Luxury Meeting & Event Space near Lakeview Chicago
When you’re traveling for work, there’s nothing worse than feeling trapped in your hotel because there’s nothing else around. At Hotel Zachary, located in the heart of Lakeview, you’ll find dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes to visit at the end of the workday. Whatever type of meeting you’re holding, our facilities can accommodate your every need. Our Alma room and adjacent library can be configured for anything from a lecture to a networking event; the stylish decor and modern touches mean that you and your coworkers will be both comfortable and have anything you need right at your fingertips. For conferences and individual meetings, use one of our many other spaces, including the American Airlines Conference Center, to ensure that your guests are impressed. At Hotel Zachary, great dining is never far. Stop by The Bar for a cocktail and a quick game of pool before catching a movie at the historic Music Box Theatre, where you’ll find a mix of current independent movies and classic films. For dinner, we have something to suit every taste: grab a taco al pastor from Chicago favorite Big Star, or cool down with a scoop of brambleberry crisp or frosé sorbet from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Afterwards, catch some live music at nearby Kingston Mines, where some of the best blues musicians in Chicago perform every night. Then head back to Hotel Zachary for a restful night in one of our incredibly comfortable beds, and wake up refreshed for work the next morning!
Summer is Chicago’s best season, so outdoor activities are a must when you visit the city. Founded in 1868, our iconic Lincoln Park Zoo, just a quick bus ride from Hotel Zachary, is one of the oldest and most stunning in the country. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Michigan, the outdoor zoo, which is open year-round, is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. There are hundreds of animals to visit at the zoo, and even a few you can interact with and pet! Stop by to say hi to the baby Eastern black rhino as he explores his new habitat, or the new litter of red foxes in the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo. The ape center has three distinct habitats for its primate occupants, including a bamboo forest, a fig tree forest and a valley, where you can see chimpanzees and Western lowland gorillas eating and playing. If you’re in the mood for something chilly, visit the Walter Family Arctic Tundra, where you’ll often find Siku the polar bear swimming in his enormous pool to cool down. You can even get up close and personal with some new friends with the Penguin Encounter! And if you want an extra dose of animal education, don’t miss the daily activities like seal training, talks on great ape cognition and even how the zoo is teaching some of their primates to use touch screens! There’s something for everyone at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and it’s all within your reach when you visit us at Hotel Zachary.
Chicago is a music city, from the legendary blues clubs to the dozens of live performances at street festivals each summer. And if you’re looking for incredible music and a spectacular view, you can’t do better than the Grant Park Music Festival, just a few quick stops on the train from Wrigleyville. Classical music fans will love this year’s lineup, which runs the gamut from Brahms to Beethoven. The world-class Grant Park Orchestra will be performing an array of symphonies and concertos under the twinkling lights of the Chicago skyline. Several pieces, like the Beethoven Missa Solemnis, will also be accompanied by the talented singers of the Grant Park Chorus. Those in the mood for something more modern will enjoy the Gershwin performance by the Orchestra’s composer-in-residence Gabriel Kahane, and musical-lovers will go wild for The Envelope Please, an evening of songs from Grammy- and Tony-nominated musicals like The Lion King and Wicked. And if you want to dance, don’t miss an exciting performance by the Mambo Kings, who are sure to make even the most reluctant listeners want to boogie. If you’re sitting on the lawn, don’t forget to bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy while you take in the performance. Options from one of Hotel Zachary’s many restaurants, like Big Star’s signature al pastor tacos or the freshly baked “fun buns” at West Town Bakery, are perfectly portable and will make your concert experience that much more memorable. And when you get back to the hotel, don’t forget to stop by Jeni’s for a scoop of brambleberry crisp ice cream to top off the night!
Hot dogs, picnics and, of course, fireworks––who doesn’t love the Fourth of July? And with nearly twenty miles of lakefront, Chicago is one of the best places in the country to celebrate. The city goes all out with its festivities, and Hotel Zachary, located in the historic Wrigleyville neighborhood, is within arm’s reach of all of them. Things kick off in the morning with a parade at Independence Park. Games, kid-oriented activities and delicious food are all part of this family-friendly event. Get your face painted with the stars and stripes and let everyone see your patriotic side. One of the best ways to enjoy a summer day in Chicago is on the water. Whether you’re cruising down the Chicago River or setting sail on Lake Michigan, the city’s spectacular architecture and shoreline are best appreciated from a boat. If everyone in your group is of age, make reservations for one of the evening excursions with Odyssey Cruises, where you’ll enjoy dinner, cocktails and dancing before watching the fireworks over the lake. And of course, you can always just grab a blanket and head to the beach for an incredible show once the sun goes down. There are tons of great spots to get a good view of the fireworks, including Belmont Harbor, which is just a quick walk from the hotel! After the fireworks display, which usually lasts about half an hour, head back to Hotel Zachary for a quick nightcap at The Bar and raise your glass to the country’s 243rd birthday––cheers!
