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Late summer in Chicago is a perfect time in the city. The weather is great for exploring the city on foot, and there's plenty going on in the museums, theaters, and galleries downtown. It's still possible to sneak in a trip to Chicago before the end of the season, thanks to Starpicks. The Westin O'Hare is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. Conveniently located by O'Hare Airport, the Westin O'Hare has 525 guest rooms and suites, all of which feature the Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, so you'll feel rested, refreshed, and ready to take on the town. The work of Jeff Koons is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago through September 21, so it's a good time to admire his oversized metallic puppies and rabbits. The view from the Sears Tower is always hard to beat, as the tallest building in the western hemisphere offers panoramic vistas of Chicago, its surrounding suburbs, and Lake Michigan. And since you've got to spend some time out of doors when the weather is this nice, take in a free concert in Grant Park, a picturesque green space that's often referred to as Chicago's "front yard." It's a perfect spot to relax and dream up your next great Starpicks getaway.
Recently in Chicago Category
Pre-Movie Cocktails at aloft O'Hare
Wednesday August 6, 2008
I attended the grand opening of the new aloft Chicago O'Hare recently and got to sample firsthand some of the signature cocktails being served in w xyz, the boutique bar in the lobby of each aloft hotel. The bar features three house-infused liquors: blueberry vodka, bartlett pear rum and pineapple-chipotle tequila. The tequila wasn't ready on opening day, but I tried the other two; the vodka had a sweet-tart blueberry flavor that almost tasted like a well-made Cosmo just on its own. I preferred the rum, though — its crisp pear flavor was light and refreshing. Of the signature cocktails, the Watermelon Martini was dangerously smooth, while the Brown-Eyed Girl was just on the right side of super-sugary — though the rock-sugar swizzle stick might put some over the edge.
The bar is set at one end of the bright, multi-level lobby space, with comfortable seating, a pool table, free wifi and plenty of outlets to plug in your laptop while you unwind with a drink. And with an upscale Muvico movie theater right next door, w xyz bar is the perfect place for a cocktail and a snack before catching the latest blockbuster.
Find Summer Bliss in Suburban Chicago with Westin
Tuesday July 8, 2008
When it's summer in the city, sometimes it makes sense to flee to the surrounding suburbs, where the temperatures are cooler and you can find plenty of open spaces to enjoy the refreshing breezes. To make your suburban escapes just a little bit easier this summer, Starwood is offering special low rates for Westin properties in suburban Chicago. Escape to Suburban Chicago and enjoy rates starting at $119 per night for stays at the Westin Chicago North Shore, the Westin Chicago Northwest, and the Westin O'Hare, while rates at the luxurious Westin Lombard Yorktown Center start at just $129 a night. So for a little more than a tank of gas, you can indulge in the many amenities of this premiere hotel, from its fitness and spa facilities, indoor heated pool, and Westin WORKOUT gym to the sun deck, jogging path, and nearby golf courses. Enjoy a healthy and delicious seafood meal at Holy Mackerel!, where no fish is ever frozen. Or else indulge in one of the best steaks in town at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, which has been designated "Official Home Plate of the Chicago Cubs." If that's not a ringing endorsement of Chicago-area cuisine, I don't know what is. For more information or to make a reservation, visit Westin's Suburban Chicago homepage, and don't forget to enter the Westins of Suburban Chicago Sweepstakes to win a Westin Heavenly Bid. This is how it should feel.
Make a Splash with Sheraton and Coco Key Water Resort
Monday June 23, 2008
There's nothing like swimming, floating, and splashing around in water to get your mind into a happy space, and there are few better places to do that than the CoCo Key Water Resorts. Conveniently located in Sheraton hotels in Chicago, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Danvers, Massachusetts, they're a great way to enjoy an amazing indoor collection of pools, water slides, and recreation areas during the day and then have some sweet sleep in a Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed at night. If that sounds interesting, here's a little extra enticement to visit: through December 31, 2008, stays at participating Sheraton hotels come with four passes to CoCo Key Indoor Water Resort, so you're guaranteed a hassle-free escape into a watery paradise and a relaxing evening to follow. The Sheraton Chicago Northwest, the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, the Sheraton Cincinnati North Hotel, and the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel all await you with comfortable furnishings, the latest amenities, fine restaurants, and, oh yeah, indoor water parks with features like the Barracuda Blast two-person raft slide, Adventure River, and a Palm Grotto spa. It's wet and wild fun for the family. Click here to plan your aquatic adventure, or call 1-866-716-8103 and mention promotion code WPK.
