Alinea

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Not the flashiest name, not the trendiest address, but the stone crab claws flown in from Miami are the real deal and the prime rib is as good as any steakhouse charging twice the price. The dining room has that old-money Chicago energy — white tablecloths, professional service, martinis that arrive cold and correct. A power-lunch institution that earns its reputation nightly.

The Robey

A boutique hotel built into the iconic Coyote Building at the six corners of Wicker Park. The art deco bones are stunning, the rooms are compact but clever, and the rooftop bar — Cabana Club in summer, Up Room year-round — delivers one of the best skyline views in the city. You're steps from the best eating and drinking in Chicago.

Art Institute of Chicago

One of the greatest art museums on the planet, and it still doesn't get the credit it deserves outside the Midwest. The Impressionist collection rivals the Musee d'Orsay. The Modern Wing by Renzo Piano is a masterwork of light. You could spend a week and still miss entire galleries. This is the cultural heart of the city, full stop.