Stay Steps From Grant Park, Millennium Park, The Loop,
& More

​Chicago is one of America’s most captivating cities, with striking architecture, fascinating museums, world-class shopping and delicious dining. From admiring the masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago to visiting The Bean in Millennium Park and cheering on the Bears at Soldier Field, there is something for everyone here. And thanks to our prime location right across from Grant Park, Hotel Essex Chicago places the best of the city right at your doorstep. Browse our list of popular area attractions below. You can also click here to see WHAT'S OPEN NOW?

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MCCORMICK PLACE

The largest convention center in North America, Chicago’s McCormick Place sits along the shore of Lake Michigan and consists of four interconnected buildings offering 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space.
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Distance from hotel: 1.6 miles

MILLENNIUM PARK

Millennium Park is one of the most celebrated public spaces in the world. Millennium Park is home to architect Frank Gehry’s landmark Pritzker Music Pavilion, and a wide range of public art including Sir Anish Kapoor’s breathtaking sculpture ‘Cloud Gate’ – known locally (and lovingly) as The Bean. 
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Distance from hotel: 0.8 miles

MAGGIE DALEY PARK

This park is recognized as one of the most innovative public spaces in the city. Offering a range of innovative attractions for young and old alike, including a climbing wall, skating ribbon, a children’s playground and more this 20-acre gem is a must see experience.
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Distance from hotel: 1.5 miles

GRANT PARK

Our hotel is right across the street from Grant Park, a large, lakefront park located just east of the Loop business district. Extending from Millennium Park to the Museum Campus, the park plays host to Chicago’s many music festivals and features the iconic Buckingham Fountain and the famed Art Institute of Chicago.
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Distance from hotel: 0.5 miles

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

One of the world’s most celebrated symphony orchestras, the CSO performs well over one hundred concerts each year at its downtown home, Symphony Center. You can also enjoy its performances at the Ravinia Festival on Chicago's North Shore.
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Distance from hotel: 1.2 miles

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Founded in 1879 and located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Along with many of the world’s most recognized art works, and international art exhibitions, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 million guests annually.
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Distance from hotel: 0.7 miles

MUSEUM CAMPUS

Chicago's Museum Campus, located in the South Loop, is home to the Shedd Aquarium, one of the premier aquariums in the country, the Field Museum, one of the world’s preeminent Natural History Museums, and home to Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils in the world, and Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, the first planetarium in the United States. 

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Distance from hotel: 1.8 miles

THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is one of the largest science museums in the world and home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.
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Distance from hotel: 6.6 miles

NAVY PIER

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Its many attractions include rides, games and amusements that feature the Centennial Wheel, which offer unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan from 200 feet up. There are also restaurants, cruises, live entertainment and more. 
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Distance from hotel: 2.6 miles

SOLDIER FIELD

Home to the National Football League’s Chicago Bears, Soldier Field is an American football stadium located in Chicago’s South Loop adjacent to the Museum Campus. 
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Distance from hotel: 1.3 miles

UNITED CENTER

United Center is an indoor arena located on Chicago’s Near West Side. The home to National Basketball League’s Chicago Bulls and the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center is also one of the city’s premier venues for live concerts and family-friendly events like Disney On Ice. 

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Distance from hotel: 3.6 miles

WATER TOWER PLACE

Located along the Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile®, Water Tower Place is a 758,000-square-foot shopping mall and 74-story skyscraper located along Chicago’s premier shopping district. 

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Distance from hotel: 2.0 miles

360 CHICAGO

Soaring 1,000 feet over Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO is one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, the lakefront and four neighboring states. ​

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Distance from hotel: 1.2 miles

SKYDECK CHICAGO

Journey 1,353 feet up into the tallest building in city then step out onto a glass-bottomed deck offering spectacular views of the city below. Skydeck features museum-quality interactive exhibits and fascinating theater presentations. 

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Distance from hotel: 1.2 miles