Museums Off the Beaten Path in Chicago
Friday June 20, 2008
The Windy City is full of world class museums like the Art Institute, the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. But there are many others that fly under the radar of most visitors — and even some of the locals. One example is the International Museum of Surgical Science, located a short walk north of the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago. A turn-of-the-century mansion holds a collection of exhibits detailing advances in surgical tools and methodology, as well as the unexpected treat of a quarterly show of medically themed art. Don't forget to hit the gift shop!
The more "image-conscious" check out the Museum of Contemporary Photography and Museum of Holography, in the South Loop and Fulton Market District, respectively. In the former, you'll see photos of American backyards — it's more interesting than you think. At the latter, you'll see "Transitional States," image that appear to move as you do. Or maybe you're more interested in culture — the National Museum of Mexican Art or the Dusable Museum of African American History might do the trick. They're two the best cultural heritage museums in the country.
A Day at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Wednesday June 4, 2008
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world, with more than 8,000 aquatic animals spread out across exhibits representing different ocean and freshwater habitats. Shedd Aquarium is divided into six distinct sections, ranging from Amazon Rising, with creepy jungle critters like giant anacondas, scary spiders, and tiny toxic frogs, to the warm-sounding Caribbean Reef, where a scuba diver feeds moray eels, green turtles, and stingrays to the delight of onlookers gathered around the 90,000-gallon circular habitat. One of the main highlights of "the World's Aquarium" is Wild Reef: Sharks at Shedd, where more than two dozen of Chicago's toothiest residents strut their stuff (as much as sharks can strut) in a 400,000-gallon tank. But don't miss out on spending some time in the Oceanarium. There you can visit the aquarium's beluga whales, Maujak, Puiji and Nayas. These milky white whales clang and whistle and are always graceful to watch, but even more so in recent time, as they raise their new additions: baby whales, Miki (born August 07) and Bella (born 2006). These delightful creatures can be seen in the underwater viewing area in the Secluded Bay. The Shedd Aquarium is close to the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, and part of the Westin Discover program.
Destination Spotlight - Chicago - Hit the Beach in the Windy City
Wednesday May 28, 2008Chicago is a city of surprises, and one of its best is revealed every spring with the opening of the city's 33 pristine public beaches. Visitors and residents alike make their way to the expansive shoreline of Lake Michigan, which boasts ribbons of white sand, great swimming and water sports, and tony cafes that seem plucked out of tropical ocean resort towns. For some of the finest summertime people watching, it's hard to top Oak Street Beach. Just north of the Magnificent Mile, it's popular with sun worshipers, in-line skaters, and fans of fine cuisine, who occupy the alfresco tables at the Oak Street Beachstro and enjoy some of the city's freshest seafood with a view of the sparkling blue water. Aspiring athletes and those who love them are drawn to North Avenue Beach, which has not only a great biking and running path, but one of the most competitive beach volleyball scenes in the country. Arrive early to get a prime viewing spot of the sandy action. Starwood has hotels throughout the Windy City, including the W Chicago - Lakeshore and the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile, which are just minutes from the beach.
Destination Spotlight - Chicago - Food Festivals for Every Taste
Wednesday May 28, 2008In the world's great metropolises, it's impossible to sample every food the city has to offer — but Chicago gives you a head start every summer. The annual Taste of Chicago, which runs June 27 through July 6 this year, offers the opportunity to sample foods from more than 60 restaurants from all over the city, in a carnival atmosphere right down the middle of Grant Park. Try dishes from legends like the Billy Goat Inn, Eli's Cheesecake or Lou Malnati's, or venture into new territory with pierogies from Kasia's Deli, coconut rice with sautéed goat from Bolat African Cuisine or veggie gyros from Soul Vegetarian East.
