Tag Archives: State Street

The Ten Most Spectacular Holiday Events in Chicago 2012

There are plenty of glorious Holiday events in Chicago to keep you entertained this holiday season!

Add these Holiday Events to your 2012 Calendar:

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Wrigley Building in Downtown Chicago with Holiday Lights
English: John Hancock Center in Chicago, Illin...

English: John Hancock Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Winter Wonderland from Nov. 1 – Dec. 31st, 2012 at the

WHERE: John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago

I love the Winter Wonderland Holiday Train at the Hancock building! They are celebrating 40 years of festivities every weekend from 12-4pm.

2. Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

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The annual Winter WonderFest is presented by Bank of America. Enjoy 170,000 square feet of winter wonderland playground, with indoor ice skating, inflatable slides, rides and so much more!

Winter WonderFest is open Sunday through Thursday from 10am – 5pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am – 10pm! Special holiday hours include Christmas Eve from 10am – 5pm, New Years Eve and New Years Day from 10am – 8pm, and Winter WonderFest will be closed on Christmas Day!

WHEN: November 30, 2012 – January 6, 2013

3. Macy’s Christmas Displays at State Street, 111 N. State Street, Chicago

Macy's WIndows in Chicago 2012

Macy’s kicks off thPoinsetta Cocktail at Macy's in Chicagoe holiday season on the 7th floor in the Walnut Room with the annual Great Tree Lighting ceremony. Enjoy the spectacular Macy’s window displays.

Make a lunch reservation where you can have some pot pie and a “Poinsetta” cocktail with champagne and cranberry juice.

Tree at the Walnut Room at Macy's in Chicago

Ice skating

Ice skating (Photo credit: henry…)

4. Millennium Park Ice Skating

Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, Chicago

Located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets, the Millennium Park Ice Rink draws more than 100,000 skater annually. The rink is open to the public every day of the week and skating is free. Skate rentals are available.

  • WHEN: November 17 – January 8, 2013

5. Christmas Around the World

Night Time Aerial View of Downtown Chicago IL
 
Attend the 70th annual Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science & Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago

The Museum Rotunda has a 45-foot tree with 30,000 lights and 1000 ornaments. The glorious halls will be decked-out with holiday singers and dancers. Fifty trees are beautifully decorated by members of Chicago’s ethnic communities to represent global cultures. Enjoy intermittent falling snow and bask in the glow of sparkling ornamentation at this year’s Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light. Nov. 25 -Dec. 20th, 2012

6. Visit the Christkindlmarket at the Daley Plaza at 59 W. Washington with more than 50 food and craft vendors from November 30-December 24, 2012. Get a collector boot when you purchase some hot mulled tea or wine.

Christkindlemarket collector cup

Ornaments at Christkindlmarket in Chicago

Christkindlmarket Chicago 2012

 Louis Vuitton Purses7. Don’t miss the Louis Vuitton Window Display across from the Drake Hotel on Michigan Avenue! Then hop on the Antique Coach and Carriage at 700 N. Michigan for a lovely tour of Chicago.

The Lindbergh Beacon atop the Palmolive Buildi...

The Lindbergh Beacon atop the Palmolive Building can be clearly seen at night. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Capture Drake Tree

8. There are plenty of places for an afternoon Holiday Tea in Chicago. These are my favorites:

I love the Drake at Christmas time! Listen to the harp as you enjoy High Tea at the Drake Hotel at 140 East Walton every afternoon form 1-5 pm (312-787-2200). Sometimes you can catch a fashion show!

Capture High Tea at the Drake

Fashion Show at the Drake during Holiday Tea

Fashion Show at the Drake during Holiday Tea

Head over to the Peninsula at 108 E. Superior and bask in the glow of the lavishly decorated Lobby Restaurant. The tree is magnificent! For reservations call 312-337-2888.

Here’s a video where you can see the holiday decor: http://digitalads.bostaging.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wf/chicagoFinal_1.mp4

Here’s the Traditional Afternoon Tea Menu:

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If you’re not in the mood for High Tea, I suggest a Lobster Cobb Salad or a Burger smothered with mushrooms, grilled onions and bacon. You can wash it down with a Cadillac Margarita. That’s equally festive to me.

9. Get tickets for some Holiday Performances in Chicago:

See Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” Holiday Theater Production at the Goodman Theater at 170 N. Dearborn.

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Get tickets for Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” at the Cadillac Palace Theater at 151 W. Randolf through December 16, 2012.

See the Rocketts in Rosemont on Friday, December 14th at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at 5400 N. River Road. 847-671-5100

English: The Radio City Rockettes perform the ...

