Things to do nearby: Magnificent Mile, Riverwalk, museums and more
Stay at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and you’re steps from Michigan Avenue shopping, the Chicago River and the Riverwalk — perfect for architecture boat tours and quick walks to Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building. Museums, Millennium Park and Navy Pier are all within easy walking or short transit distance, making the hotel a convenient base for first-time and repeat visitors.
In this guide
Magnificent Mile shopping and landmarks
The hotel sits at 505 N Michigan Ave with a designated entrance directly onto the Magnificent Mile, so Michigan Avenue shopping is literally a one-minute walk from the front door.
Flagship stores, boutiques, and the Shops at Northbridge are nearby; you can also step out to see the Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building within a few minutes on foot.
- Designated hotel entrance to the Magnificent Mile (1-minute walk)
- Shops at Northbridge: steps away
- Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building: roughly 1–5 minute walks
| Landmark | Typical walk time from hotel |
|---|---|
| Tribune Tower | About 1 minute |
| Shops at Northbridge | Steps away |
| Michigan Avenue Bridge | About 1–3 minutes |
Chicago Riverwalk and architecture boat tours
The Chicago River and Riverwalk are a short walk from the hotel (listed as about a 5-minute walk). The Riverwalk is a pleasant riverside route with restaurants, seating and access points for river activities.
Architecture boat tours depart near the hotel and are a common activity for guests who want a narrated look at downtown skyscrapers and bridges; the concierge can arrange or point you to departure docks.
- Chicago Riverwalk: roughly 5-minute walk
- Architecture boat tours: depart near the Riverwalk, book through concierge or local tour operators
- Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge) is nearby for river and bridge views
| Activity | How to book |
|---|---|
| Architecture boat tour | Ask the hotel concierge or local tour operators |
| Riverwalk stroll | Self-guided; entrances near Michigan Ave |
| Riverside dining | Restaurants along the Riverwalk or reserve ahead |
Museums, Millennium Park and cultural stops
Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago are within walking or short-transit distance; the Art Institute is commonly reported as about 1.2–1.3 miles away, roughly a 15–16 minute walk depending on pace.
Other highlights such as the Chicago Theatre, the 360 Chicago Observation Deck (John Hancock/360 Chicago), and Navy Pier are also reachable on foot or by a short bus/rail ride from the hotel.
- Millennium Park: roughly 11–13 minute walk (about 0.8–0.9 miles)
- Art Institute of Chicago: about 15–16 minute walk (roughly 1.2–1.3 miles)
- 360 Chicago (John Hancock): about a 10-minute walk
- Navy Pier: less than a mile; a short walk
| Attraction | Approximate distance/time |
|---|---|
| Millennium Park | 0.8–0.9 miles / 11–13 min walk |
| Art Institute of Chicago | 1.2–1.3 miles / ~15–16 min walk |
| Navy Pier | Less than 1 mile / a few blocks |
Dining options at the hotel and nearby
On-site restaurants include Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar (American steakhouse serving lunch and dinner), Casa Chi (Nikkei concept with sake-based cocktails) and Center Court (breakfast). An on-site Starbucks provides quick coffee service.
Reservations are accepted for Michael Jordan's Steak House and Casa Chi through OpenTable; the hotel also offers in-room dining from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM.
- Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar — dinner hours vary; reservations recommended
- Casa Chi — dinner and cocktail-focused, happy hour and weekend brunch events listed by the restaurant
- Center Court — breakfast hours daily (7:00 AM–11:00 AM weekdays; weekends to noon)
- Starbucks on-site with early-morning hours
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Michael Jordan's Steak House & Bar | Lunch & Dinner; bar open later |
| Casa Chi | Dinner; cocktail-forward menu |
| Center Court | Breakfast service |
Parks, lakefront and outdoor activities
Oak Street Beach and the Lake Michigan shoreline are less than a mile away; local sources note Oak Street Beach is reachable by walking north along Michigan Avenue and may be a 30–45 minute walk depending on pace.
Grant Park, Maggie Daley Park and other lakefront green spaces are a short walk or quick ride; check local park pages for beach hours and seasonal lifeguard coverage before swimming.
- Oak Street Beach: less than a mile; check Chicago Park District for beach hours and lifeguard supervision
- Grant Park & Maggie Daley Park: within about a 10–20 minute walk or short ride
- Lakefront activities vary seasonally — expect warmer, busier conditions in summer
| Outdoor spot | Notes |
|---|---|
| Oak Street Beach | Less than a mile; check current beach conditions |
| Grant Park | About a 10–15 minute walk |
| Maggie Daley Park | Within roughly 1.2 km of the hotel |
Practical tips: hotels rooms, pool, transport and accessibility
Room choices at the property include Classic Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite and multiple tower-specific types; rooms are spread across two towers often referenced as the Historic Tower and the Executive/Grand Tower.
The hotel’s indoor Junior Olympic-size pool is historic and family-friendly with 1920s Spanish Majolica tiles; the pool operates without a lifeguard on duty and children must be accompanied by an adult while using it.
- Check-in: standard 3:00 PM; check-out: standard 11:00 AM. Early/late options may be available for a fee.
- Pool hours are listed on the property page (IHG) and may vary; confirm current hours with the front desk — the pool has no lifeguard.
- Fitness center access is 24 hours; spa services operate within published hours and require appointments for treatments.
- The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle; CTA Red Line and taxis are common ways to reach the hotel from O'Hare or Midway.
| Service/Policy | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Check-in age | Primary guest must be at least 21 |
| Pet policy | Property listed as pet friendly with a fee; confirm specifics with the hotel |
| Parking | Covered valet parking available for a fee; no free self-parking |
