🎄✨ **Jingle & Mingle: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour** ❄️🏨

🌆 *A Festive Guided Stroll Through Chicago’s Most Beautiful Holiday Lobbies*
✨
It’s that time of year again for my famous Holiday Walk! Explore the best-decorated hotels, lobbies, and storefronts along a convenient downtown route. This annual tradition has grown into a **full, guided holiday walking tour**, complete with all of the fascinating **history of the area, the grand hotels, and Chicago holiday traditions**!

Get ready for one of our most magical annual traditions — a festive holiday walk down the Magnificent Mile and nearby North Michigan Avenue area, exploring the city’s most beautifully decorated hotel lobbies, sparkling trees, and twinkling seasonal displays! ✨

This route is perfect for **longtime Chicago locals, visitors both young and old, or anyone who loves holiday décor, architecture, photography, or simply being a tourist in their own city**. Expect tons of gorgeous lobby trees, elegant decorations, festive themes, great company, and amazing photo ops! 📸🎄

Rumor has it Santa may show up with gifts at one of our stops! 🎅🎁

We begin at the **Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker** and officially end at the **Palmer House**. **Walk does NOT end where we start!** This walk is **longer than my regular walks** because we stop inside many locations, enjoy libations, take group photos, and soak up all the festive holiday décor along the route!

***

🕰️ **Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost**
📅 **Saturday, November 29, 2025**
🕚 **11:00 AM – 2:15 PM**
📍 **Start:** Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – 163 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611
🎯 **End:** Palmer House Hotel – 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
🚶‍♀️ **Distance:** \~2\.5 miles \| Easy pace \| Indoors & outdoors 🌦️
💰 **Cost:** $20 (cash preferred; Zelle/Venmo/PayPal accepted)
⚠️ **Note:** Walk ends 2.5 miles from the start — park accordingly or take public transit back.

📸 Not a dedicated photo walk but trust us — you’ll want your camera!

🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide — this a festive adventure is great for longtime locals, out of town visitors, the young and the old, architecture lovers, history buffs, and anyone who enjoys exploring the city’s holiday magic.

***

🌟 **Route & Highlights** *(subject to change based on group size or timing)*
1.🏨 **Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker** – Classic 1920s elegance with a beautifully decorated lobby tree and vintage holiday charm. 🎄
2.🏰 **The Drake** – Historic holiday magic with garlands, a grand Palm Court tree, and a vintage Chicago feel. 🍬🎄
3.🛍️ **900 N Michigan Ave Shops** – Home to one of Chicago’s largest indoor Christmas trees—multi-story, glittering, and iconic.
4.🌟 **Four Seasons Hotel Chicago** – Lavish lobby tree, gourmet holiday dining, and gingerbread workshops. 🎄
5.⛸️ **The Peninsula Chicago** – Winter dreamscape with the Sky Rink rooftop, luxury décor, and Holiday Afternoon Tea. ❄️🎄
6.🏨 **InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile** – Grand holiday lobby décor, Nutcracker touches, twinkling lights, and festive floral displays. ✨
7.🎅 **The Langham Chicago** – Shimmering gold-and-silver décor, elegant lobby tree, festive tea service & Santa nook. 🎄🎁
8.🌊 **Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel** – Modern, bright holiday installations and stylish seasonal décor. 🍸🎄
9.⛷️ **Fairmont Chicago** – Chic winter-lodge vibes, glowing lobby tree, and proximity to Millennium Park’s city holiday displays. ❄️🎿
10.🏛️ **Chicago Cultural Center** – Two Tiffany stained-glass domes, shimmering holiday décor, and a beautiful lobby Christmas tree. 💎🎄
11.🏙️ **Cloud Gate / Millennium** Park – Home to Chicago’s official Christmas tree, surrounded by holiday lights and skyline views. 🎄✨
12.🏨 **Palmer House Hotel** – Classic Chicago grandeur with a towering lobby tree, opulent ceilings, and holiday cocktails. 🍸
**End time:** approx. 2:15 PM at the Palmer House

***

🎉 **What to Expect**
✔️ Beautiful holiday décor — classic, modern, and everything in between
✔️ Amazing photo opportunities
✔️ Warm lobbies to step inside and enjoy
✔️ Relaxed social outing perfect for mingling
✔️ Fun holiday memories with friendly Meetup groups
**This event is great for newcomers and longtime regulars alike!**

***

🚶‍♀️ **Route Info**

* Slow-paced walk with plenty of stops
* Distance: \~2.5 miles
* Indoor & outdoor at various hotels
* Dress in warm layers and comfortable walking shoes

🎒 **Bring:**
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🌦️ Weather-ready gear
💵 $20 tour fee

***

✨ **North Michigan Avenue: Chicago’s Grand Hotels & Shopping Destination**
North Michigan Avenue, the **Magnificent Mile**, has been Chicago’s premier luxury corridor for over a century. Home to iconic grand hotels like **The Drake, The Peninsula, The Langham, InterContinental, and Palmer House**, it has long been a playground for high society, celebrities, and travelers seeking elegance.

Alongside these historic hotels, the avenue boasts **world-class shopping, renowned restaurants, and dazzling architecture**, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. During the holidays, the street and its hotels come alive with sparkling lights, festive trees, and elaborate decorations.

🎄 **Christmas on North Michigan Avenue – A Chicago Tradition**
Since the 1920s, North Michigan Avenue has been a centerpiece of Chicago’s holiday celebrations. Grand hotels began dazzling visitors with **ornate trees, sparkling lights, and festive window displays**, while department stores joined the celebration, creating the city’s first **holiday shopping destination**. Families strolling the avenue could enjoy **elaborate window scenes, towering lobby trees, and seasonal decorations**, a tradition that continues today.

The Magnificent Mile remains synonymous with **holiday glamour, luxury shopping, and festive cheer**, making it one of the city’s most iconic seasonal destinations.

***

🚇 **Getting There**
Public transportation is strongly recommended.
CTA Trip Planner: [https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/](https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/)
🚗 **Driving**

* Parking is limited
* SpotHero / ParkWhiz recommended
* Metered parking exists but can be scarce — check signs carefully

***

📝 **RSVP & No-Show Policy**
✔️ Keep your RSVP updated — no-shows prevent others from joining
❌ Please cancel if you cannot attend

***

🎄✨ **Join us for a cozy, festive stroll through Chicago’s most stunning holiday lobbies — guaranteed laughs, gorgeous décor, and unforgettable holiday vibes!**

" ¡ ᗯᗩᑎTEᗪ TO ᗪO TᕼᗩT . . . ᒍᑌᔕT ᑎOT ᗩᒪOᑎE ! ! ! ℠ " Chicago

🎄✨ Jingle & Mingle: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour ❄️🏨

" ¡ ᗯᗩᑎTEᗪ TO ᗪO TᕼᗩT . . . ᒍᑌᔕT ᑎOT ᗩᒪOᑎE ! ! ! ℠ " Chicago

Details

Members are also interested in