Sorry, Frank, for butchering your song, but it's true. Chicago really is an event kind of town!
During the last week of April, I visited Chicago on vacation. While I had intended for the entire five day trip to be a leisurly vacation, it seemed I couldn't avoid the event business anywhere in Chicago. Not that I minded; in fact, I loved it! I was able to tour some incredible event spaces in venues ranging from hotels to zoos.
The Gold Room in the Congress Plaza Hotel
I stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel during my stay in Chicago. While my photos don't do this room the justice it deserves, this ballroom is gorgeous! When the gentleman let me in to see the room, all the lights were still out. I walked into the center of the
room just as the light were coming on, and I caught my breath. The room is that beautiful. I felt like I was in a fairytale. The entire room is gold and cream, with intricate details all along on the walls that ceiling. If you ever get a chance to see this space, take it! You won't regret it.
The Gold Room is available for weddings and can hold up to 300 people. For more information on the Gold Room, click here.
During the last week of April, I visited Chicago on vacation. While I had intended for the entire five day trip to be a leisurly vacation, it seemed I couldn't avoid the event business anywhere in Chicago. Not that I minded; in fact, I loved it! I was able to tour some incredible event spaces in venues ranging from hotels to zoos.
The Gold Room in the Congress Plaza Hotel
I stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel during my stay in Chicago. While my photos don't do this room the justice it deserves, this ballroom is gorgeous! When the gentleman let me in to see the room, all the lights were still out. I walked into the center of the
room just as the light were coming on, and I caught my breath. The room is that beautiful. I felt like I was in a fairytale. The entire room is gold and cream, with intricate details all along on the walls that ceiling. If you ever get a chance to see this space, take it! You won't regret it.The Gold Room is available for weddings and can hold up to 300 people. For more information on the Gold Room, click here.
The Chicago Cultural Arts Center
The Chicago Cultural Arts Center on Michigan Avenue was originally build as Chicago's first public library. Now the building holds hundreds of public events every year. While I was visiting, a free concert was taking place on the ground floor of the building with an art exhibit in the next room over.
I was given a tour of the building by a member of the Chicago Greeter program, a free program offered by the Chicago Office of
Tourism. The architecture in this building is amazing. The G.A. Rotunda features a domed ceiling made of Tiffany glass. It's absolutely gorgeous! The venue also has a stunning marble staircase that demands a grand entrance. I was wearing jeans and sneakers but couldn't resist the urge to walk slowly and majestically down this staircase...even if I looked crazy doing it. I know that in a formal dress, that walk would have looked stunning.Information about the G.A. Rotunda can be found here. This link includes the history of the room and information 0n the gorgeous glass art featured in it. To find out about renting areas in the Chicago Cultural Center for a private event, click here.
The Lincoln Park Zoo 
First of all, I love zoos. I visited the Lincoln Park Zoo initially to see the polar bear, big cats, and red panda...to name a few. Come to find out, you have actually hold an event in various parts of the zoo, surrounded by the animals.
The Kovler Lion House, home of lions, a tiger, and a cheetah, is one of locations in the zoo that offers event space. How cool would it be to hold your reception while a pair of lions watches from the background? In addition to the animals, the building the large cats are housed in is gorgeous. The architecture is almost as interesting as the animals.
First of all, I love zoos. I visited the Lincoln Park Zoo initially to see the polar bear, big cats, and red panda...to name a few. Come to find out, you have actually hold an event in various parts of the zoo, surrounded by the animals.
The Kovler Lion House, home of lions, a tiger, and a cheetah, is one of locations in the zoo that offers event space. How cool would it be to hold your reception while a pair of lions watches from the background? In addition to the animals, the building the large cats are housed in is gorgeous. The architecture is almost as interesting as the animals. If you prefer an exhibit of plant eaters, the Lincoln Park Zoo has options for you too. The Regenstein Center for African Apes allows you and your
guests to be immersed in the habitat of endangered gorillas and chimpanzees. Additionally, the Regenstein African Journey contains animals from the African jungles and savannahs. The giraffes are in this exhibit, along with a pygmy hippo and a rhinoceros.All of these exhibits are incredibly interesting to explore. I had a blast going through them! Spend a Saturday afternoon at the zoo (admission is free!), or find out about having an event in one of the zoo's many venue options here.
Navy Pier
This place is just cool, event space or not. Navy Pier is a "must see" place in Chicago housing the Chicago Children's Museum, Shakespeare Theater, and Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. The Pier also houses a beautiful ferris wheel that offers amazing views of the city, which is what immediately made me fall in love with this space. I adore
ferris wheels and have always wanted to have my own wedding photos taken on one. I visited the pier at night, and the view of Chicago from the top of the ferris wheel was absolutely breathtaking. In addition to the ferris wheel, the Pier has a mini golf course, swings, and a carousel.
While I was visiting, an event as going on in the Grand Ballroom. You can see Lake Michigan and the ferris wheel from inside this domed, glass room. I didn't get to tour this space, but from what I could see from the ferris wheel and swings outside the Ballroom, it looks like an amazing space. The Pier offers venue space for weddings, meetings, and rooftop receptions with a full listing here.
I saw several other awesome venues while in Chicago - too many to fit in one post. Part 2 of "Chicago Is...An Event Kind of Town!" is coming later this week with even more Chicago event spaces.
This place is just cool, event space or not. Navy Pier is a "must see" place in Chicago housing the Chicago Children's Museum, Shakespeare Theater, and Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. The Pier also houses a beautiful ferris wheel that offers amazing views of the city, which is what immediately made me fall in love with this space. I adore
ferris wheels and have always wanted to have my own wedding photos taken on one. I visited the pier at night, and the view of Chicago from the top of the ferris wheel was absolutely breathtaking. In addition to the ferris wheel, the Pier has a mini golf course, swings, and a carousel.While I was visiting, an event as going on in the Grand Ballroom. You can see Lake Michigan and the ferris wheel from inside this domed, glass room. I didn't get to tour this space, but from what I could see from the ferris wheel and swings outside the Ballroom, it looks like an amazing space. The Pier offers venue space for weddings, meetings, and rooftop receptions with a full listing here.
I saw several other awesome venues while in Chicago - too many to fit in one post. Part 2 of "Chicago Is...An Event Kind of Town!" is coming later this week with even more Chicago event spaces.
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