ACCOMODATIONS 

● Hotel Lincoln – Situated in one of Chicago’s most desirable neighborhoods, Hotel Lincoln offers sweeping views over leafy Lincoln Park and the blue waters of Lake Michigan. Experience an upscale boutique hotel just north of the Loop, with easy access to the Lincoln Park Zoo, DePaul University and more. The neighborhood is commonly referred to as Old Town or part of Lincoln Park. 

1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614  | (312) 254-4700 | https://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/illinois/chicago/hotel-lincoln 

Parking – the hotel does offer valet parking. Another option would be to locate parking using SpotHero or ParkWhiz. 

BOOKSTORES

● Women & Children First – Located in the Andersonville area, Women & Children First believes in the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, they believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, they have celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices. 5233 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640 | 773.769.9299 | https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/ | wcfbooks@gmail.com

● The Book Cellar – Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Since they opened in 2004, they have been an independent and woman-owned bookstore and cafe. Known for their excellent taste in books and wine, they also host frequent author events and book clubs. They're located in the heart of the culturally diverse neighborhood. 4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 | 773.293.2665 | https://www.bookcellarinc.com/ | words@bookcellarinc.com

● The Book Stall – One of Chicagoland's busiest independent bookstores. We are a community bookstore that caters to our customers.  With over 68,000 titles in our 5,000 sq. foot store, our book selection has something for everyone: fiction, travel, cooking, children's books, biographies, and many more. 811 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois 60093. About 20 miles away in the northern suburbs | 847-446-8880 | https://www.thebookstall.com/ | books@thebookstall.com 

● City Lit Books – A cozy independent bookstore located in the heart of Logan Square which specializes in contemporary fiction and non-fiction, with a richly curated collection of children's literature, speculative fiction, poetry, and more. The store is a literary hub for the community, hosting many book clubs, poetry readings, and author events. 2523 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 | 773-235-2523  | https://www.citylitbooks.com | info@citylitbooks.com 

LIBRARIES 

● Poetry Foundation and Library – The Midwest’s only library dedicated to poetry. Visitors can access more than 40,000 volumes of poetry, experience audio and video recordings, and view exhibitions of poetry-related materials in our reading room. 61 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60654 | https://www.poetryfoundation.org/library

● Newberry Library – An independent research library, specializing in the humanities. It is free and open to the public. The Newberry collection—some 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and 5 million manuscript pages—is a portal to more than six centuries of human history, from the Middle Ages to the present. They have an exhibit called “Native Pop! How Indigenous people have shaped popular culture.” 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610 | 312.943.9090 | https://www.newberry.org/

● Harold Washington Library – Located in the South Loop, this is Chicago Public Library’s main library with beautiful architecture. 400 S State St, Chicago, IL | 312.747.4300 | https://www.chipublib.org/locations/34/

● Oak Park Public Library – It houses the Carol Shields Monograph Collection in the library’s special collection. There is a quote of Carol’s on the 2nd floor wall, and a tree planted in her honor in the park next to the library. 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301. It’s in the western suburbs and accessible by CTA’s Green Line | 708.383.8200 | https://www.oppl.org/read-listen-watch/special-collections

MUSEUMS 

● American Writers Museum – Located in the heart of downtown, it’s goal is to educate the public about American writers – past and present and engage and motivate visitors to discover the many exciting worlds created by the spoken and written word.  180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 | https://americanwritersmuseum.org/ 

● Art Institute of Chicago – One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. They currently have a Frida Kahlo exhibit. 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 6060 | https://www.artic.edu/

● Chicago Architecture Centre – The leading organization devoted to celebrating and promoting Chicago as a center of architectural innovation https://www.architecture.org/

● Chicago History Museum – Founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago's history. 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 | https://www.chicagohistory.org/

● Chicago Women’s History Center – Documenting, Preserving, & Sharing Chicago Women's History. Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 403, Chicago, IL 60605 | https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/ 

● The Field Museum – It connects all of us to the natural world and the human story.  They have an Africa Fashion exhibit on. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 | https://www.fieldmuseum.org/ 

● Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – It provides unique experiences designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 | https://www.msichicago.org/ 

● Museum of Contemporary Art – One of the world’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary art. Here, the public can experience the work and ideas of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art of our time. 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60611 | https://mcachicago.org/

PLACES TO VISIT 

● Chicago Literary Hall of Fame – Their mission is to honor and preserve Chicago’s great literary heritage. Carol Shields was inducted in 2021. They organize literary tours. Contact Don Evans for more information: dgevans@chicagoliteraryhof.org. 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave., #222, Chicago, IL 60613 | 773.414.2603 | https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/

● Lincoln Park Zoo – This 35 acre zoo (with a farm) is located just steps away from the Hotel Lincoln and is free everyday. 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614 | https://www.lpzoo.org/ 

● Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park – Nature Boardwalk is free and open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Once a simple manmade pond, is now a lush, natural, prairie-style garden filled with native plants and brimming with birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and other wildlife. Wonderful walking paths with great views of the Chicago skyline. https://www.lpzoo.org/gardens/nature-boardwalk/ 

● The Lincoln Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden – Located just outside of the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is free, though donations are accepted and reservations are strongly encouraged. 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 | https://www.lincolnparkconservancy.org/projects/conservatory-garden/ 

● Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool – Enter this urban garden which is surrounded by the natural beauty and privacy of a unique National Historic Landmark in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. Designed by Alfred Caldwell in 1936, the Lily Pool includes an architecturally significant pavilion, a cascading waterfall, and native plantings. Free. 125 W. Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614 | https://www.lincolnparkconservancy.org/projects/alfred-caldwell-lily-pool/ 

● North Pond Nature Sanctuary – The 15-acre sanctuary is just a few block north of Hotel Lincoln. This oasis was recently renovated and one can walk around to enjoy the over 150 plant species which attract 220+ bird species and numerous small mammals, reptiles, insects, and amphibians. Free. Located in Lincoln Park between Fullerton and Diversey Parkways, and Stockton and Cannon Drives – just north of Lincoln Park Zoo. 

