HEARTH & HOME wrong . It recently earned “ hottest ” and “ hippest ” neighborhood honors from the likes of Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler magazines . Setting the tone is its most dominant landmark : The Robey , a 12-story boutique hotel in the former Northwest Tower , one of the first skyscrapers built outside of downtown Chicago . The art deco showpiece soars 203 feet above Damen , Milwaukee and North avenues , basking in its superb central location , with the Blue Line L station , a Stan ’ s Donuts shop and the world ’ s fanciest Walgreens ( housed in a palatial former bank building that retains plenty of its grandeur ) within steps of the lobby .
Speaking of the lobby , behold the architectural eye candy it affords ! Following its cue from the building ’ s original architects , Perkins , Chatten & Hammond , the common areas ooze an understated period magnificence on its own , with green marble walls , brass elevator doors and even the original mail chute . In contrast , the hotel ’ s 69 guest rooms offer light-filled , Belgian-designed spaces , encouraging a surreal , zenlike existence atop the hustle and bustle below .
SEE : Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise One of the best ways to get the lay of the land is to cruise along the Chicago River , a 156-mile waterway that flows through the city . The tour aboard Chicago ’ s First Lady Cruises offers some of the city ’ s most knowledgeable guides ( highly trained volunteer docents from the foundation ), who are ready to dish on the architectural significance , as well as the stories behind the dozens of buildings and skyscrapers along the way . The boats have both outdoor and indoor areas to accomodate any weather-related concerns . architecture . org
360 Chicago If you prefer to soar - in this case , tilt - over the cityscape , 360 Chicago ’ s perch 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile will take your breath away . The observation deck from Chicago ’ s iconic John Hancock building offers 360-degree views from the 94th floor . Plus , it now has TILT , an enclosed glass platform that literally tilts thrill-seekers out over Michigan Avenue . We recommend getting there just before sunset . The deck ’ s west corner is equipped with spectator seating - conveniently next to the cocktail bar - to welcome twilight time in style . 360chicago . com
Shedd Aquarium Shedd , one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world , was established in 1930 as a gift to the people of Chicago from then-Marshall Field & Company president , John Graves Shedd . There is plenty to explore , including the Abbott Oceanarium , where you can observe beluga whales and dolphins at play within the coastal ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest . There ’ s also the award-winning Wild Reef display , where you can take on the exotic , like exploring a coral reef in the Philippines .
360 Chicago ' s TILT thrill ride
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