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Local & General Info
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Location:
Located on the corner of North Columbus and Lower lake Street, The Fairmont Chicago is a modern high-rise luxury hotel located only 2 blocks from the Navy Pier and 3 blocks from the Magnificent Mile. The city's finest downtown shops and boutiques, like Niketown, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, Grant Park, etc. are within walking distance, as are the financial/ business district and The Art Institute of Chicago.
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Areas Served:
Downtown Chicago, Financial & Business Districts, close to Cultural Attractions, Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile
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Area Airports:
O'Hare International, 20 miles, approx 30 minutes *Chicago Midway Airport, approx 30 minutes
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Directions from O'Hare Intl Airport to Hotel:
Located about a 30 minute drive from The Fairmont Chicago
Driving Directions:
From the Airport, Rockford, or Madison via I-90
Proceed Eastbound on I-90 into Chicago and exit at Ohio Street.
Proceed on Ohio Street to Michigan Ave. turn right on Michigan Avenue
Proceed on Michigan Avenue crossing the bridge to the second stop light after the bridge to South Water Street.
Turn left on South Water Street going up the ramp to the end of the street which is Columbus Drive.
Turn right on Columbus Drive to the Fairmont Chicago's main hotel entrance.
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Directions from General Directions to Hotel:
-From Interstate 90/94 (North/Southbound)
Exit at Ohio Street.
Proceed south on Fairbanks to South Water Street (2nd stoplight past the Chicago River).
Turn right and proceed to 1st stop sign.
Take a hard left and go up the ramp to Columbus Drive. The hotel is on your right.
-From Lake Shore Drive (Route 41)
North/Southbound??Exit at Wacker Drive.
Proceed to first stoplight and turn Left.
Drive one and a half blocks and the hotel front entrance is on the right side of the street, just past South Water Street.
-From Interstate 55
Northbound??Exit Lake Shore Drive North (Route 41).
Refer to Lake Shore Drive (above) for further directions.
-From Interstate 290
I-290 will end and become Congress Parkway.
Proceed 5 blocks to stoplight at South Water Street.
Turn left on South Water and proceed to 1st stop sign.
Take a hard left and go up the ramp to Columbus Drive intersection. The hotel is on your right.
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Old Chicago Water Tower:
Discover Chicago's history at the Old Chicago Water Tower. Located 9 blocks from the hotel (approx 10-15 minute walk).
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Navy Pier:
A Chicago Landmark since it opened in 1916, Navy Pier was originally designed as both a shipping and recreation facility. The Pier also served as a military training site during two world wars, as a venue for concerts and exhibitions, and as home to The University of Illinois - Chicago campus from 1946 through 1965.
Navy Pier has been developed into one of the country's most unique recreation and exposition facilities.
Offering something for everyone, Navy Pier encompasses more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions.
Visitors enjoy performances at the 1,500-seat outdoor magnificent Skyline Stage, the city's premier lakefront performance venue
Scenic rides on the giant 150-feet-high Ferris wheel and old-fashioned musical carousel in Navy Pier Park.
Tasty treats at the Pier's restaurants or in the Navy Pier Beer Garden
Breathtaking dinner cruises, tour boats and visiting vessels Fabulous large-screen movies at Loews Cineplex Navy Pier 3D Imax Theatre
Interactive exhibits at Chicago Children's Museum; and strolls along Dock Street, a pedestrian promenade which in the summer months features more than 40 vendors and entertainment daily.
The Pier also features the Crystal Gardens, a six-story, glass-enclosed botanical garden; and a historic Grand Ballroom, with an 80-foot domed ceiling.
Navy Pier is located on the city's lakefront and is accessible by public transportation or by car.
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Oprah Show:
10 Minute drive from Hotel
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Sears Tower:
Approx 1 mile from hotel / 25 minute walk
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River Cruise:
Sit back and take in the City's architectural splendors while enjoying a relaxing boat ride on the Chicago River.
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Art Institute of Chicago:
Approx 10 min walk from hotel
Enjoy exploring the museum's thousands of artistic masterpieces, spanning a millennium.
Within walking distance of the hotel
Considered one of the world's leading museums, The Art Institute of Chicago will meet any art lover's expectations.
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Blues and Jazz Music:
Chicago-style blues and exciting jazz are highlights of Chicago nightlife! Don't miss great blues at B.L.U.E.S. on North Halsted and fabulous jazz at The Metropole, located in The Fairmont Hotel.
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Some Chicago Events:
-AIR AND WATER SHOW
August
Please be advised that during the Air & Water show, you are unable to view the show from any rooms in our hotel.
