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Dreaming Days ~ One night / 2 day

Chicago City Getaway


(Type of trip - Weekend getaway. Not interested in “sights to see“ and would like to do a bit of shopping and relaxing while seeing a bit of the city)


(The following is a sample created August 2010 with information current at that time) 
 

St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL

Map of downtown Chicago area http://www.explorechicago.org/etc/medialib/explore_chicago/
tourism/pdfs_guides_and_maps/navtech_loop_map.Par.78162.File.dat/Northside.pdf


Detail map of Chicago http://www.explorechicago.org/etc/medialib/explore_chicago/tourism/pdfs_guides_and_maps/
vip_map_brochure.Par.77061.File.dat/MapFront4.4.pdf


Travel Date: October 23

Departure Date:: October 24

Transportation to Chicago: http://www.amtrak.com/

312.655.2066

422 Texas Eagle

Depart: 7:55 a.m., October 23

Arrive: 1:52 p.m., October 23

Duration: 5 hr, 57 min

Chicago Union Station

210 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606

http://www.chicagounionstation.com

 
taxi to:

DANA HOTEL and SPA

660 N State Street
Chicago, IL 606054

888.301.3262

www.danahotelandspa.com

Tucked away within the frenetic city that surrounds it, this luxury boutique hotel and spa evokes a vibe that isn’t about seeing and being seen—only about living in the moment. At the Dana Hotel & Spa, giving is our pleasure, and it’s this fundamental, yet profound principle that we practice daily.

Dana has been designed for living; A Chicago boutique hotel and spa that offers an artful juxtaposition that balances the beauty of natural elements with state of the art technologies, making our guestrooms and suites ideal for your lifestyle. Natural, sustainable woods, warm earth tones and flawless details create the Dana hotel and spa.

Boutique luxury means you count at the Dana hotel and spa. Personalized service blends with modern technology and luxurious furnishings to create luxury boutique hotel services unlike other Chicago boutique hotels. Amenities include 24 hour room service, wireless high speed Internet, Spa and Dana, Vertigo Sky Lounge, valet parking, valet laundry, Private wine reserves, , rain showerheads, 37’ flat screen LCD TV’s, zeppelin mp3 media system, in room safes, luxurious bathrobes, all cotton terry bath towels, Keurig coffee makers, and 300 thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets.

Our staff will help direct you to all of the hottest Chicago restaurants and clubs and make sure your downtown Chicago experience is memorable and never forgettable. Our flawlessly executed guest experience makes the Dana hotel and spa a haven for the luxury jet setter and the selective business traveler.

Dana’s philosophy of wellness and individuality continues to the spa at Dana. Accessible and inviting services are tailored to meet your unique needs/ Between meetings or for a weekend away in room or in spa we welcome you to relax, rejuvenate and be inspired at the spa at Dana.

Stop by Aja and enjoy an organic mixture of textures, imagery and sound. Tasteful, harmonic and humble in its confidence. The brainchild of chefs behind the scenes of such notable dining successes as Morimoto, Buddakan, Spice Market and Nobu. Ambiance neither overwhelms nor fades. Only the Dana boutique hotel and spa provides the ideal setting for gathering and culinary gratification.
 

Tranquil Suite with balcony

Reservation #9999999

(Note - if booked directly with Dana Hotel and Spa, receive a $10.00 food and beverage credit for breakfast, in room mini-bar stocked with well priced wine at additional cost)

Courtesy / reservation desk is located on the second floor

Check-in @ 3:00 p.m.; Check-out @ 11:00 a.m.

Pre-purchase Dana Spa gift certificate for $100.00 and received complementary $25.00 gift certificate

Dana Spa online appointment booking

Reservation #8888

312.202.6040

http://www.danahotelandspa.com/spa/index.cfm

Transforming Resurfacing Facial at 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Classic Swedish Massage at 3:40-4:30 p.m.

Depart hotel for shopping on State Street and Magnificent Mile

State Street Shopping

Magnificent Mile Shopping http://www.themagnificentmile.com

A detailed map of the downtown area (including Dana Hotel and Spa)

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/images/uploads/magmile-shopping-2010.pdf

 

The 900 shops on Michigan Avenue

http://www.shop900.com/directory

900 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

312.915.3916

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(Note - hours may vary, customize your visit with planning your itinerary; this will allow you to click on each store you would like to visit and add it to your itinerary. You will then be provided with your itinerary which will state which stores on each floors that you would like to visit http://www.shop900.com/myvisit

Garrett Popcorn

Must take home (if it makes the train ride)

http://www.garrettpopcorn.com

625 N Michigan Ave

312.944.2630

(Note - The Chicago Mix - Carmel Crisp & Cheese Corn is top rated; usually expect long lines)

Stop at wine and cheese bar:

ENO at the InterContinental Chicago

505 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

800.628.2112

http://www.icchicagohotel.com/dining/eno.cfm

http://www.enowinerooms.com

Return shopping purchases to hotel and continue to:

Carriage Ride

Antique Coach Carriage Company
700 North Michigan Avenue

Southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Huron Street

http://www.antiquecoach-carriage.com/tours.html

Reservations: 773.735.9400 / 312.787.1349

(Note - $40.00 per half hour; $80.00 per hour)

 

Reservations at John Hancock Signature Lounge at the 96th at 9:00 p.m.

http://www.signatureroom.com/Signature-Lounge

96th floor
875 N Michigan Avenue (between Chestnut Street and Delaware Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60611

312.787.9596

Take the elevator in the lobby of the Hancock Building to the “Signature Room” up to the lounge. This is located off Michigan Avenue.

