Chicago’s hospitality industry is filled with new openings, renovations and developments that make Chicago the world-class destination that it is. Following is a sampling of these new developments, attractions and restaurants:
Attractions and Developments
Downtown hotel developments and renovations continue.
theWit, a 27-story, eco-friendly, boutique hotel opened to rave reviews in May 2009 offering guests a new experience blending the amenities of a resort with the flair of a boutique hotel. Set in the heart of the city, this hotel reflects the pulsing energy and vibrancy of Chicago offering access to theater, shopping, museums, green spaces and businesses.
The 26-story, 216-room Dana Hotel and Spa welcomes guests with an overall environment of inclusion and serenity while featuring sophisticated amenities such as the indoor/outdoor Vertigo Lounge, a premium sushi bar, and a sizzling Japanese steak house and sake lounge.
Hotel Felix, an eco-friendly, 225-room boutique hotel will enhance anyone's visit to Chicago while reducing the carbon footprint. The hotel presents upscale and intimate luxury accomodations that blend a comfortable elegance with inspiring natural elements.
One of the largest fountains in the world, Buckingham Fountain, and its surrounding pathways and landscape have undergone a $25 million renovation. Visit the famed icon and catch the impressive water display that takes place every hour for 20 minutes. Water is shot 150 feet into the air to create a majestic sight and is accompanied by a light and music display.
Chicagoans and visitors alike can spend a lively summer in one of the city's most popular destinations-Millennium Park. Now in its fifth full season, Millennium Park will offer a mix of free concerts, family programming, tours and open rehearsals, along with new events taking place throughout the Park. This summer, the acclaimed Grant Park Music Festival will return to the Park for its 75th season. Two new exhibitions will be on view -- "A Conversation with Chicago: Contemporary Sculptures from China" in the Boeing Galleries, along with the Burnham Pavilions, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the great Plan of Chicago, on the Chase Promenade South.
Theater
Chicago's theaters deliver award-winning plays and musicals.
The Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys continues to rock Chicago as an open run performance at the Bank of America Theatre.
Mary Poppins is back in Chicago this spring! Through July 12, 2009, fans of the original Broadway hit can view a performance at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The Tony-award winning play features the original Broadway stars, Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee. Combining the renowned Disney film and the original stories by P.L. Travers, audience members will be taken back to childhood with songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”.
Museums
Fans of the blockbuster Harry Potter movies will enjoy Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry through September 27, 2009. Featuring displays of props and costumes used during the filming of the movies, the exhibition allows visitors the opportunity to experience a piece of movie magic. Visitors will also get a first-hand look at items from the new movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due in theatres July 2009.
After a nine-month vacation, the Shedd Aquarium's Oceanarium animals have returned to their newly renovated home. Secluded Bay is one of the most popular exhibits in the Oceanarium, featuring seven beautiful beluga whales. New to this area is an expanded sea lion habitat and the ITW Foundation Beluga Trail featuring the South River with Pacific Northwest Fishes. Fantasea, the Shedd Aquarium's new aquatic show, will debut late summer 2009.
In May 2009, the Art Institute of Chicago unveiled its $300 million dollar construction project, the 264,000 square-foot Modern Wing. Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the Modern Wing is home to the Art Institute’s 20th century European painting and sculpture collections as well as contemporary art, architecture and design and photography collections. The Wing consists of three floors of galleries and features an outdoor sculpture terrace, a garden courtyard and the Nichols Bridgeway, a 600 foot long pedestrian bridge that links the Art Institute with the award-winning Millennium Park.