One of the most opulent neighborhoods in the country, Chicago's Gold Coast, along the banks of Lake Michigan, is the planner's choice for groups wanting proximity to art galleries, luxury shopping, sumptuous dining and prestigious cultural institutions. Located just north of downtown Chicago, Gold Coast meeting venues range from the famous Newberry Library to the 1,000-foot-high John Hancock Observatory.
The Gold Coast area is located just 13 miles from Chicago's Midway International Airport and just 35 minutes from O'Hare International Airport. It is also minutes away from the Chicago's premier meeting venue, McCormick Place Convention Center. Made up of four state-of-the-art buildings, the center features 2.6 million square feet of exhibit halls, 600,000 square feet of meeting space throughout 173 meeting rooms, four ballrooms, assembly seating for 18,000 people, a 4,249-seat theater, three 300-person theaters and 5,000 parking spaces.
Cultural attractions doubling as Gold Coast meeting venues include the Loyola University Museum of Art, which features private event space throughout its 45,000 square feet of gallery space as well as a 150-seat lecture hall. Also a Gold Coast venue, the International Museum of Surgical Science, which examines science, history and art in such fields as orthopedics, medical imaging and anatomy, offers private event space for up to 200 people in its historic lakefront mansion with Italian marble floors and fireplaces.
For a Gold Coast venue with a view, consider holding a private event in the John Hancock Observatory, which offers sweeping 360-degree views of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois for up to 600 guests.
Exploring the Gold Coast can work up an appetite – good thing that the neighborhood is home to a number of notable venues for dining. The lively Bistro 110 serves decadent French fare, while the sleek Carmine's specializes in authentic Italian served amongst two levels of dining space. Located at Navy Pier, Riva restaurant serves fresh seafood and steak with a side of breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson is at the helm of modern American C-House, while James Beard award-winning Tony Mantuano works his magic at Spiaggia, one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago.
For sheer shopping bliss, the mile-long portion of Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, is the main thoroughfare between the Loop and the Gold Coast. It is home to countless retailers and boutiques, as well as restaurants, museums and landmark architecture. Among the Magnificent Mile's landmarks is the upscale Water Tower Place, which features an 8-level atrium and more than 100 stores, including the largest number of stores exclusive to Chicago.
Find more venues by clicking the following link to see our complete Chicago event venue directory.
