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Chicago Your Way
Solo Travelers
Serenity Seekers
Family Finds
Exploring a city stag is always an adventure— and a fantastic exercise in independence—but it’s always fun to meet “vacation friends.” Nowhere is it easier to bond than at (1) Iron & Oar (2933 N. Halsted St.), a small-group rowing and weights class led by the ultra-personable Dan Hicks. It’s tough to not make a pal when you’re all being put through a grueling fitness wringer. Replenish your electrolytes over in Wicker Park at (2) Dove’s Luncheonette (1545 N. Damen Ave.) where all the seating is communal. Remember: It’s Chicago, not New York, the people are chummy here, so strike up conversation. Feeling competitive? Challenge some folks to old-fashioned arcade games like Donkey Kong and Cruis’n at (3) Headquarters Beercade (213 W. Institute), a high score is always a good conversation starter.
Nirvana is a place on Earth, and you can get there thanks to great spots across the city. Tune out literally everything at (1) Float Sixty, where, for one hour, you can float in an Epsom salt-filled sensory deprivation tank that is set to exactly your body temperature. Craving a different (drier) type of bath? Check out the gong baths at (2) Anatomy Redefined (1241 W. Madison St.) where they use sound therapy to relax your body and clear your mind. You can even combine the calming treatment with a Pilates class—there’s nothing better than a clear head and a strong core. The Soho House in the West Loop might be members-only, but its (3) Cowshed Spa (113-125 N. Green St.) is open to the public. Spend the day getting pampering treatments like the Skin Perfecting Facial or the Evening Primrose Body Wrap.
There's no better way to spend family time than that at these kid-approved locales. Be awed by Mother Nature at the (1) Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Canon Dr.), home to the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, a greenhouse full of more than 1,000 living butterflies. Channel your inner Bond at the espionage-themed (2) SafeHouse Chicago restaurant (60 E. Chicago Ave.). You'll need the password (don’t worry, no one has been turned away), but the payoff is worth it: SafeHouse was awarded Reader’s Choice Best Burger by Chicago Magazine. Journey to the prehistoric era at the (3) Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.), where Sue the T. Rex (the world’s largest, best-preserved and most-complete specimen ever found) greets you at the door and "Jurassic World: The Exhibition" transports you back in time.
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: ©DAN HICKS; COURTESY ONE OFF HOSPITALITY; COURTESY HEADQUARTERS BEERCADE; COURTESY FLOAT 60; COURTESY ANATOMY REDEFINED; COURTESY SOHO HOUSE CHICAGO; COURTESY PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM; COURTESY SAFEHOUSE CHICAGO; COURTESY THE FIELD MUSEUM
UNIQUE TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS, FIT TO MATCH YOUR PERSONAL STYLE. FIND THE CITY CURATED FOR YOU AT WHERETRAVELER.COM/CHICAGO.