CHICAGO

When discussing a Broadway show, a source of inflated bragging rights is being able to declare, “Oh, I saw that in London.” Well, I can best that with, “Oh, I saw that show in Chicago.” Such is the star power of Chi-town’s celebrated Steppenwolf Theatre, which has transferred many of its productions to Broadway.

In this particular instance, I am referring to the Broadway hit “Little Bear Ridge Road.” The highly acclaimed Steppenwolf has commissioned and produced countless plays that have migrated eastward to the Great White Way, including “The Minutes,” “Purpose,” “August: Osage County,” and “Mary Page Marlowe. It is abundantly clear that the epithet “Second City” isn’t accurate in defining the city’s place in the hierarchy of theatre in America’s cities.

This metropolis also offers first-class attractions, sites, culture, and experiences to cunningly dazzle and captivate. The city’s 24-acre Millenium Park features the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, and the Lurie Garden, among the attractions. The Cloud Gate, popularly known as “The Bean,” is a high-gloss, amoebic, and amorphously shaped stainless-steel sculpture, one of the first public art works by Anish Kapoor.

More Sights and Sites
If Chicago architecture is your jam, then a must is the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady; it offers a bird’s-eye view of the city from quite another vantage point. If you know nothing about architecture, you’ll certainly learn to recognize the hallmarks of Historic Revival, Post-Modernism, Art Deco, Neo-Classic, and Beaux Arts, for starters: Among the skyline’s bountiful offerings, catch a glimpse of Aqua by Studio Gang, with its undulating wave-like shell; the famed Merchandise Mart with its pyramidal towers; the AMA Plaza, Mies van der Rohe’s last building. 

If you’d rather do a romantic river cruise, opt for a premier dinner cruise, a two-and-a-half hour leisurely excursion on the Odyssey, one of the vessels owned and operated by City Cruises, embarking from the famous Navy Pier. Sumptuous fare is offered alongside the dazzling scenery. Or, for quite another view of the city, choose Flyover Chicago, also located on Navy Pier (which, parenthetically is 3,300 feet long, covers 50 acres, and is dotted with theatres, amusements, restaurants, food stands, family attractions, a park, and gardens). This is an immersive, multi-sensory attraction, offering—via the wizardry of video and cutting-edge technology—a chance to feel as though you are zooming over the city like Superman.

Museum Magic
For calmer experiences, head to several of the more than 60 museums in the Greater Chicago area. Of course, no trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the extraordinary Art Institute of Chicago. Consistently rated among the world’s top museums by TripAdvisor travelers, the Art Institute is home to the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including works by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, and Van Gogh. Explore the Renzo Piano–designed Modern Wing and its extraordinary collection of works by Chagall, Dalí, Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock. Do not miss the Hartwell Memorial Tiffany Window, the Chagall America Windows, and the astonishing Thorne Miniature Rooms, featuring dozens of stunning period rooms, to scale at 1:12; the details are mind-bending. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago offers visual counterpoint and its exhibits are a delight to savor; the core collection contains more than 2,000 works). Save time to grab a bite in the wonderful Marisol Restaurant.

Another fun museum to visit, a bit off most radar screens, is the American Writers Museum, in the heart of downtown—and the only museum of its type in the States. It features interactive exhibits, immersive displays, and one-of-a-kind stories that celebrate the past, present, and future of American writing. Yet, one more museum I loved: The International Museum of Surgical Science, a division of the International College of Surgeons (ICS), which maintains over 10,000 square feet of public galleries committed to the history of surgery. 

In the Evanston area is the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, well worth the short trip there. The 65,000 square-foot building features an authentic German rail car and other artifacts that will likely affect the viewer profoundly. One recent exhibit showcased the famed Kinder Transport, and while geared to a younger audience, it highlighted a large selection of individual ID tags that each child wore, which inspired British author Michael Bond to put such an ID tag on his creation, the lovable “refugee” Paddington Bear.

More Culture… and Creative Pursuits
Additional culture should include theatre, comedy clubs, opera (the Lyric Opera of Chicago is among the country’s finest), and local shows/symphonic presentation/music at the celebrated Auditorium Theatre. In addition to the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theatre, carve out time to go to the renowned Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit.

I have, also, enjoyed the amazing Auditorium Building, which opened its doors in 1889; Frank Lloyd Wright actually worked as a draftsman on the plans. Originally conceived as an opera house, today, the building hosts several hundred events annually, from rock to classical presentations. 

Stop to Rest and Dine
While on the Navy Pier, I would recommend Chef Art Smith’s Reunion restaurant, featuring a robust menu of the chef’s well-known comfort food, but prepared with a “twist of healthy.” This is a perfect venue for dining after Flyover Chicago. Around The Loop area is The Dearborn, a wonderful, Irish-rooted taverna. Sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless, the team behind the name, work to make you feel at home, with family- and Irish-inspired fare, which includes one of Chicago’s best burgers, and their beloved fish ’n’ chips, the very dish that beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network.

Where to Stay:
Comfy, Convenient Lodging
I chose the Sophy Hyde Park Hotel, an upscale, four-diamond boutique property, holding LEED silver certification. Located in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, nestled in the South Side, an area made more popular by the Obamas (look for the stunning portrait of Obama in the lobby), the hotel feels “residential,” given that the nabe is a charming mix of stately mansions, modern condos, and vintage apartments along tree-lined streets. Details matter here, so look for the charming tchotchkes in the lobby (Scrabble tiles in a glass jar) and the thoughtful touches in your room—like a black washcloth for make-up removal. At least one night, dine at the hotel’s Mesler Kitchen, with its wide and toothsome offerings. 

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