Attractions

A Guide to the Windy City

The Chicago Hilton & Towers, host hotel of ABA TECHSHOW 2012, is located on the "Cultural Michigan Avenue Mile" overlooking Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and the Museum Campus. It is only a short distance from Chicago's downtown shopping and theatre district, often referred to as ‘the loop’ due to the elevated rail cars that circle the downtown area. 

Consider bringing the family and make a vacation of your time in Chicago.  Home of the newly elected President of the United States, the Windy City is second to none as a tourist destination.  Whether you love the night life or are looking for family friendly activities, Chicago has unlimited offerings. To help you plan an exciting time in Chicago, before and after ABA TECHSHOW 2012, we’ve prepared a listing to some of Chicago’s must see destinations.

Nearby

Google Maps for Restaurants Near ABA TECHSHOW

Find a Restaurant or Bar close to ABA TECHSHOW at the Hilton Chicago:

• Clicking on the name of a restaurant in the left column will automatically re-center the map on that location.
• Clicking on an icon on the map will bring up an info box for the restaurant with its address and, if available, reviews, photographs, hours, and more.
• You can also easily pull up directions using the map. Click on the icon for your starting location or your destination on the map, then click either “To here” or “From here” to bring up the direction dialog. Type in the address or name of the location you’ll be traveling to or from, and click “Go.” You may be taken to a list of possible address if the name you entered matches more than one option. You can adjust your directions to your mode of transport – car, public transit, or walking.
• Click and drag the little orange person icon (located above the zoom bar) onto the map to get a street level photo view of the city. Once the street view is open, clicking the restaurant names in the left column will automatically move the street view to that location. is located on the "Cultural Michigan Avenue Mile" overlooking Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and the Museum Campus. It is only a short distance from Chicago's downtown shopping and theatre district, often referred to as ‘the loop’ due to the elevated rail cars that circle the downtown area. 

Grant Park - Proudly referred to as Chicago's "front yard," Grant Park is across the street from the Hilton Chicago and is located between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. Grant Park is vast and encompasses a number of Chicago attractions including the Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute and Millennium Park.

Walking distance from the Chicago Hilton, the Museum Campus consists of the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Soldier Field.

The Art Institute of Chicago – contains more than 300,000 works of art and is a great way to escape Chicago’s changing seasons.

Sears Tower - The best view of Chicago and beyond from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.  Features exhibits of Chicago history.

Millennium Park – Demonstrates Chicago commitment to architecture, landscaping and the arts.

Broadway In Chicago – Information about Chicago's Downtown Theater District.

Navy Pier -  Chicago's lakefront playground.

The Magnificent Mile – refers to an eight blocks range of North Michigan Avenue starting at Randolph St. that includes over 460 exclusive stores and boutiques and fine dining at over 200 restaurants. Along the way you can enjoy some of Chicago’s famous architecture by boat, trolley or on foot. Here’s a link to a map to many shops within the district. 

Chicago Water Tower – A part of Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place features more than 100 stores and restaurants.

United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks

John Hancock Observatory – Located 94 stories above the Magnificent Mile, the top of this building provides some of the best views of Chicago's lakefront and downtown area.

About Chicago

Centerstage - Chicago's original online city guide

Gapers Block -  A site that asks you to slow down and check out all the cool things in the city, provides information on news and events around town.

Obama’s Chicago - Take an unauthorized tour of the President’s Chicago stomping grounds where Obama lived, worked and played before ascending to the presidency.

Obama's Favorite Restaurants – A review of the president’s favorite restaurants.

The Chicago Reader is Chicago’s alternative weekly paper chock full of the real deal about Chicago and its offerings.

Yelp...the definitive local guide in Chicago.  Real people, real reviews.

Chowhound Chicago is a user-driven site to discuss local dining recommendations

Metromix …your one-stop local entertainment guide on where to go and what to do in Chicago.

Choose Chicago – the official visitors’ site for Chicago

Sweet Deals Chicago is the premier toolkit for enjoying exclusive offers on world-class services, amenities and experiences you won't find anywhere else. Designed with you in mind, Sweet Deals, Chicago lets you leverage to the fullest our never-before-seen offers.

Visitor Passes are a cheap and easy way to get around and take advantage of Chicago’s world class public transportation system.  Get a 1-Day CTA Fun Pass for $5.75 or the 3-Day CTA Pass for $14.  Many attractions are a single train or bus ride away from the Chicago Hilton & Towers, host hotel of ABA TECHSHOW 2012.

Cheap Chicago – Money saving ways to see the city

The Go Chicago Card - your pre-paid ticket to Chicago's best museums, tours, and attractions.  Skip the lines at Chicago’s most popular destinations or return to your favorites one more time.

Daily Deals – Collection of daily low cost entertainment deals you can choose by type and location (Downtown, Magnificent Mile, etc.)

Chicago Architectural Foundation tours – by foot, by boat, or by bus you can tour the city and suburbs while learning about Chicago’s wonderful architecture including masterpieces from Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Mies van der Rohe

John Hancock building's Signature Room - the top of the John Hancock Center provides a great view of Chicago's lakefront and downtown area. For the cost of a drink you can take in the Chicago skyline from the top of the John Hancock building's Signature Room lounge.

Family Friendly

Explore Chicago :  The City of Chicago’s Official Tourism Site

Chicago CityPass – Visit 5 Chicago attractions for $59!

Lincoln Park Zoo - is free and it's open year-round.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.

For Culture Vultures

Theatre In Chicago - features listings, news, reviews, and pre-theatre dining suggestions for current shows and future productions in the Chicago area.

Chicago Museums – A one stop collection of information regarding Chicago’s great museums.