The food is the main attraction at "the Taste," but there's much more going on, from dance and theater performances to concerts by Joss Stone, Bonnie Raitt, Gomez and Stevie Wonder, among others. And on July 3, the city puts on its big fireworks show over Lake Michigan just east of the festival grounds. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is just the right distance away to quickly be in the thick of it while being far enough away to have a quiet retreat when you're done with the crowds.
But the Taste isn't the only downtown food festival anymore. The city just announced Chicago Gourmet, a new high-end food and wine festival to take place in Millennium Park September 26-28. Dozens of the city's top chefs, including Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan and Gale Gand, will offer food from their restaurants as well as present cooking demonstrations, while more than 150 wines from around the world will be available for sampling. Special events such as a Grand Cru tasting and a Latin American pavilion sponsored by the Culinary Institute of America are also planned. The tickets aren't cheap — $150 per person for a one day pass ($130 if you buy before June 30) or $250 for two days — but considering the caliber of the chefs and the opportunity to try so many top-notch restaurants in one place, the high price is worth it.
Destination Spotlight - Chicago - A City of Music
Wednesday May 28, 2008
A few American cities are so linked with their musical heritage that there's just no separating the two: Nashville, New Orleans, Detroit, Chicago. In the early 20th century, when African Americans began venturing north during the "Great Migration," many made their way to the Windy City. They brought their acoustic guitars and harmonicas along, and carried on the Delta blues tradition, but in this big northern city, electric guitars were added, drums, piano, bass, and saxophone joined the fray, and suddenly a new sound emerged, Chicago blues. Since then, myriad forms of music have sprung up, Chicago soul, jazz, gospel, punk, house... even the symphony orchestra is recognized as one of the world's best. From outdoor pavilions, to intimate clubs, full of tradition, and lore, Chicago today is a great place to experience live music.
For jazz, nothing beats The Green Mill, the nation's oldest jazz club, once the stomping ground of Al Capone, and Charlie Chaplin. Some of the world's best players got their start here, and today the club continues to host the greats. Buddy Guy opened his blues club, Legends in 1989. A short walk from W Chicago - City Center, everyone from Bo Diddley to Eric Clapton have graced the stage. Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair got their start at the legendary rock venue Metro. Head downstairs to SmartBar, where groundbreaking DJs spin nightly. If the weather's nice, check the Millennium Park concert schedule. From "Audio Picnics," to the "Made in Chicago" series, you'll find something truly splendid, most every night.
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More Destination Spotlight - Chicago - Jeff Koons at the MCA
Wednesday May 28, 2008 A child's toy. A love token. A traveling bar set. These are but three of the myriad of contemporary objects that New York based artist Jeff Koons has found as inspiration and then recreated in his own signature style of painted high chromium stainless steel.
Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, affectionately acronymed the MCA, will open beginning on May 31 not one, but two summer shows, on Koons. The first, a retrospective exclusive to the space is simply entitled, "Jeff Koons" and traces the artist's illustrious career. Some say it began as a child when he made copies of Old Master paintings, autographed them with his own signature and sold them at his father's furniture store. Or others argue his first works began in New York in the late 70s when he worked at the MOMA membership desk by day and created his first plastic rabbits and inflatable flowers by night. After a few years working in finance, he returned with a savvy vengeance to the art world, with oversized stainless steel sculptures, comic takes on liquor advertising, and life size renditions of pop figures such as the satirical sculpture of Michael Jackson and his 80s pal Bubbles. Koons himself starred in his art with his then wife Ilona Staller, but then returned to outputting blockbuster sculptures, exhibited worldwide including this summer at the The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Met in New York. Thirty years since his debut, Koons is a major artistic force worldwide, creating with a team of artisans, vast, stunning eye candy sculptures with often gleaming reflective surfaces that will draw you in and then force you to contemplate your own image as you stand transfixed by its workmanship.
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