With its colorful floats and even more colorful participants, the Chicago Pride Parade, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, is one of the largest in the world drawing more than a million spectators every year. The parade winds its way through several Northside neighborhoods, making Hotel Zachary a perfect home base for all your Pride celebrations! This year, the parade will be held on June 30 at noon and expectations are high, as this is the 50th anniversary of Chicago’s first Pride celebration. And while the parade is the best-known and flashiest part of Chicago Pride Month, there are plenty of other events to check out. Check out the “Chicago Is A Drag” Festival on June 28. The event, hosted by two former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants, features local drag performers who represent a wide range of neighborhoods, styles and generations. If you’re feeling athletic, the “Proud To Run” race, which begins at Monstrose Harbor, has 5k, 10k and half-marathon options. Proceeds go to support local LGBTQ organizations. After a few days of the excitement and energy of Chicago Pride, you'll be ready to come back to a quiet, stylish room where you can relax and recharge. Hotel Zachary, with its modern amenities, rainfall showers and spacious accommodations, provides just the right amount of tranquility for anyone who’s here to help support our LGBTQ+ community. Join us in celebrating 50 years of queer culture in Chicago – we’ll be proud to have you here!
Chicago is known for many things, but one of its most enduring legacies is the blues. The unique “Chicago blues” sound developed in the mid-20th century, when African Americans began moving north from the Mississippi Delta region to look for factory work, bringing a distinct musical style with them. With its electric guitars and raucous energy, Chicago blues have been a staple of the city ever since. This year marks the 36th annual Chicago Blues Festival, and if you’re coming to town for the show, Hotel Zachary is the ideal place to stay. Held in beautiful Millennium Park on June 7-9, the festival is free to enjoy. Bring a blanket and a picnic and spread out on the wide green lawns of Millennium Park, where you’ll have a perfect view of the Chicago skyline. Acts include some of the biggest names in blues music today: Bobby Rush, who won the 2017 Grammy for “Best Traditional Blues Album,” will kick things off on Friday night with songs than span his 50-year career. The Jimmy Johnson Blues Band is not to be missed, as the day of the performance also marks Johnson’s 90th birthday. Things finish up with Ruthie Foster, a blues-folk performer who closes the festival on Sunday night. Millennium Park is a quick walk from the Red Line, making it fast and simple to return to your comfortable, stylish room at the end of the night. Back at Hotel Zachary, you can enjoy a gourmet meal, a nightcap at one of our cocktail bars or just rest up for another day of incredible Chicago music.
The red marquee over Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is one of the city’s most iconic sites. Ever since the team broke the Curse of the Billy Goat and won the World Series in 2016, Cubs tickets have been one of the hottest commodities in town. If you’re a baseball fan, taking in a game on your Chicago trip is a must. Lucky for you, when you stay with us at Hotel Zachary, you’ll be only a few steps away from taking part in this Chicago tradition. Wrigley Field was built in 1914 and has been home to several teams over the years, including the Chicago Whales, which, sadly, no longer exist. But it’s most closely identified with the Cubs, whose decades-long losing streak earned them the nickname “the Loveable Losers.” The rivalry between the north-side Cubs and the White Sox on the city’s south side is taken seriously, though all geographical divisions are forgotten when it comes to Chicago’s true nemeses, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cardinals. Even if you’re not a baseball aficionado, a visit to Wrigley has more than just sports to offer. Peanuts and crackerjacks are still available, of course, but the Cubs have stepped up their food game over the last few years. In addition to local craft beers like Goose Island, you’ll find fun options like the beef short rib disco fries, walking tacos, and even meat-free burgers and hot dogs. After the game, you can stop by the Cubby Bear, a Wrigleyville institution, to toast the team’s win or drown your sorrows. Or, swing by the Bar at Hotel Zachary for an extensive list of beer, wine and craft cocktails. From there, you’re just a stone’s throw away from your comfortable bed and luxurious amenities back at Hotel Zachary, where we’ll be celebrating or commiserating right along with you!