(Note - make sure you request a window table; ladies - make sure you check out the ladies restroom - sorry guys)

Lounge Dining Menu http://www.signatureroom.com/Signature-Lounge/Lounge-Dining-Menus

Specialty Cocktails Menu http://www.signatureroom.com/Signature-Lounge/Specialty-Cocktails-Menu

Wine List http://www.signatureroom.com/Cuisine/Wine-List/Sparkling

Return to hotel

 

DAY TWO

Walk to Navy Pier

Visit Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park en route

541 North Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611

The Buckingham Fountain, located in Grant Park, is one of Chicago's most popular attractions and one of the largest fountains in the world. It was opened in May of 1927. The four sea horses you see on its sides represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.


The fountain operates from approximately April 1 to November 1 each year and runs from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm each day. (It is also stated that The Fountain runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, typically from April to mid-October, depending on weather. Times are subject to change when large events take place in or around Grant Park. While in operation, every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the Fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. Beginning at dusk, every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the Fountain's major water display is accompanied by a major light and music display. The final display of the evening begins at 10:00 p.m.)

Every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. At dusk, the fountain's hourly major water display is accompanied by lights and music.


The fountain's water capacity is 1.5 million gallons. Depending on wind conditions, major displays use approximately 14,100 gallons of re-circulated water per minute conveyed through 134 jets. The fountain contains 820 lights.

 
Walking Direction:

Depart Dana Hotel and Spa South Towards East Erie Street

Turn left onto East Ohio Street (Comfort Inn is on the corner)

Turn right onto North Fairbanks Court (Doubletree is on the corner)

(the last intersection is East Ohio Street - if you reach East Grand Avenue, you have gone too far)

Arrive at Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park (.6 miles, apx 11 minutes)

Continue South on North Fairbanks toward East Grand Avenue

Turn left onto East Grand Avenue (Embassy Suites on corner)

Continue to Navy Pier (the last intersection is North Streeter Drive)

(this too is .6 miles, apx 11 minutes; total one way walk will talk apx 22 minutes)

Navy Pier http://www.navypier.com

600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

312.595.7437

Odyssey Champagne Brunch Cruise

http://www.odysseycruises.com/Chicago/home

866.573.9233 / online reservations

Navy Pier 600 E Grand Avenue

Chicago, IL 60611

Brunch Menu http://www.odysseycruises.com/Chicago/brunch

Boarding begins at 11:15 a.m.

Departs: 12:00 p.m.

Duration: 2 hours (return at 2:00 p.m.)

(Note - departs from the South side of Navy Pier; please note dress code attire - Lunch, Brunch or Moonlight Cruises: We recommend dressy-casual attire, such as nice slacks & collared shirts. We prefer no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip-flops are worn on any cruise. http://www.odysseycruises.com/Chicago/frequently-asked-questions )

 
Explore more of Navy Pier and shopping while returning towards Dana Hotel and Spa

Fox & Obel

http://www.fox-obel.com

401 East Illinois
Chicago, IL 60611

312.410.7301

Hours: 6:00 a.m. - Midnight; 7 days a week

A premier gourmet market and café including: breads, pastries, cheeses, wines, meats, and more.

(Note - if eating in back café, ask to sit in the “atria” - it has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Chicago River


Continue back towards Dana Hotel and Spa and visit Café Iberico for a late lunch

Café Iberico - Tapas

739 North LaSalle Drive
Chicago, IL 60610

312.573.1510

http://www.cafeiberico.com

Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

(Note - large portions - stick to ordering tapas and drinks; no reservations accepted on Friday or Saturdays; usually a bit on the louder side and crowded spaces yet a great place to casually visit; very reasonable prices, wait to get seated on the first floor - not in the downstairs area; the paella is excellent!)

Directions:

From Dana Hotel and Spa, go North to West Huron Street and turn left

Continue past North Dearborn Street and North Clark Street to North LaSalle Blvd. and turn right

Continue past East Superior and reach Café Iberico on right side (PRIOR TO West Chicago Avenue

  

Call ahead / order online at Pizzeria Due for take out pizza for train ride home

619 North Wabash Avenue

Chicago, IL 60611

312.943.2400

http://www.unos.com/

Take taxi to Union Station from Dana Hotel Spa at apx 5:30 p.m.

Departure: http://www.amtrak.com/

312.655.2066

307 Lincoln Service

Depart: 7:00 p.m., October 24

Arrive: 12:30 a.m., October 24

Duration: 5 hr, 30 min

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