InterContinental Chicago Hotel, Chicago
Erected in 1929, during Chicago's skyscraper heyday, this hotel is a captivating blend of architectural influences, including Egyptian, Greek, Art Deco, Gothic, and medieval styles. The result is an impressive tower with various intricately carved segments crowned by a dome gilded in gold leaf. Neo-Egyptian low reliefs are carved into three sides of the fa莽ade, showcasing masons on the south, builders on the north, and architects presenting a model of the building to the Pharaoh on the west. Originally serving as the Medinah Athletic Club, this 42-story marvel housed a boxing arena, an archery range, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is still intact.
While you're in the vicinity, be sure to swing by the concierge desk, where you can grab an iPod for an audio tour of the original Athletic Club's public spaces. In under half an hour, this tour will lead you to some captivating interior rooms, each exuding a flamboyant and elegant charm steeped in romantic historical ambiance. The Grand Ballroom boasts a centerpiece that's no lightweight 鈥� a 12,000-pound Baccarat crystal chandelier, the largest of its kind in North America. There's also a more masculine "smoking lounge" with heavy timbering, lavish stained glass, and a hand-painted ceiling that tells tales of King Arthur and Parsifal.
There is a lot more to see here 鈥� last but not least, the elevated full-size indoor pool holding a staggering 120,000 gallons of water and named after Johnny Weissmuller, the famous Olympic athlete and actor who honed his skills in it. The pool's blue Spanish majolica tiles and terra-cotta fountain of Neptune remain unchanged and will make a trip here even more worthwhile. And if you need a caffeine fix or fancy a steak, you're in luck 鈥� there's a Starbucks and Michael Jordan's Steak House on the ground level. Plus, just around the corner, you'll find Garrett鈥檚 Popcorn and the NBC studios for a well-rounded experience.
While you're in the vicinity, be sure to swing by the concierge desk, where you can grab an iPod for an audio tour of the original Athletic Club's public spaces. In under half an hour, this tour will lead you to some captivating interior rooms, each exuding a flamboyant and elegant charm steeped in romantic historical ambiance. The Grand Ballroom boasts a centerpiece that's no lightweight 鈥� a 12,000-pound Baccarat crystal chandelier, the largest of its kind in North America. There's also a more masculine "smoking lounge" with heavy timbering, lavish stained glass, and a hand-painted ceiling that tells tales of King Arthur and Parsifal.
There is a lot more to see here 鈥� last but not least, the elevated full-size indoor pool holding a staggering 120,000 gallons of water and named after Johnny Weissmuller, the famous Olympic athlete and actor who honed his skills in it. The pool's blue Spanish majolica tiles and terra-cotta fountain of Neptune remain unchanged and will make a trip here even more worthwhile. And if you need a caffeine fix or fancy a steak, you're in luck 鈥� there's a Starbucks and Michael Jordan's Steak House on the ground level. Plus, just around the corner, you'll find Garrett鈥檚 Popcorn and the NBC studios for a well-rounded experience.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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InterContinental Chicago Hotel on Map
Sight Name: InterContinental Chicago Hotel
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
University of Chicago Walking Tour
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world鈥檚 most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University鈥檚 students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour
Chicago features an outstanding architectural legacy, having long been connected with some of architecture's most important names: Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, Holabird & Root, and others. The multi-layered Loop District, in particular, offers an extensive number of Chicago鈥檚 famous architectural 鈥渕ust-sees鈥� 鈥� from modern skyscrapers to historic buildings... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour
The stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, is regarded as one of the world鈥檚 great avenues 鈥� or Chicago鈥檚 version of Fifth Avenue. Take this self-guided walk to explore its whole stretch and surrounding area, featuring a wide selection of amazing stores/malls, world-known museums, restaurants and spectacular... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Chicago Introduction Walking Tour
Chicago, perched on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is a city steeped in history and urban vibrancy. Known by numerous nicknames such as the Windy City and the City of Big Shoulders, it boasts a skyline marked by towering structures. The area of today's Chicago, initially inhabited by Native American tribes, saw its first European-settled reference as "Chicagou" in 1679, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such 鈥渇orever free and open鈥� space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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