Chicago is known to have one of the most exciting dining scenes in the country, with everything from classic Italian beef joints to Michelin-starred spots like Alinea and Everest. And at Hotel Zachary in the heart of Wrigleyville, we’re close to it all. Just steps from your room you’ll find some of the best food in the city, as well as amazing craft cocktails, local beers and more. Stop by The Bar at Hotel Zachary to indulge in perfectly mixed drinks as well as light, global-inspired dishes to share. For classic American fare elevated to a new level, stop by Dutch and Docs. Chef Chris Pandel is putting his own twist on dishes like the crispy pork loin sandwich, served “Indiana style” with coleslaw and house-made barbecue sauce. Or go whole hog at Smoke Daddy for their signature combination of BBQ, beers and blues. This Chicago favorite has been serving up some of the best pulled pork in the city since 1994. For delectable dining just south of the border, head on over to Big Star, where they’ve got a long list of Mexican favorites including a wide variety of flavorful dishes and drinks. To get an all-American sports bar experience, take a trip to Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern, where they’ve always got good food, good brews and a whole lot of Wrigleyville style. If you’re a fan of baseball and delicious local craft brews, you’ll want to visit Lucky Dorr, a stylish baseball-themed bar housed in a modern warehouse-like setting. And for a little taste of old-school Chicago glamor, stop by Mordecai for a perfectly stirred Old Fashioned and dishes like their New York strip steak, served with grilled eggplant and smoked tomato vinaigrette. Don’t forget to stop upstairs at Hush Money, the neighborhood’s newest cocktail bar located above Mordecai, for a nightcap. After sampling all the food and drink that Wrigleyville has to offer, you might be ready to relax. When you are, your spacious, modern room at Hotel Zachary will be waiting. We can’t wait to see you – and to feed you!
With literally dozens of museums to visit, Chicago is one of the best cities in the world in which to learn and take in some history and culture. On any given day, you can see masterpieces from famous artists, prehistoric fossils, or even take part in a simulated space flight. When you stay with us at Hotel Zachary, you’re perfectly situated to visit all of these and more. The Field Museum is one of Chicago’s best-known attractions. Built to house attractions from the 1893 World’s Fair, it’s dedicated to biological and anthropological exhibitions that explore the natural world around us. Visit with Sue, our resident T-Rex, or walk through a recreated ancient Egyptian home. There’s even a Chinese rock garden where you can sit and relax. If you’re interested in art, the Museum of Contemporary Art downtown is a must-see. Check out modern pieces from famous artists like Jeff Koons, or the rotating series of works from the museum’s artist in residence. If you’re hungry, Marisol, the MCA’s restaurant and bar, serves some of the most colorful, creative food in the city. And no Chicago trip would be complete without a stop by the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. The stunning building was also built for the World’s Fair, and its iconic pillars and green dome make up one of the most recognizable facades in Chicago architecture. Don’t miss the DIY wearable circuit board exhibit, where you can make your own piece of fashionable technology, or the many films screened in the museum’s Giant Dome Theater. Your stay at Hotel Zachary will put you within reach of some of the most incredible learning experiences Chicago has to offer, so don’t miss out on the experience – we can’t wait to share it with you!
Chicago is a meat and potatoes kind of town – our signature food is the Chicago-style hot dog, after all. So it only makes sense that this carnivorous city would be home to Baconfest, a two-day extravaganza of all things savory, salty and smoky. And if you’re in town to attend, we’d love for you to make Hotel Zachary your home base for this serious pig-out event. Held on April 5-6 at the UIC Dorin Forum, 2019 marks the eleventh year for Baconfest Chicago, and this year more chefs than ever are participating. Friday night’s dinner runs the gamut from the creative Vietnamese concoctions from HaiSous, like a bacon-coffee coconut-slushie with crispy bacon on top, to the pretzel bacon bite with pimento cheese spread from Tap House Grill. Saturday’s lunch includes even more bacony options. Snack on the sounds-too-good-to-be-true bacon sushi from BITES asian kitchen + bar or try the salty-sweet combination of Nomi’s fried bacon hand pie, with strawberry, balsamic vinegar and goat cheese. And just in case that all wasn’t enough bacon for you, Saturday night’s dinner promises to top it all off with even MORE pork: the Guy Fieri-inspired offering from Good Measure includes applewood smoked bacon brandade-loaded baked potato things, bacon-jalapeno ranch and bacon fat fried potato skin crispies. End the night with some dessert – the maple bacon pecan pie from the Grill on the Alley, with bacon sable dough crust, maple and bacon pecan pie filling, rosemary meringue and candied bacon chips. By the end of the night, even the biggest bacon fan should be satisfied. With your ultra-comfortable bed and spacious room just a quick train ride away, Hotel Zachary is the perfect place for you to come back to at the end of Baconfest to relax, recharge and get ready for brunch – with more bacon, of course.
