Super 8 by Wyndham Elgin

Step outside what’s not only the tallest building in Chicago but the third-tallest building in the Western Hemisphere! The viewing tower offers spectacular views spanning up to four states, but there’s also The Ledge, a glass balcony extending four feet outside Willis Tower’s 103rd floor. At 1,353 feet in the air, its glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the Skydeck. An all-new, 30-60 minute interactive experience in the viewing tower shares Chicago highlights and the rich history of the tallest building in Chicago. If you’re wondering what to do in Chicago today that will be fun and educational, this is a great addition to your 103rd-floor Skydeck visit!

In 2007, best friends Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy had a crazy idea—to practice ping pong night and day and get so good that they could make the USA Olympic Team. So, they got busy doing what any future Olympians would do—throwing a weekly ping pong party! Their parties drew in an eccentric range of artists and actors, musicians and bankers, brokers and broadcasters, and (of course) professional ping pong players and everyone in between. The diversity of the crowd fueled the fun and vibrant energy that remains the essence of SPIN today. Bricklin and Raharinosy joined forces with retired investment banker and former tennis pro, Andrew Gordon, to launch SPIN’s flagship location on Park Avenue in New York City in the summer of 2009. From the moment we opened our doors, we have seen the world-wide growth of an iconic ping pong culture, lifestyle, and movement, which has redefined the game to know no boundaries. It’s all about having fun, not taking life too seriously, making human connections and embracing the contradictions. At SPIN, we come together to socialize and celebrate play. At our core is the drive to connect through ping pong—a game that transcends age, gender, ethnicity, and all physical boundaries. We are the original ping pong social club, your offline social network, a place to call home. We welcome diversity and embrace the unconventional. With venues in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington DC and Boston we encourage you to participate. Do it together and never alone. #UnitedbyPingPong

Born in the Midwest, Pinstripes is a collection of venues that has rapidly grown across the United States through a combination of made-from-scratch dining, face-to-face gaming, and signature service that makes our guests feel like family. For over a decade, we’ve stayed true to our humble roots by always providing an extraordinary, magical experience — from the first strike, to the first bite, to the first laugh—that brings out the best in everyone. At Pinstripes, we provide a home away from home where people feel like they are celebrating life while eating the best food, playing the best games, and doing it all with the best people. It’s joyous and instantly memorable.

The vision behind Ignite Glass Studios is connecting people back to the process of creating art and engaging in the beauty of the time-honored craft of glass blowing and the exquisite art it produces along with building a new sense of community through the interactive experience of blowing glass and glass making. Ignite Glass Studios is a thriving glass art community in a space where artists can create and grow, novices can experiment and learn, and young people’s lives are transformed by the power of this collaborative art form. Ignite sparks the imagination and the creation of amazing works of art, creates a space for unique, memorable events, and opens opportunities for individual growth in a learning community that values difference, participation and collaboration. Providing a safe place for youth to explore, grow and draw inspiration is a fundamental element of Ignite’s vision.

Stitely’s well respected Chicago bands are passionate about bringing your vision to life with the right touch. Whether you’re looking for an awesome band, a DJ, a smaller combo, regal strings or a soloist, we’re here to tailor your event’s music to your day so that the vibe and atmosphere represent you and your reason for making memories!

Hard Rock Cafe Chicago Est. June 17, 1986 Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, marked by the giant iconic guitar that illuminates our parking lot, is located in the heart of the vibrant River North neighborhood, just blocks away from the Magnificent Mile. For more than 30 years, our cafe has been a one-of-a-kind dining, entertainment and shopping destination known worldwide for embracing funky styles and blending them with legendary food, beverages, live music and music history. Hard Rock International is the world’s largest curator of music memorabilia, and our cafe walls are lined with priceless pieces from musical legends like Billy Joel, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.

Based in Orlando, Florida, Galaxy Vacations is a trusted Destination Management Company (DMC) and tour operator with nearly 50 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. We offer comprehensive services including hotel bookings, transportation with our own fleet, restaurant arrangements, activities, park tickets, and more. Whether for groups or individual travelers, Galaxy Vacations provides personalized, seamless travel experiences across Florida.

VU ROOFTOP IS A 13,000 SQUARE FOOT CONCEPT LOCATED 22 STORIES HIGH NEXT DOOR TO MCCORMICK PLACE. HERE, YOU CAN ENJOY AN INGREDIENT AND LOCALLY DRIVEN BEVERAGE PROGRAM, TOP NOTCH NOSHING AND UNPARALLELED VIEWS OF THE LAKE AND DOWNTOWN WITHIN A MODERN DESIGNED SPACE.

A few words from the man himself… Growing up in an Italian-American household, food was always front and center in all family gatherings. I found myself in the kitchen during any family event and have fond memories watching as my mother made sauce, my grandmother made meatballs, and my aunts made cookies. As I got older it became obvious to me that my passion and future profession would be cooking in one capacity or another. I started my training with Inspiration Kitchens in Chicago, followed by stints in my uncle's hot dog stand Mandino's located in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Eventually, I formalized my training in some of Chicago's most beloved restaurants with names such as Publican Quality Meats, Au Cheval, Formento's, and Table Donkey and Stick. While fine-dining kitchens help sharpen my skills, my Italian/American roots were calling. Nothing made me want to make my mark on this industry quite like pizza.