Jordan and Aaron are Getting Married!!!

View Wedding Pictures

Ceremony & Reception
Saturday at 6:00 PM

Sheraton Hotel & Towers - $149/night
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 325-3535

W Hotel Lakeshore - $209/night
644 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(877) WHOTELS

Westin Chicago River North - $159/night
320 North Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60610
(800) WESTIN1

Of course, there are lots of other hotels in Chicago. Here are some you may want to check out.
They're listed in order of proximity to River East Art Center.

Embassy Suites Lakefront - $195 to $ 365/night
511 North Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 573-8672

The Peninsula - $445 to $515/night
108 East Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(866) 288-8889

Hotel Monaco - $209 to $309/night
225 North Wabash
Chicago, IL 60601
(866) 610-0081

Sofitel Chicago - $285 to $325/night
20 East Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 324-4000

Burnham Hotel - $209 to $309/night
1 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(877) 294-9712

Hotel Allegro - $209 to $349/night
171 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(866) 672-6143

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Getting To & Around Chicago

We realize many of you will be traveling a good distance to join us in Chicago. We really appreciate that and promise to make the weekend's events worth the distance. We hope this information helps make planning your trip a little easier too.

If you're flying in, both O'Hare and Midway Airports are convenient to Downtown. The train (AKA "The El") from either airport will deliver you to Downtown for $1.75 per person. A cab from O'Hare runs about $40 and one from Midway is about $30. Airport Express offers transportation from both airports to Downtown every few minutes for $13 to $17 per person. For more information visit the Airport Express website. We usually use Orbitz or Travelocity to book flights to and from Chicago.

Click on the following link for more specific information on getting from the airport to your hotel:

Directions to the Sheraton, W Lakeshore & Westin from O'Hare and Midway

Both the Wedding and Friday Night Pre-party are in Downtown Chicago (AKA "The Loop"). They are in walking distance of one another, as well as tons of hotels (see above), restaurants, bars, museums, Lake Michigan, and other attractions.

Click on the following link for more information on getting to Rock Bottom and River East Art Center:

Directions to Rock Bottom and River East Art Center from the Sheraton, W Lakeshore & Westin

So, while Chicago is a driving city, you really won't need a car while you're here. If you want to explore different neighborhoods during your visit, which we highly recommend, public transportation (e.g. cabs, el, bus) will definitely get you there.

If you are planning to travel to Chicago by car, most hotels offer parking for a fee. If you'd like to save money , however, let Jordan or Aaron know and they can provide free permits for overnight parking in their neighborhood which is a short el ride from Downtown.

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Our Registries

Crate & Barrel

William's Brewing

Beer, Beer, and More Beer
Gift Certificates

Williams-Sonoma

Pottery Barn

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Bloomingdale's

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On the Water

Walk, Run or Bike along Lake Michigan
Bike Rentals available through Bike Chicago

Take the Architectural River Boat tour on the Chicago River
Make reservations through Wendella Tours
We know it sounds lame, but it really is worth it.

Play or watch volleyball at North Avenue Beach
You can go in the water and people watch too.
This is one of those things we always say
we're going to do, but don't. Tell us how it is if you go.

 

In the Loop

Have drinks at the Signature Lounge
On the 95th floor of the Hancock Building
875 North Michigan Avenue
We think having a drink here, even if they're over-priced,
is more fun than the actual observation deck (at least for grown-ups).
The view from the women's bathroom is the best--sorry guys.

Sample food from over 70 area restaurants at Taste of Chicago
Grant Park
Funny story. This event takes place every summer and usually concludes on July 4th. Aaron and I specifically decided not to get married over July 4th so you all wouldn't have to deal with the Taste crowds. Well, it seems the city has decided to change things up this year and have the event go through July 9th.
It's actually a pretty fun time, with lots of food, live music and relaxing in the grass between samples.
Go earlier to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue

Millennium Park
It is much more than just a park, promise.
Go to their website and see for yourself, plus download a free map of the grounds.

Walk, Gaze and Shop along Michigan Avenue
   The stretch between Oak Street and Wacker Drive offers the most upscale shopping, and many of Chicago's landmarks       (e.g. Water Tower, the Wrigley, Tribune & Hancock Buildings).
Oak Street itself and Rush Street (1 block west of Michigan) between Walton and Elm
offer more off-beat and slightly more affordable shopping and eating options.

