Hotel at a Glance: Arlo Hotel

A thorough makeover of Chicago's 1912 Atlantic Bank Building turned it into the 4-star Arlo Hotel in 2018. The terra-cotta façade was restored by hand, and the landmark was topped with a modern addition. The style inside is while showcasing original 1912 elements: a black-and-white image of the building's original designer, Benjamin Marshall, is painted on a brick wall in the hotel's restaurant.

• In-room indulgences: Guests can relax in Frette robes while sipping espresso, and freshen up with Panpuri bath products as well as Frette 300-count linen and towels, made exclusive to Arlo Hotel.
• About Last Knife specializes in and chef-driven steak dishes, along with pun-heavy cocktails (coming soon)
• State-of-the-art gym with TRX Suspension Training gear and Peloton bikes that let riders stream live classes
• Praise from the press: Travel + Leisure named it one of Chicago's best new hotels and nominated it for one of 2019 World's Best. U.S. News & World Report awarded it one of the best hotels in 2020. Conde Nast ranked the hotel #5 on their top hotels in Chicago 2020 list.

Chicago's Loop: Historic Commercial Center with World-Class Museums and Parks

Named after the shape formed by the elevated train tracks that form its perimeter, The Loop is Chicago's downtown and the country’s second-largest business district. Skyscrapers such as the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the art-deco Chicago Board of Trade Building loom large here. They overlook waterfront parks, a glitzy theater district, and some of the world’s finest art collections.

The Art Institute of Chicago's gargantuan collection covers everything from marble busts to Grant Wood's American Gothic. Just north of the Art Institute, Millennium Park is known for both the Frank Gehry–designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion and for the sculpture Cloud Gate, known to Chicagoans as “The Bean” for its legume-like shape. Nearby Grant Park is dotted with several impressive attractions, including Buckingham Fountain, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. The city's public transportation system is among the country's best. Check out our guide to Chicago public transportation for helpful tips on navigating the city like a local.