From October 14-17, McCormick Place in Chicago will become home to the 2025 NACS Show. For those who arrive early or stay through the weekend, here are ideas for excursions and places to dine.
Within a Mile(ish) of McCormick Place
1. Chicago’s Chinatown is about a mile west of McCormick Place. Do dinner DIY-style at Qiao Lin hotpot, where you cook your own meat and veggies in house-made broth right at your table. Or stop by Chiu Quon, the oldest Chinese bakery in Chicago, for one of the BBQ pork buns or an egg custard tart.
2. You probably know about deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, but what about Ricobene’s? The restaurant’s specialty is a breaded steak sandwich served with giardiniera, a spicy pickled vegetable relish.
3. You’ll find something for everyone at Fatpour Tap Works, a 10-minute walk from McCormick Place. Choose from dozens of beers, including rare bottles from local brewery Goose Island, or order from the curated specialty cocktail list. There’s also a family-style menu for large groups.
4. Home to more than 30,000 aquatic animals, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest in the world. Sharks, stingrays and beluga whales are among the star attractions. A short stroll from the Shedd Aquarium is Chicago’s iconic Buckingham Fountain, which "Married With Children" fans will recognize from the opening credits.
5. The Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium in the United States. Inside, experience a simulation of Chicago’s night sky, take part in interactive experiments and see the Gemini 12 space capsule once piloted by astronaut Buzz Aldrin. To visit, tickets must be purchaseed online.
6. Located just off the Canal Street bridge on the edge of the Chicago River, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp has been dishing up delicious fried seafood since 1950. Don’t skip the sides, especially corn fritters or pickle fries. The ambience might is bare bones, but that’s part of the charm.
7. For a complete change of pace, the McCormick Place Bird Sanctuary, a nine-acre urban oasis of native prairie and woodland, is just minutes from the convention center. It’s home to thousands of native and migrating birds.
Within 5 Miles of McCormick Place
8. Although it's no longer the tallest building in the world, the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) still provides stunning views of the city. At 1,451 feet, the skyscraper is the 26th tallest in the world and No. 1 in Chicago.
9. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a local who doesn’t suggest a Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) river cruise. Gain a new perspective on Chicago’s iconic skyline as trained docents from the CAC guide you through the history and lore behind buildings such as Marina City and the Tribune Tower.
10. The neighborhood of Pilsen was named for the Czech immigrants who lived there in the 19th century. Today, it’s the heart of Mexican-American culture in Chicago. Explore some of Pilsen’s most delicious offerings with a food tour highlighting the area’s diverse, family-owned restaurants.
11. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s palatial neoclassical building houses more than 2,000 exhibits dedicated to the past, present and future of technological advancement. Ride an elevator into a reconstructed coal mine, tour the only German U-boat in the United States and marvel at a man-made wind vortex in one of the great halls.
12. The Phoenix Pavilion was originally built to introduce Japanese culture to the United States at the 1893 World’s Fair. In 1935, the Chicago Park District made it the centerpiece of a traditional Japanese garden. Explore the Garden of the Phoenix and find a moon bridge, koi pond, cherry blossom trees and more.
13. If you want deep-dish pizza, ditch the crowds for Pizzeria Uno and head to its sister spot Pizzeria Due—same pizza, fewer people. Other locals say Pequod’s caramelized crust makes it the city’s top spot. Lou Malnati’s, with multiple downtown locations, is always a treat, even if you opt for the thin-crust pizza—which some say is better than the OG.
14. With more than 300,000 pieces in its permanent collection, including iconic works such as “American Gothic,” The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest art museums in the country.
15. Just north of the Art Institute in Millennium Park is Cloud Gate—known colloquially as The Bean—a stunning reflective sculpture that was unveiled in conjunction with the park’s opening in 2004.
16. Step back in time by spending an evening at the Chicago Athletic Association, formerly an exclusive, members-only club. The stunning 1893 building overlooks the lake and includes Cindy’s, a rooftop bar with incredible views, and the luxurious, wood-paneled Game Room.
17. Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood offers some of the best Italian food. Start your day with a cappuccino and filled-to-order cannoli at Scafuri Bakery. Tufano’s has been serving up old-school Italian favorites since 1930 (bring cash or pay with Venmo). Don’t miss Tuscany on Taylor’s happy hour, then stay for an entrée, which is complemented by warm bread and roasted garlic.
18. Get yourself in the Halloween mood with a visit to the Congress Plaza Hotel on Michigan Ave., considered one of the most haunted places in Chicago. Or make the trek to Resurrection Cemetery on Archer Avenue in Justice, Ill., where Ressurection Mary is known to hitchhike in her long-faded ball gown.
19. Visit the inspiration for Hulu's hit show "The Bear" with a visit to Mr. Beef in River North. The delightfully unrefined restaurant serves some of the best Italian beef in the city.
Within (and Right Outside of) Chicago
20. Plenty of places will serve you a Chicago-style hot dog, but few are as iconic as Superdawg. Where else can you see two 12-foot-tall anthropomorphic hot dogs? Order a Superdawg and crinkle-cut fries––still brought out to your vehicle by a carhop––and eat in the glow of the neon signs. Just don't ask for ketchup.
21. For an approachable and funny take on Shakespeare’s plays, head to the Lion Theater in Chicago’s Loop for a performance of Drunk Shakespeare. Five actors take on an abbreviated version of one of the Bard’s plays after one of the troupe consumes a copious amount of whiskey. Purchase a drink from your seat if you also choose to partake.
22. Architecture buff? Just outside of Chicago is the charming suburb of Oak Park, where famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright once had his home and studio. That structure is now a museum where visitors can learn about Wright’s evolution as a designer and the development of “the first uniquely American” architectural style.
23. Head north to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Not only is it one of the oldest in the United States, it’s also one of the only zoos that is free to visit.
24. Following a tip from his girlfriend, federal agents gunned down notorious gangster John Dillinger, America’s first “Public Enemy No. 1,” outside the Biograph Theatre in 1934. Today, colorful painted murals commemorate the site.
25. Second City Chicago, with alumni including Dan Aykroyd, Tina Fey, John Candy, Jordan Peele and Steve Carell, has made improv comedy synonymous with Chicago.