don’t.

If you’re planning on visiting Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day, Marriott Chicago River North is the perfect place to be. Parking is limited along the parade route, so forget the car and jump on public transit right from the hotel! Marriott Chicago River North is blocks away from where the river is dyed for the day, and just a short ride from the parade route. Why bother to find a spot for your car when you can just walk from the hotel? After the parade is over, settle into the nearest Irish pub for Guinness, hearty lamb stew, and a few Irish songs with the locals.

So come March 17, bundle up (the parade goes on rain or shine!) and come on down for Irish-style festivities for the whole family. For more information about the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, call the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee at (312) 942-9188.

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