In Other (more interesting) Neighborhoods

Check out the galleries and design stores of River North
This neighborhood is just west of The Loop.
Superior and Huron Streets, between Hudson and Wells are good places to start.

Wander Wicker Park and Bucktown
        These contiguous neighborhoods are dense with funky clothing, furniture & housewares stores, as well as coffee shops and cafes. A nice change from the mega-mall that is Michigan Ave.
Take the Blue Line to Damen Ave. Then, head north on Damen, east on Milwaukee Ave or North Ave or south on Damen to Division where more stores (and an old school Russian bath house) await.

Second City
You know, the improv troop that launched everyone from when Saturday Night Live was good, and Stephen Colbert. Buy tickets in advance if you want to go, because they sell out.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
"Thirty plays in sixty minutes." A little out of the way, but worth the trip.
Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30 PM. Oh wait, you'll be busy then. You'll have to come back for another visit and see it then.

Where to Eat

Arco de Cuchilleros
3445 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL (Boystown/Lakeview)
Our favorite tapas place.We like to celebrate things here,
like engagements and people visiting from out-of-town.

Coast Sushi
2045 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL (Bucktown)

Gino's East
633 N. Wells St
Chicago, IL (Downtown)
For real Chicago deep dish pizza--if you like that kind of stuff.
(Aaron does and Jordan doesn't)

Fox and Obel
401 E. Illinois St
Chicago, IL (Downtown)
This place is awesome for gourmet sandwiches and homemade baked goods.
Don't miss the lobster club with avocado and bacon (Jordan) or the Cubano (Aaron).

Following are some places for more grown-up dinners. They're places we like to go when the parents are in town, and our parents seem to like them too.

Avec
615 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL (West Loop)
Small, creative, delicious plates. Small, warm, contemporary setting.

Cafe Spiaggia
980 N. Michigan Ave, Second Floor
Chicago, IL (Downtown/Loop)
The more casual cousin of Spiaggia. Try anything from the wood-burning oven.
Have the gnocci for the table.

Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL (South Loop)
Nuevo Latino. The steak and fish stew are really good. Order extra tostones.

Trattoria No. 10
10 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL (Downtown/Loop)
Traditional Italian in a really comfortable, unpretentious setting.
Also offers an all-you-can-eat buffet at the bar from 5-8pm, Mon to Fri, for $10. Sweet deal.

Vermilion
10 W. Hubband St.
Chicago, IL (Downtown/River North)
Indian and Latin fusion. What could be bad?

West Town Tavern
1329 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL (West Town)
Contemporary twists on home cooking. We like everything but the draft from the front door.

 

Bars/Lounges Near the Festivities

Dick's Last Resort
435 East Illinois Street
As you may notice from the address, it's right next to River East.
We're kind of embarrassed to suggest it, as it's a pretty terrible place.  But it's so close.

Blue Chicago
736 North Clark Street & 536 North Clark Street
This has long been the Lyon family's favorite place in Chicago for blues.
It's open very late, and the cover charge includes admission to both locations.

Billy Goat Tavern
430 North Michigan Avenue, Lower Level
This is the place that inspired the Saturday Night Live "cheezborger" sketch.
A classic dive, plus a lot of Japanese tourists.

 

Beer Bars, Breweries and Brew Pubs

The Map Room
1949 North Hoyne
Chicago, IL (Bucktown)
The best Belgian beer selection in the Midwest and an almost dive-bar atmosphere.
Recommended Beer: Delerium Tremmens

Piece
1927 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
Owned by the guitarist from Cheap Trick, they serve New Haven-style pizza and brew on-premises.
Recommended Beer: Wing Nut

The Hop Leaf
5148 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL (Andersonville)
Go for the beer, stay for the Belgian-style mussels and frites.
Recommended Beer: Stay tuned--we'll get back to you on this

Goose Island
1800 North Clybourn
Chicago, IL (Lincoln Park)
The beer here is much better than the stuff they bottle for distribution. When combined with their artery-clogging bar food, and great view of Sam's Wine & Spirits Superstore, you can't go wrong.
Recommended Beer: Honkers is their flagship brew, but we suggest you try anything else

Rock Bottom
1 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL (Downtown/Loop)
Obviously this place is good or we wouldn't be having the Friday night Pre-party here.
Recommended Beer: Any of their special seasonals

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If any one has suggestions for things to add to this site, please let us know.

And make sure to check back for updates.

We can't wait to see you in Chicago.

Love, J & A