The highly anticipated St. Regis Chicago debuts in May, exciting new restaurants open in Willis Tower and Symphony Center, the Museum of Science and Industry features a can’t-miss exhibit, and two Chicago hotels are named among the 50 best in the U.S.

The St. Regis Chicago hotel debuts

The St. Regis Chicago rendering
The St. Regis Chicago rendering

May brings the long-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Chicago, the city’s third-tallest building at 101 stories. It’s also the world’s tallest building designed by a woman — renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang. The 159-room luxury hotel offers sweeping views of the Chicago Riverwalk, an indoor pool, a spacious spa, and an outdoor sundeck. Dining includes elegant Japanese- and Italian-inspired restaurants.

Learn more about The St. Regis Chicago.

The Willis Tower welcomes a new restaurant

Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails ©The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group
Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails ©The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group

Groups have a new place to eat and mingle in the Willis Tower. Highlights of the two-story Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails include live-fire cooking in a show kitchen and a sprawling outdoor terrace with downtown views. James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer’s menu features wood-fired dishes such as salmon, rotisserie chicken, and lamb chops.

Learn more about Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails.

Forte hits a high note at Symphony Center

Forte at Symphony Center offers convenient pre-concert dining at the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Contemporary Mediterranean specialties include lamb meatballs with feta and pan-roasted tuna. Manjari, a signature dessert, is a flourless chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse.

Learn more about Forte at Symphony Center.

The MSI features one of the year’s top 10 exhibits

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) made Lonely Planet‘s list of the “top 10 best exhibitions not to miss in the USA in 2023.” The Mold-A-Rama: Molded for the Future exhibit, open through late 2023, features colorful plastic novelty souvenirs from the past, beginning with the 1962 World’s Fair. Visitors can use eight Mold-A-Rama™ machines to make their own figurines of MSI-themed favorites, such as a baby chick, train, robot, and more.

Learn more about the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Peninsula Chicago ©Adam Alexander Photography

Two of the USA’s best hotels are in Chicago

Two Chicago hotels made U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2023. The Peninsula Chicago is known for its gracious service and rooftop lounge with Magnificent Mile views. The Langham, Chicago offers outstanding dining and a prime location along the iconic Chicago River.

Learn more about The Peninsula Chicago and The Langham, Chicago.