Categories: Family-Friendly
McCormick Place
Author: Ryan Corazza
As the nation’s largest convention center at 2.2 million square feet, Chicago’s McCormick Place houses much more than just space for exhibitions. Restaurants, theatres, a hotel and even a massage break room grace the inside of this Lake Shore Drive establishment. Erected in 1960, the original center was destroyed in a 1967 fire. In 1971, McCormick Place was rebuilt and several additional buildings have been added to the original structure in the past three decades - paving way for the massive building it is today.
About McCormick Place
McCormick Place houses three separate buildings on its campus – the Lakeside Center (home to the Arie Crown Theater), the North Building, the South Building - with a fourth - the West Building - currently under construction. Popular conventions run yearly at the center such as the Chicago Auto Show, Spring Fancy Food Show and the Chicago Marathon expo. A Hyatt Regency Hotel also resides inside the complex.
McCormick Place Parking
McCormick Place has two main parking lots, both of which are close to the convention complex. If you’re looking to get inside the Lakeside Center head to Lot C just east of Lake Shore Drive on Ft. Dearborn Drive. It’s an underground lot with 1,900 parking spaces. If you’re heading to the North or South Buildings, Lot A, a six-level garage with an adjacent surface lot, is your best bet. It’s located directly across from the Grand Concourse/Gate 4. Both lots cost $16 a day.
McCormick Place Dining
If you’re looking to venture outside the complex for a meal, here’s a list of hot spots within close proximity in the South Loop.
Check out places of interest near McCormick Place:
Aria Restaurant
200 N. Columbus Dr.,
Chicago, IL 60601
A top Chicago restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine at The Fairmont Chicago hotel, Aria has proven that it's here to stay. Currently under the leadership of chef de cuisine Leon Gunn, the kitchen here serves a menu that's bursting with cultural influences from around the world.
Bongo Room
1152 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
Serving breakfast and lunch, this sibling to the popular Wicker Park location serves omelets, breakfast burritos and upscale flapjack offerings such as the “Oreo cookie” for breakfast. If you’re looking for lunch, seasonally inspired salads and sandwiches highlight the menu.
Brazzaz
539 N. Dearborn St,
Chicago, IL 60610
Servers at this River North Brazilian steakhouse carve some 16 varieties of meat tableside.
Chicago Firehouse
1401 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
This American eatery is located in a landmark-designated early 1900s firehouse, and serves specialties such as mango and chili barbecued pork chop, a blue-cheese crusted rib-eye and slow-cooked pot roast.
Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60616
Cuatro’s menu features Latin American and Caribbean dishes, earth tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and an eight-foot aquarium full of tropical fish. If you’re stopping in for dinner, Live Latin jazz bands and DJs are slotted for entertainment most nights.
Eleven City Diner
1112 S. Wabash,
Chicago, IL 60605
This restaurant has the feel of an old-school diner, with its hand-sliced corned beef, brisket and pastrami and countermen who have worked at long-shuttered Chicago delis. The menu features chopped liver, knishes, lox, matzo ball soup and latkes.
Gino's East
162 E Superior,
Chicago, IL 60611
This is the original location of Gino's East, the now-famous Chicago-style pizza restaurant chain.
Gioco
1312 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
This rustic Italian haunt features menu choices such as ricotta and spinach tortellini with butter, sage and pecorino, oven-roasted striped bass with potatoes and rapini, and veal scallopini. Enjoy the restaurants exposed brick, velvet curtains, dramatic artwork, open kitchen display and seasonal walkway café.
Grace O'Malley's
1416 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
This South Loop restaurant and bar is named after the legendary Irish chieftain and pirate, and the decor features loads of dark wood with touches of Ireland. The menu offers choices like fish and chips, shepherd's pie and Irish blue cheese-crusted pork loin, plus lighter fare like burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Horseshoe Hammond Casino
777 Casino Center Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Already the premier gambling facility in the Midwest, the Horseshoe Hammond Casino has stepped it up a notch with a serious expansion happening summer of 2008. Check out the new 3,300-seat entertainment facility, The Venue. Choose from a wide range of tables and slots, plus entertainment and dining options here.
Jack Binion's Steakhouse
777 Casino Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Jack Binion's Steakhouse, located inside the Horseshoe Hammond Casino, offers gamblers and non-gamblers alike a fine dining experience feature choice cuts of prime rib, steak and veal, as well as an opulent variety of fresh seafood.
Opera
1301 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
This Chinese joint features a flashy interior, fit with vibrant décor, custom-made light fixtures, plush drapes and exotic wall treatments. Contemporary flair adds spice to Chinese classics on the menu. Entrees include a whole steamed red snapper, a trio of Peking duck and inspired versions of kung pao chicken and beef broccoli.