English: The Radio City Rockettes perform the March of the Wooden Soldier (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Auditorium Theater is transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at 50 E. Congress. 800-982-2787

It’s time to think about New Year’s Eve. Try an evening dinner cruise on Lake Michigan.

10. New Year’s Eve Fireworks Champagne Dinner Cruise – Odyssey

Start 2013 on the water! Come experience the spectacular Chicago skyline while taking pleasure in the ultimate cruising indulgence, the Odyssey! Enjoy a plated dinner menu, live entertainment and private seating. On this special cruise complimentary Champagne will be served throughout the boarding hour.

Capture christmas treeHappy Holidays from www.vino-con-vista.com

Christmas Cookies in Chicago

Capture Drake Soldier and Candy Cane

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Glamorama 2012 in Chicago

Attend Glamorama 2012 – The British Are Coming at the Chicago Theater on State Street for high fashion.

English: From top left: Downtown Chicago, the ...

English: From top left: Downtown Chicago, the Willis Tower, the Chicago Theater, the Chicago “L”, Navy Pier, the Field Museum, and Millenium Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chicago Theatre

Chicago Theatre (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WHEN: Friday, August 10, 2012 beginning at 8:00 PM

WHERE: he Chicago Theatre – 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL

After-Party hosted at Macy’s on State St.

TICKETS:

$125 Fashion Show with preferred seating and access to the After-Party

$235 Fashion Show with premier seating and access to the After-Party

$850 VIP Fashion Show with VIP seating, access to the After-Party and VIP Lounge

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Books and Apps @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Pick the Atwood Cafe for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

The Atwood Cafe at State and Washington in Chicago

I have to admit it, one of my favorite dining rooms in Chicago is the Atwood Café at 1 W. Washington. It is located at the corner of Washington and State Street.

I just love walking into the lobby of the landmark Hotel Burnham in the historic Reliance Building. I always feel like I’m going to the Columbian Exposition in “The White City.”

Images of Atwood & Burnham's Columbian Exposition in "The White City"

Upper facade

Image via Wikipedia

The venue is so appealing, that it’s like walking into the pages of Architectural Digest. I always admire the cozy fireplace, drapes, artwork and furniture. My favorite image is the fresco!

Hotel Burnham Lobby

Lobby of the Hotel Burnham

When I get to the restaurant, everything is always perfect. I adore the contrast of the colors in the dining room. The lavish Art Deco motif in the Dining Room is highlighted by a beautiful rasberry color on the soaring pillars of the Atwood Cafe. I wonder why I still haven’t used that gorgeous color on the walls in my house?

Atwood Cafe - Table 1

Pillars of the Atwood Cafe

Executive Chef Derek Simcik at the Atwood Cafe in Chicago

The cuisine at the Atwood Cafe owes its success to Executive Chef Derek Simcik. He is a world traveler who has lived in Tunisia, Japan and Germany. He graduated from the Art Institute of Washington and trained at Der Haussen in Vienna. He worked as a “Sous Chef and Pastry Chef at Washington DC’s noted dining hotspots Café Milano and The Grille at Morrison House.”  His innovative farm-to-table menu at the Atwood Cafe is a reflection of his worldly experiences.

Executive Chef Derek Simcik prepared an outstanding $44 three-course Dinner Menu for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 because he basically lets you pick whatever you want from the regular menu. I love this concept. Chef Simcik is dedicated to supporting local farmers and using organic and sustainable ingredients.

I haven’t seen this “whatever you want” option at the other resturants this year (although there are over 200 participating restaurants and I haven’t seen all the menus).

Follow this link to see your Atwood Cafe Restaurant Week Menu Options: http://www.atwoodcafe.com//files/menu/menu_45.pdf

Nice job Chef!!!

Atwood Cafe - Decor

Executive Chef Derek Simcik at the Atwood Cafe

For more information visit: www.atwoodcafe.com; call (312-368-1900) for reservations.

General Manager Duncan Clements (left) welcomes guests to the Hotel Burham

White City of the World's Columbian Exposition...

Image via Wikipedia

Send my regards to the friendly, courteous staff at the Hotel Burnham. You will love staying at this elegant and historic Kimpton Hotel Property in the Chicago Loop!

Book your reservation at www.burhamhotel.com or www.kimptonhotels.com

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

To learn more about the Reliance Building, read my “Related Article” below:

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Filed under Attractions in Chicago, Atwood Cafe in Chicago, Chicago, Chicago Architecture, Chicago Chefs, Chicago Restaurant Week 2012