A Fall Weekend in Streeterville

 As fall breaks, Chicago's Streeterville  neighborhood bustles with residents and visitors exploring great views of Lake Michigan and the richness of our lake-adjacent neighborhood. Our three topics for fall include Streeterville parks, food and activities, and finally, a few notes on several contemporary and vintage home possibilities. 

 The Chicago Lakefront Trail is 18.5 miles long, with Streeterville in its pathway. In fall, the trail will continue to host a stream of cyclists, joggers, walkers and dog walkers. Adding to the wealth of parks and green space within Streeterville’s boundaries is the newly opened Bennett Park. The two acres are publicly accessible green space next to the luxury condo building One Bennett Park. Two.dog runs and a large children’s play area with a sandbox, swings and slides are among the amenities. And, Seneca Park on East Chicago Avenue, offers a small and quiet oasis just steps from Michigan Avenue. Alfresco choices abound. 

When the fresh air makes you a bit hungry, it’s nice to be able to duck into a cozy neighborhood pub and go ‘old school’. The purist’s choices include Timothy O’Toole’s Pub and Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub - firmly planted in the neighborhood for over twenty years. Or, walking the neighborhood might bring about the need for Streeterville's hearty steakhouses including The Capital Grille - “Stoli Doli” stat -  and Smith & Wollensky. Bridging steak with Italian fare is Rosebud Steakhouse. east of the Drake Hotel  on Walton Street. For an authentic Italian comfort meal Volare or Francesca’s on Chestnut are your ultimate destinations. A casual option is NIU Japanese Fusion Lounge at 332 East Illinois. And, The Signature Lounge at the 96th, located at 875 North Michigan Avenue, serves specialty cocktails with a nonpareil view.

An afternoon in Streeterville can take you to the Museum of Contemporary Art, established in 1967 as one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. The fall slate includes a Mika Rottenberg exhibition beginning in October 2019. Or, a brisk ten minute walk along Lake Shore Drive will bring you to the fifty acre Navy Pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, where you'll find more restaurants, gardens and our Chicago Shakespeare Theater - whose schedule breaks wide open in mid-September.

An evening suggestion is Winter’s Jazz Club at 465 North McClurg Court, entertaining visitors with live jazz six nights a week. Of course, Water Tower Place at 835 North Michigan Avenue is a great destination for shopping and going to the movies. Additionally, the 23,000 square foot Chicago Sports Museum resides on the 7th floor. Any Chicago sports aficionado will be thrilled to engage with the interactive exhibits, which include skill challenges.  

Chicago has an endless list of hotels, but if you want to stay in the heart of Streeerville, the Drake and Knickerbocker hotels are neighborhood favorites. Your dogs are welcome at the Westin Michigan Avenue. And, for a five-star choice, The Ritz Carlton is just off Michigan Avenue at Water Tower Place.

 Homes in Streeterville are a grand mix of contemporary style and traditional vintage condos and co-ops. Additionally, there are a host of townhomes located on the Chicago River. Your sacred space can reflect any style in Streeterville. East Lake Shore Drive just beyond The Drake hotel, boasts a row of historic co-ops and condos with old world charm and vast views of Lake Michigan. 189 East Lake Shore Drive, a Chicago Historical Landmark, and 219 East Lake Shore Drive are the two condominium buildings otherwise surrounded by classic pre-war co-ops. Pearson on the Park, built in 2003, is a contemporary full service condominium building. Urban living at its finest can also be found at 800 North Michigan Avenue in the luxury Park Tower condominiums, completed in 2000. The anchor tenant is the Park Hyatt Chicago hotel. Streeterville home choices are indeed endless.

 Let luxury Streeterville realtor Linda Shaughnessy and her partners Tanya Hamilton and Michele Miller introduce you to Chicago’s luxury real estate. Contact Linda at 312.961.612.