The Drake, Chicago
If it weren't for its prime location and storied past, Chicago's illustrious Drake Hotel might have fallen by the wayside, overshadowed by its formidable competitors. Positioned across from the coveted Oak Street Beach and graced with outstanding vistas of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive, it seamlessly melds the elegance of the Drive's residential district with the allure of Michigan Avenue.
A brainchild of architect Benjamin Marshall, The Drake drew inspiration from opulent Italian Renaissance palaces. Since its grand opening on a glittering New Year's Eve in 1920, it has become synonymous with wealth and prestige in the Windy City. Presidents, from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have favored its hallowed halls, while royalty, silver screen legends, and a kaleidoscope of glitterati have converged here over the years. The list of celebrities includes Walt Disney, Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Liz Taylor, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Pope John Paul II, and many more. Notably, the hotel has also made its mark in the movies, with appearances in "Risky Business", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Mission: Impossible".
One of the timeless traditions that draws visitors to Chicago is Afternoon Tea, a practice that traces its roots back to 1840. Luminaries such as the Empress of Japan, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth II have all partaken in this esteemed custom at the Drake. The venue for this experience is the Palm Court, adorned entirely in pristine white. The hotel even boasts a signature custom-blend tea, aptly named "Palm Court", comprising four exquisite teas: Indian Assam, Chinese Keemun with chocolate notes, Ceylon, and Formosa Oolong. To add a touch of enchantment, live harp music serenades guests every Wednesday through Sunday. In fact, USA Today recognized the Drake Hotel in 2013 as one of the finest establishments for afternoon tea in the entire nation.
Why You Should Visit:
Not merely a hotel; it's a living, breathing piece of history. Nestled in a charming, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, it stands steps away from Oak Street Beach and a treasure trove of upscale boutiques.
A brainchild of architect Benjamin Marshall, The Drake drew inspiration from opulent Italian Renaissance palaces. Since its grand opening on a glittering New Year's Eve in 1920, it has become synonymous with wealth and prestige in the Windy City. Presidents, from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have favored its hallowed halls, while royalty, silver screen legends, and a kaleidoscope of glitterati have converged here over the years. The list of celebrities includes Walt Disney, Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Liz Taylor, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Pope John Paul II, and many more. Notably, the hotel has also made its mark in the movies, with appearances in "Risky Business", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Mission: Impossible".
One of the timeless traditions that draws visitors to Chicago is Afternoon Tea, a practice that traces its roots back to 1840. Luminaries such as the Empress of Japan, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth II have all partaken in this esteemed custom at the Drake. The venue for this experience is the Palm Court, adorned entirely in pristine white. The hotel even boasts a signature custom-blend tea, aptly named "Palm Court", comprising four exquisite teas: Indian Assam, Chinese Keemun with chocolate notes, Ceylon, and Formosa Oolong. To add a touch of enchantment, live harp music serenades guests every Wednesday through Sunday. In fact, USA Today recognized the Drake Hotel in 2013 as one of the finest establishments for afternoon tea in the entire nation.
Why You Should Visit:
Not merely a hotel; it's a living, breathing piece of history. Nestled in a charming, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, it stands steps away from Oak Street Beach and a treasure trove of upscale boutiques.
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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The Drake on Map
Sight Name: The Drake
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.
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago鈥檚 Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques 鈥� all of which have turned an area once referred to as the 鈥淐abbage Patch鈥� into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Tour in Oak Park
Oak Park, located in Cook County, Illinois, just outside Chicago, made history in 1889 when Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's most renowned architects, and his wife settled there, leaving a profound impact on the area's appearance. This village boasts the highest concentration of Wright-crafted buildings in the world - over a dozen! - making it a pivotal destination for enthusiasts to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 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
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour
Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago鈥檚 smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you鈥檒l find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Chicago Souvenirs: 15 Distinct Local Products to Bring Home
One of the most fascinating cities in the U.S., if not the whole world, Chicago has no shortage of things closely associated with it, often due to their direct origin (blues, gangstership, etc.), so one might literally be spoiled for choice as to what to choose as a "piece" of Chicago to...