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 GUIDE TO THE McCORMICK PLACE AREA There’s plenty to do around McCormick Place after the workday is done — explore world-renowned attractions, dine at dynamic restaurants, and discover lively nightspots — all close by. ATTRACTIONS Three world-class cultural institutions share one beautiful lakefront location on the Museum Campus . At the Field Museum , explore natural history and global cultures, from SUE the T. rex to an ancient Egyptian tomb. The Shedd Aquarium invites you into an underwater world of leaping beluga whales and colorful reef fish. And the Adler Planetarium brings the cosmos to earth with state-of-the-art sky theatres and interactive exhibits. Historic Soldier Field has been a beloved Chicago stadium since 1924. Watch your favorite players on their home turf during a Chicago Bears football game or a Chicago Fire soccer match. Soldier Field is also a premium concert venue, welcoming superstars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Just a few minutes’ walk from McCormick Place is the modern Wintrust Arena , home to the Chicago Sky women’s basketball team. The venue also hosts a variety of events, from pro wrestling to comedy tours and concerts. Explore Chicago’s vibrant Chinatown . Shop for handcrafted treasures and dine in some of the neighborhood’s oldest restaurants along Wentworth Avenue . Chinatown Square is an outdoor mall featuring public art like Chinese zodiac statues, along with an abundance of dining options, boba spots, and specialty stores reflecting the neighborhood’s vibrant culture. Learn the story of Chinese immigration to the city at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago . Picnic in Ping Tom Park , a waterfront green space that hosts the annual Chicago Dragon Boat Race. After dark, meander the Chicago River in a light-up electric kayak from Neon Paddle , with stunning skyline views as your backdrop. Tour a music landmark at the historic Chess Records recording studio, where Etta James, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry laid down some of their most famous tracks. It’s operated by the Blues Heaven Foundation , a musician-supported nonprofit founded by blues legend Willie Dixon. History buffs will want to tour the Glessner House , an ornate Gilded Age family home. Each room has been lovingly restored with original 19th-century artifacts from the wealthy Glessner family, who lived here for 48 years. ALEJANDRO REYES
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2026: Page 52