Few sights in Chicago are as iconic as its Magnificent Mile, the portion of Michigan Avenue that houses historical landmarks including the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, and the Chicago Water Tower. The buildings, which are all examples of classic Chicago architecture, are surrounded by some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. And when you stay at the luxurious Hotel Zachary, located in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, you’re just a 15 minute Redline train ride to all of it. Whether you’re looking for cosmetics or luxury clothing, the Magnificent Mile has something to offer. Stop by to check out the innovative styles at Gucci, or browse the unique accessories at Shinola, before visiting one of the many fantastic restaurants located in the area. For a truly local experience, don’t miss Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, named “Best Chicago Steakhouse” by the Chicago Tribune and where the bone-in ribeye is not to be missed. And for one of the best views in the city, visit the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building for a classic cocktail or some light bites. Back at the hotel, continue to immerse yourself in the Chicago culture that is reflected in everything from our architecture, inspired by Zachary Taylor Davis, who built Wrigley Field, to the historic neighborhood photographs that adorn the walls of the guest rooms. We take pride in combining the glamour of old Chicago with modern design and contemporary touches that will make your stay at Hotel Zachary absolutely unforgettable.
Chicago does a few things well, and two of the most important are baseball (sometimes) and beer (always.) There’s still some time before the Cubs hit the field again, but there’s never an off-season for Chicago brews and the people who love them. For anyone who wants to indulge in some hops and malt, the Chicago Beer Festival will be in full swing this March. We think that our boutique hotel in the city’s classic Wrigleyville neighborhood, is the perfect spot to stay while you sip – and we think you’ll agree! On March 8, hop on the Red Line, just steps from our door, and head downtown for the festival, where you’ll spend the evening at the historic Field Museum visiting with Sue, the resident T-Rex, and trying seasonal craft beers from more than 70 breweries. In addition to creative brews, you’ll find plenty of gourmet food, live music and more. Once you’ve had your fill of dinosaurs, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and delicious beer, come back to Hotel Zachary, where you’ll find a modern, well-appointed room full of unique touches like chess boards, leather wing chairs, and custom modernist lighting. If you’re in the mood for a nightcap, stop by The Bar at Hotel Zachary for an Adler & Sullivan cocktail, named after the famous Chicago architects, or one more pint from local brewery Goose Island. Hotel Zachary is the ideal home-base for all your Chicago Beer Festival adventures; we’re looking forward to seeing you soon.
Chicago is known for its world-class museums, and the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the best. From the iconic lions that flank its doors to the famed Impressionist wing (featured in the classic Chicago-set film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), the Art Institute is not to be missed. At the luxurious Hotel Zachary, our Wrigleyville location is just a few stops away by train from this incredible museum, making it easy to soak up some culture on your visit. If Impressionism isn’t for you, the Art Institute has amazing collections that appeal to every type of art-lover. Take in the vivid paintings and powerful sculptures of the African Diaspora collection, or view the change in style over the years through the amazing collection of fashion-related artwork. The Modern Wing, which was added in 2009, is a stunning piece of architecture, with a beautiful bridge that overlooks the park, and plentiful skylights to highlight the vast collection of pieces from the 20th and 21st century. When you return to the hotel, explore some of Chicago’s best cuisine. Whether you’re looking to indulge in a perfectly cooked steak at Dutch and Doc’s, or tacos al pastor at local favorite Big Star, we have the perfect option to round off your day. The Art Institute and Wrigleyville are both integral to having a true Chicago experience, and we invite you to enjoy both on your next trip.
No visit to downtown Chicago is complete without a stop in the beautiful Millennium Park, and when you stay with us at Hotel Zachary in historic Wrigleyville, you’re only a few train stops away from taking in everything the park has to offer. Stop by Sir Anish Kapoor’s incredible Cloud Gate, better known as “the Bean,” where you’ll find locals and visitors alike taking photos in its reflective surface. The enormous stainless steel sculpture, which was inspired by the beauty of liquid mercury, mirrors and distorts the city’s famous skyline, making it the perfect spot for a selfie or two. Nearby, the Pritzker Pavilion is a perfect place to take in a performance. The outdoor bandshell, designed by architect Frank Gehry, holds up to 11,000 people and features both designated seats and a vast lawn where you can bring a picnic to enjoy one of the many free summer concerts, plays and events that the city puts on. Or bring a blanket and a book and spend your afternoon relaxing among the city’s many skyscrapers. If you’re craving even more greenery, the Lurie Garden provides 3.5 acres of natural beauty. Open year-round, the garden features hundreds of varieties of plants, from the dramatic Black Parrot tulips to delicate, flowering fringe trees. After spending the day outdoors, making the quick trip back to our boutique hotel with its stylish decor and amenities will be even more satisfying. Turn in for a good night’s sleep in one of our luxurious king or queen beds and wake up refreshed and ready to see what else our great city has to offer.
