CONTENTS 10 REASONS TO MEET CHOOSE CHICAGO IS HERE TO HELP EXPLORE WHAT’S NEW FESTIVALS & EVENTS CONVENTION FACILITIES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS ACCESSIBLE CHICAGO FEATURED PARTNERS TAP INTO CHICAGO’S DIVERSE BUSINESSES RESOURCES ACTIVE TEAM BUILDING IDEAS UNMATCHED PRIVATE DINING IN CHICAGO ICONIC CHICAGO EVENT VENUES GUIDE TO THE McCORMICK PLACE AREA MEET SUSTAINABLY CHICAGO HOTEL COLLECTIONS SEE CHICAGO IN 24 HOURS ICONIC CHICAGO EVENT VENUES OUTDOOR VENUES Discover scenic event venues like outdoor restaurants and bars along the downtown Chicago Riverwalk , a lively 1.25-mile riverfront promenade. Book a leisurely tour or charter a boat for your event on the water. Check out First Lady , Wendella Tours & Cruises , Shoreline Sightseeing , and Chicago Fireboat Tours . Cruise the Chicago River during an elegant meal with City Cruises Chicago . The climate-controlled, glass-enclosed vessel accommodates up to 200 seated guests. In Lincoln Park, The Lakefront Restaurant serves Midwestern fare and spectacular views of Lake Michigan for 125 seated guests indoors or 80 on its patio. Rockwell on the River , located on the picturesque North Branch of the Chicago River, offers more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space — including a riverside deck — for an event of 500+ people. The modern complex (once a tannery) includes a small-batch distillery, acclaimed barbecue restaurant, craft coffee roastery, and a marina. Notable architecture, stunning skyline and water views, and beautiful outdoor spaces are just some of the reasons Chicago events are never outdone. The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago The two-story 63rd Street Beach House accommodates up to 1,600 for cocktail parties within its various courtyards and balconies, located in the South Shore neighborhood overlooking Lake Michigan. Choose from a variety of beautiful venues for up to 7,000 guests at Millennium Park , including the architecturally stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion . Set among lush indoor and outdoor gardens, Garfield Park Conservatory offers a tropical paradise for up to 300 seated guests or 400 cocktail style. Harborside International Golf Center provides a beautiful backdrop for plated dinners and cocktail receptions for 220 to 300 guests. Norman’s Bistro on the Lake at Rainbow Beach offers a 4,800-square-foot deck with a bar, a menu of barbecue eats like smoked ribs, umbrella-shaded tables, and Lake Michigan views. The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago , a series of glass-enclosed observation boxes that hover 1,353 feet above Chicago. Perched high above the Chicago River, the tri-level LH Rooftop at LondonHouse Chicago accommodates 250 guests for chic receptions. On the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO offers several spaces for groups of up to 550 people, along with thrilling bird’s-eye views from its TILT ride. The glamorous 27th-floor ROOF on theWit accommodates up to 325 people under a retractable roof, complete with dramatic city views. The French-inspired rooftop Chateau Carbide at Pendry Chicago delights with an outdoor garden and indoor seating for up to 150 guests. Atop a former historic hotel, The Penthouse Hyde Park ballroom offers art deco design paired with sweeping city views for up to 170 seated guests or 200 cocktail style on the terrace. Once conferences adjourn in the Ivy Hotel ‘s 3,000 square feet of meeting space, attendees can head up to the stylish Sky Terrace rooftop lounge for panoramic views and craft cocktails. VENUES IN THE SKY Plan an event with jaw-dropping views at the Willis Tower’ s 99th Floor , which seats 175 people or up to 300 for receptions. Treat guests to a thrill with VIP access to CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: RANVESTEL PHOTOGRAPHIC; KATHLEEN HINKEL PHOTOGRAPHY; NICK LANGLOIS
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2026: Page 44
