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🎄🏙️ Festive Chicago Hotel Tour – North Loop Holiday Walk! ❄️🎁

🌆 My Famous Michigan Ave Holiday Hotel Lobby Walk – North Loop Route! ✨

It’s that time of year again for my famous Holiday Walk, where we explore the best-decorated hotels, lobbies, and storefronts along a convenient downtown route. This adventure is famous — come for the morning, afternoon, or the entire day of festive fun!

Expect breakfast, snacks, and coffee/tea along the way. 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, a Hilton Hotel. Walk does NOT end where we start!

New this year: We’re returning to the original North Loop route and adding a few new hotels! Plus, we’re doing it on a Sunday this year since Tuba Christmas is on Saturday.

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🕰️ Schedule & Meeting Info
📅 Sunday, December 21st, 2025
🕚 10:45 AM – 3:45 PM
📍 Start: Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – 163 E Walton St
🏁 End: Palmer House Hotel – 17 E Monroe St
Distance: ~2.5 miles total (full walk)
Pace: Slow and leisurely with plenty of stops for sightseeing, photos, and holiday cheer!
Clothing: Dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Route & Stops (subject to change):

  • 🏨 Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – grand lobby & tree 🎄
  • 🏰 The Drake – gingerbread village & grand foyer tree 🍬🎄
  • ✨ Waldorf Astoria – classic gold-coast elegance 💎🎄
  • 🛍️ 900 N Michigan Ave Shops – gigantic tree 🌟
  • 🌟 Four Seasons Hotel Chicago – grand tree 🎄
  • 🏨 The Ritz-Carlton – sparkling holiday displays 🍬
  • 🏨 InterContinental Chicago – historic lobby + seasonal décor ✨
  • 🎅 The Langham – luxurious lobby, tree & Santa nook 🎄🎁
  • 🌊 Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – grand tree & pop-up bar 🍸🎄
  • ⛷️ Fairmont Chicago – winter wonderland ski lodge ❄️🎿
  • 🏛️ Chicago Cultural Center – 2 Tiffany domes & tree 💎🎄
  • 🏙️ Cloud Gate – Chicago’s official tree 🎄✨
  • 🏨 Palmer House Hotel – grand tree in the opulent lobby 🎄🍸

**Hotels may change if timing or logistics require adjustments for the group size

End time: ~3:45 PM at the Palmer House. Those who stay to the end can enjoy cocktails in the luxurious lobby. 🍸

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🍽️ Breakfast Option The Original Pancake House – Part 1 of 2 (Separate RSVP)
If you want breakfast before the walk, sign up separately here:
https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/events/311347151/

**IMPORTANT!** If you do not join for breakfast, please make sure to eat beforehand — we will not stop for lunch until after the walk, around 2:45 PM.

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We did this walk the last 8 years with our group and it is always a blast. The hotel lobbies are gorgeous, the food was delicious, and we had lots of laughter along the way! If you are in town with some time to kill, then this is worth braving the elements! Plus, we stop inside many locations to warm up, rest, and take little breaks!

🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is strongly recommended due to limited parking in the South Loop.
CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

🚗 Driving:

  • Parking can be very limited
  • Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for the safest, cheapest options
  • Metered street parking exists but is scarce in the Goldcoast— watch signs carefully

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📌 Useful Links

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🚫 No-Show Policy

  • 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month freeze from events
  • Update your RSVP before the start time
  • If you arrive late, message the host directly
  • Not checking in counts as a no-show
  • Repeat no-shows may result in removal from the group

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🎄✨ Come join us for a slow, festive, and memorable stroll through Chicago’s most beautiful holiday lobbies — guaranteed laughs, gorgeous décor, and a touch of holiday magic!

Events in Chicago, IL
Fun Times
Sightseeing
Walking
Holidays

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