Sixteen
401 N. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Located on the16th floor of Chicago's new Trump International Hotel & Tower, Sixteen offers gorgeous city views and the modern American Cuisine of Chef Frank Brunacci.
Smith & Wollensky
318 N. State St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This steak location is a Chicago outpost of the New York-based steakhouse chain, which specializes in on-premise dry-aged beef, with choices like a bone-in rib-eye and porterhouse.
Spirit of Chicago
Navy Pier,
Chicago, IL 60605
Take in breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline aboard this luxury liner. Afternoon or evening, experience the city from the waters of Lake Michigan in a social setting.
The Gage
24. S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60603
The Gage offers high-end Irish fare with a touch of elegance and class. Located near Millenium Park, this restaurant offers traditional Irish foods along with all-American favorites.
Zapatista
1307 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60605
A newer addition to the trendy South Loop neighborhood, Zapatista offers affordable, authentic Mexican dishes wrapped inside a romantic atmosphere. The restaurant offers traditional dishes such as burritos, tacos and fajitas, as well as more adventurous meals like striped bass with ancho chile salsa and grilled chicken with mole poblano sauce.
Garrett Popcorn Shop
4 East Madison Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60602
Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.
Kaehler Travel Works
900 N. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Every necessity and nicety for the traveler, from luggage to neck pillows.
The Golden Triangle
330 N. Clark ,
Chicago, IL 60610
Asian furnishings and accent pieces are preciously organized at The Golden Triangle, a major purveyor of such goods in the Chicago area.
Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60616
Cuatro’s menu features Latin American and Caribbean dishes, earth tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and an eight-foot aquarium full of tropical fish. If you’re stopping in for dinner, Live Latin jazz bands and DJs are slotted for entertainment most nights.
The Gage
24. S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60603
The Gage offers high-end Irish fare with a touch of elegance and class. Located near Millenium Park, this restaurant offers traditional Irish foods along with all-American favorites.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60604
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the heartbeat of Chicago. The CSO has numerous concerts and special events throughout the year. See the full list at their website. Tickets range from $10 to $200.
Horseshoe Hammond Casino
777 Casino Center Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Already the premier gambling facility in the Midwest, the Horseshoe Hammond Casino has stepped it up a notch with a serious expansion happening summer of 2008. Check out the new 3,300-seat entertainment facility, The Venue. Choose from a wide range of tables and slots, plus entertainment and dining options here.
Jack Binion's Steakhouse
777 Casino Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Jack Binion's Steakhouse, located inside the Horseshoe Hammond Casino, offers gamblers and non-gamblers alike a fine dining experience feature choice cuts of prime rib, steak and veal, as well as an opulent variety of fresh seafood.
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St,
Chicago, IL 60610
Millennium Park has become Chicago’s newest main stage attraction. Aligned with the city’s emphasis on architectural innovation, this 24.5-acre phenomenon integrates historical significance with contemporary style from a number of international players. It is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north and Monroe Street to the south.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore Dr,
Chicago, IL 60637
The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the most beloved and visited museums in the world, has origins that are tied to two great World's Fairs and to civic spirit and imagination of Chicago businessman Julius Rosenwald.
Mystic Blue Cruises
Navy Pier,
Chicago, IL 60605
Mystic Blue Cruises operates in Chicago on Lake Michigan, offering two-hour lunch, 90-minute mid-day skyline, three-hour dinner and two-hour moonlight cruises. Year-round, weather permitting. Tickets $30-$150. Private charters for 20 or more passengers.
Seadog Speedboat Rides
Navy Pier,
Chicago, IL 60605
Take a thrilling cruise along the Chicago lakefront in a high-powered vessel from Seadog Speedboat Rides. Take either a 30-minute lakefront cruise or a 75-minute river architectural cruise on the 130-passenger speedboat. Lakefront cruise: every half hour.
Soldier Field
1410 South Museum Campus Drive,
Chicago, IL 60605
Historic home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field is sacred space to Chicago's legions of Bears fans.
Spirit of Chicago
Navy Pier,
Chicago, IL 60605
Take in breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline aboard this luxury liner. Afternoon or evening, experience the city from the waters of Lake Michigan in a social setting.
Comfort Inn
15 E. Ohio St.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Right in the middle of the bustling Mag Mile, this affordable hotel takes care of the basics and leaves you free to roam one of the busiest streets in the country.
Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites Downtown Chicago River North
410 N. Dearborn St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This newly constructed hotel carries a Chicago baseball theme, with the north half of the hotel being Cubs-themed; the south half being White Sox-themed. The separate-but-connected lobbies are built for socializing, while efficient, affordable rooms are the real draw.