The ONLY real view is from outside the hotel.
-VENETIAN NIGHT
Takes place normally in late July each year.
This event is an annual boat parade along the Monroe Harbour adjacent to Grant Park (approx. 10 min walk from the Fairmont Chicago Hotel).
It takes place in the evening (once it is dark) and the boats are decorated with various themes which float by the spectators on shore.
Following the boat parade there is a nice fireworks show. It's free to view. It's been around for years and is a nice outing.
Many people bring blankets and a picnic and enjoy the evening.
-MAY FEST CHICAGO / in May each Year
Fri. 5-10PM
Sat. 12-10PM
Sun.
1st annual May Fest at Lincoln & Leland Aves. Great food, beer dancing & German Gemuetlichkeit! Free admission. Prost!
-CHICAGO HALF-MARATHON
When: September 9th, 2001.
Where: Race is 13.1 miles -- Start & Finish line are in Grant Park, 10 minutes walk from CHI.
www.chicagohalfmarathon.com
-CHICAGO MARATHON
When: October 7th, 2001.
Where: Race is 26.2 miles -- Start & Finish line are in Grant Park, 10 minutes walk from CHI.
www.chicagomarathon.com
-FIREWORKS
There are fireworks that go on during the summer and they take place at Navy Pier (cannot see from hotel.)
July 4th fireworks take place in Grant Park on the night of July 3rd at nearby Grant Park (cannot be seen from hotel.)
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Annual Events:
-Jazz Festival / February each year
-Auto Show / February each year
-Arts and Crafts Festival(3 day event) / August each year
-A Taste of Chicago is an annual event that draws literally millions to Grant Park (a 2 block walk from the hotel). The festival lasts from June 29 - July 9th, from about 10 or 11am to 10pm daily.
There are hundreds of restaurants that each have a booth and sell samples of their specialty items (generally the restaurants are not your 5 star or even your 4 star places - mostly Chicago hang-outs that offer great food).
There are free music concerts, and a Ferris Wheel and lots of other activities, prizes to win, etc. There is no charge to get in, you just buy tickets that you turn in for food, beverages, etc. Music is all free.
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Things to do with Children in Chicago:
-CHICAGO'S CHILDREN MUSEUM
Address
700 East Grand Avenue at Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60611-3428
Tel: (312) 527-1000
Located only a 5 minute drive from The Fairmont Chicago!
For the following information:
Hours of Operation
Admission
Transportation, Parking and Location
Visit www.chichildrensmuseum.org/museum.html
-LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Address: 2200 North Cannon Drive
Tel: (312) 935-6700
Only 10 minutes from The Fairmont Hotel in Chicago
Home to more than 1,000 animals, all of them ambassadors for their species in the wild, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the last free zoos in the country.
For Zoo Hours, Location and Transportation, visit www.lpzoo.com
Admission is Free!
-FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed on Christmas and New Year's Day
Basic admission is $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 3-11,
seniors, and students with ID.
Free admission for Field Museum members, teachers, and military personnel with ID.
Wednesdays are free for all!
-MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
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. Rosenwald, then Chairman of Sears Roebuck & Company, was inspired by a 1911 visit with his son to the Deutches Museum in Munich. He returned to Chicago determined to create America's first center for "industrial enlightenment," a vehicle for public science education. With the help of other Midwest business leaders, Rosenwald restored and converted the Palace of Fine Arts, the last remaining major structure from the 1893 World's Fair, into a new type of American museum - where visitors could interact with the exhibits, not just view displays and artifacts. In 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry opened to the public, at the same time as the Century of Progress Exposition.
-AMERICAN GIRL PLACE
Call toll-free 1-877-AG-PLACE
or visit our concierge desk at American Girl Place??, 111 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago for more information or to make your reservations.
-SHEDD AQUARIUM
What is the best time to arrive at Shedd?
Arrive early - Shedd is a popular place, and it can get crowded, especially on weekends, in the summer and on holidays. Sunday mornings, when the Aquarium is least crowded, are a great time for family visits.
Do exhibits ever sell out?
Yes, some exhibits may sell out early in the day during busy seasons (especially on weekends, summer and holidays). Purchase tickets in advance to make sure you get in and to avoid potential lines.
How long should I plan for my visit?
The average visit lasts 2 ?? hours. Check out our new programs and family activities for the Oceanarium Turns 10 celebration
Can we bring a bag lunch?
Yes, tables are available in the vending area.
Can I take pictures?
Yes, but for the animals' safety and comfort, please turn off your flash everywhere but in the Oceanarium and restaurant areas. No tripods are allowed either.
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The Fairmont Chicago