● Chicago Beaches along Lakefront – Walk along the lakefront or walk in the sand along Lake Michigan. Closest to Hotel Lincoln is North Avenue (1600 North) Beach and Fullerton Avenue (2400 North) Beach | https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/beaches 

● Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary – A 15-acre bird sanctuary and nature preserve in Lincoln Park . Over 300 bird species have been recorded at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and the adjacent Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area, making it an internationally recognized area for birding. Free. 200 W. Montrose Harbor Dr., Chicago, IL 60660 (Montrose Avenue is 4400 North) | https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lincoln-park-montrose-point-bird-sanctuary 

● Chicago Architecture Boat Tour along Chicago River – Led by the Chicago Architecture Center's expertly trained docent volunteers, this 90-minute cruise reveals fascinating stories behind Chicago's majestic buildings in a way no other tour can. There are a few other options for boat tours along the river but this one is deemed as the best. https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise

● Chicago Riverwalk – This continuous 1.25 path in downtown loop stretches from Lake Street to the lake front along the Chicago River with restaurants, kayaking & great people watching. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoriverwalk/home 

● Navy Pier – A half-mile-long pier located on the lakefront and features restaurants and shopping (inside and out) and offers a diverse variety of exciting events, live music, theater (home of Shakespeare Theatre), art exhibits, dance performances, cultural celebrations and kids’ activities. The famous Ferris wheel is located on the pier. Many lake cruises depart from Navy Pier.  https://navypier.org/

● Millennium Park – A 24.5 acre beautiful green space in downtown Chicago most known as the location of "The Bean" or more correctly named Cloud Gate. It features Jay Pritzer Pavilion with music events, interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space. It was built over railroad tracks and over a parking garage. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html 

● Chicago Cultural Center – Situated across from iconic Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, it is not only an architectural marvel, but a prominent venue for visual art exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, performing arts, and discussion panels. Admission is free and the two magnificent stained-glass domes are must see. 78 E. Washington St., Chicago IL 60602 | https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html

RESTAURANTS 

● Americano – Global comfort food, plus a brass-railed cocktail lounge and an expansive patio. 1816 N. Clark, first floor of Hotel Lincoln | https://www.americanochicago.com/

● Ceiba – Where Latin American roots are infused with global creativity in the heart of Lincoln Park. 2423 N. Clark | https://ceibarest.com/ 

●  Gemini – Dishes that have roots in classic American cuisine but with Midwest seasonality and sensibility. 2075 N. Lincoln Ave | https://geminichicago.com/ 

● Goddess & the Baker – Women owned all-day cafes with baked goods plus breakfast items and lunch, salads, sandwiches. Several Chicago locations including Millennium Park, downtown, and along the river. https://www.goddessandthebaker.com/locations/ 

● KALA Modern Greek – Traditional Greek food,  flavors from the streets of Greece, and innovative processes. 2523 N. Clark | https://www.kalachicago.com/home#home-middle

● Mon Ami Gabi – French bistro classics alongside fresh takes on old school favorites. 2300 N. Lincoln Park West | https://www.monamigabi.com/chicago/ 

● Mindy’s Bakery – Mindy's Bakery is a rustic American bakery in Chicago serving artisanal bagels, bialys, pastries and more from award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal. 1623 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60647 | https://www.mindysbakery.com/

● Riccardo Enoteca – Authentic Northern Italian Restaurant. 2116 N. Clark | https://riccardoenoteca.com/ 

● Riccardo Trattoria  –  Experience specialties from their unique Tuscan wood burning oven and experience the essence of the casual Italian lifestyle. 2119 N. Clark | https://www.riccardotrattoria.com/ 

● Sweet Mandy B's Bakery – Women owned bakery. Bakeshop for old fashioned treats from cupcakes & pies to cookies, plus breakfast bites. 1208 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 | https://sweetmandybs.com/

● A Variety of Women Owned Restaurants in Chicago – https://blog.resy.com/2024/03/women-owned-restaurants-of-chicago/

TRANSPORTATION 

● Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) – Visit the website to learn about the CTA bus and train service (called the “L’) and routes in and around Chicago. One can just tap their credit card if they have the smart icon or can purchase a VENTRA card or download the app for payment. https://www.transitchicago.com/ 

● DIVVY Bikes – Just hop on a classic bike, grab an ebike, or scooter at various locations and return to any other location. Can use the LYFT app to pay as well. https://divvybikes.com/

● Uber or Lyft – Popular rideshare options. 

● Taxis – Can be hailed or can use the Curb app https://www.gocurb.com/cities/chicago

For more, go to: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en.html