Hotel at a Glance: The Godfrey Hotel Chicago

In warmer months, Chicagoans shed their coats and head to the city’s open-air lounges for skyline views and craft cocktails. The 4.5-star Godfrey Hotel Chicago has one of these hot spots with the I|O Godfrey. This fourth-floor space has another enviable feature besides its posh decor and creative drink menu: a retractable glass roof that keeps skyscrapers in view even when the weather is less than ideal.

• Serenity in the city: Guest rooms are outfitted with plush bedding and robes, along with iHome docking stations and WiFi.
• Spa day: Signature treatments include Shea Butter Body Quench and Monsoon Ritual.
• Recent praise: AAA’s Four Diamond Award and TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence
• We are following public health recommendations of the EPA/CDC: View more information here 

Chicago’s River North: World-Class Art Galleries, Restaurants, and Nightlife near Downtown

Bordering the Loop on the northern side of the Chicago River, the River North neighborhood is where the skyscrapers of downtown give way to the award-winning restaurants and trendy nightspots of the North Side. Once an industrial area, River North is today home to architectural gems—the Jenga-like Contemporaine residential building on Wells Street is a good example—as well as eateries to suit every appetite and budget.

In addition to a formidable culinary presence ranging from inventive Peruvian cuisine at Tanta Restaurant to Chicago classics such as Portillo’s, River North boasts the country’s largest concentration of art galleries outside of Manhattan. The River North Gallery District runs along Chicago, Superior, and Huron Streets, occupying century-old red-brick warehouses that have been converted into lofts and exhibition spaces. You can easily travel beyond River North using Chicago’s public transportation system; check out our guide to Chicago public transportation for tips on navigating the city like a local.