Chicago welcomed a record-breaking 55 million visitors in 2017, Condé Nast Traveler readers vote Chicago the #1 best big city in the U.S., Alinea and Grace are each awarded three Michelin stars, plus Wintrust Arena and Marriott Marquis Chicago open near McCormick Place.
- Chicago Ranks #1 in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Big Cities in the U.S.
- 2018 Michelin Guide Chicago Awards Three Stars to Alinea
- Marriott Marquis Chicago Opens
- Hilton Chicago Completes $150 million Renovation
- Wintrust Arena Debuts Near McCormick Place
- Gibsons Restaurant Group Opens the Riverfront Gibsons Italia
- Renovated Goose Island Brewpub Reopens as Goose Island Brewhouse
CHICAGO RANKS #1 IN CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS' CHOICE AWARDS FOR BEST BIG CITIES IN THE U.S.
Chicago was lauded for holding the biggest architecture biennial in North America, its James Beard Award-winning chefs (with Alinea getting a shout out) and comedy at the legendary Second City.
Learn more about Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
2018 MICHELIN GUIDE CHICAGO AWARDS THREE STARS TO ALINEA
The 2018 Michelin Guide Chicago has once again awarded three stars to world-renowned Alinea, owned by Chef Grant Achatz. Two stars were given to critically acclaimed Acadia, Oriole, Sixteen and Smyth restaurants.
Learn more about Chicago’s 2018 Michelin star restaurants.
MARRIOTT MARQUIS CHICAGO OPENS
The hotly anticipated Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel has opened. The 40-story, 1,205-room hotel features a pedestrian sky bridge that links it to the new neighboring Wintrust Arena and McCormick Place convention center.
Learn more about the new Marriott Marquis Chicago.
HILTON CHICAGO COMPLETES $150 MILLION RENOVATION
The 90-year-old Hilton Chicago recently completed an extensive top-to-bottom hotel revamp. The renovation includes a contemporary redesign of the Continental Ballroom and the restoration of the 5,000-sq.-ft. Conrad Hilton Suite (the largest suite in the Midwest).
Learn more about the Hilton Chicago.
WINTRUST ARENA DEBUTS NEAR MCCORMICK PLACE
The new 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena, which hosts a year-round calendar of sporting events and concerts, is the newest addition to The Collection at McCormick Square complex. Wintrust Arena also serves as the home court of Chicago’s DePaul University Blue Demons men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the Chicago Sky WNBA team.
Learn more about the new Wintrust Arena.
GIBSONS RESTAURANT GROUP OPENS THE RIVERFRONT GIBSONS ITALIA
The new Gibsons Italia is a stunning three-level Italian steakhouse that offers sweeping views of the Chicago River. The main dining room is on the second floor, while the third floor features a lounge with a dramatic retractable roof that allows for year-round cocktails with picturesque water views that change with the season.
Learn more about Gibsons Italia.
RENOVATED GOOSE ISLAND BREWPUB REOPENS AS GOOSE ISLAND BREWHOUSE
Goose Island Brewhouse has reopened with a modern new look and an expanded on-site brewery. The new menu of elevated pub fare includes house-cured meats and mussels (a brewpub staple). The kitchen is open to the dining room, and windows look down to the Goose Island brewery vats producing favorites like Honkers Ale.
