What to do in Chicago if you’re here on business (2025)

Chicago always has Something to prove. When it went up against New York at the World’s Fair of 1893, a New York Sun reporter called in “Bag of the Wind” activists.. Illinois ended up hosting the exposition, and Chicago embraced its new identity as the Windy City. This influential energy still defines this city, a city that builds, innovates, and competes as if it has everything to lose.

Chicago’s tech scene is a diverse one that shouldn’t be slept on, but you probably know that. Over the past decade, the Second City’s technology sector has grown by 18 percent, adding more than 106,000 direct jobs and nearly 150,000 indirect jobs. According to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The city’s universities produce more computer science graduates than anywhere else in the country. Giants like Google, Salesforce, and Meta have expanded here, while startups like Tigos, Uber Freight, and G2 have relocated from Silicon Valley, attracted by Chicago’s talent pool and affordable cost of living.

Chicago’s tech scene is not isolated; Nearly half of tech jobs are related to core industries such as healthcare, finance, and logistics. In August, TechChicago The conference highlighted quantum computing, energy-efficient data centers, and equitable access to capital, showing that Chicago is thinking about how technology can enhance everyday life.

Being in Chicago means working hard and playing harder. Dinner at Fulton Market, drinks on the Riverwalk, and a comedy show at the end of the night.

Where do you live?

While Chicago’s tech scene extends across the city, your business travel has likely landed you somewhere in the Loop, River North, or West Loop area. Our accommodations keep you close, comfortable and surrounded by fellow professionals.

Courtesy of The St. Regis Chicago

363E. Walker Drive, (312) 787-3447

At the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the St. Regis offers the pinnacle of luxury in the city, complete with a world-class spa, fitness facilities and renowned dining venues. Our premium butler service takes care of the unpacking, ironing, shoe shine and morning coffee (or tea), so you can focus on the business that brought you here. A complimentary home car can take you to nearby meetings or lunches within a two-mile radius. Start with a Tokyo breakfast at Miru Japanese Restaurant, return at 5pm for the hotel’s daily champagne, and then head to Tri Dita For handmade pasta and wood-fired Tuscan steaks – be sure to book in advance.

200 N Green Street, (312) 761-1700

If you want a hotel that feels like it’s part of the city, it’s the Hoxton in the West Loop. Check in and out at any time when booking directly. Workspaces are available, from library offices to co-working spaces and meeting rooms. If you’re hungry, the on-site café serves Aya Bakery pastries and coffee, and if you need a break, daybeds await, perfect for a power nap or curing a hangover. Weather permitting, their outdoor porches can be used as another place to get work done. You don’t even have to leave Hoxton to visit the neighborhood’s top eating and drinking spots; Cira serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine throughout the day, Cabra Cevicheria serves Peruvian dishes on the rooftop, and head downstairs to Lazy Bird for cocktails and live music Thursday through Saturday. The Milk Bar is also on site for late-night drunkenness.

Courtesy of Hotel Emily

311 N Morgan Street, (312) 764-1919

In Fulton Market, the Emily Hotel is ideal for travelers who want a local vibe with all the luxuries and tech amenities. Enjoy coffee at the on-site café, lunch at Fora, cocktails at rooftop bar Selva, and dinner at Sushi by Bou. Stay active in the 24/7 fitness center and, weather permitting, catch a movie in the hotel’s terrace cinema.

900e grand, (872) 710-5700

At Sable, you will have everything you need for an enjoyable stay. Enjoy coffee in the lobby of Hotel Kisbi, where single-origin beans from Costa Rica, Kenya and Ethiopia make your morning feel instantly richer. The Spanish and Iberian-inspired Lirica Restaurant is perfect for a solo lunch or group dinner. The Offshore Rooftop has unparalleled views of the skyline and Lake Michigan, plus a full-service bar. As for amenities, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, conference rooms if you need to get work done, and, of course, Navy Pier itself is right outside your door — packed with shops, restaurants, and attractions to keep you entertained. It’s a bit like living in a mall.

Courtesy of InterContinental Chicago

505 N Michigan Avenue, (312) 944-4100

In the heart of the Magnificent Mile, the InterContinental blends big-city business energy with old-school charm. That’s thanks in part to its indoor pool, a stunning 1929 Spanish Majolica tiled and watched over by the terracotta Neptune Fountain, perched 14 stories above Michigan Avenue. During the week, you’ll mostly see business travelers, although families often stay here as well. Practical facilities are covered, including meeting rooms, printing services and even a notary, if necessary. There are two restaurants on site: Casa Chi, which serves Peruvian-Japanese cuisine and serves great cocktails, and Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, which is exactly what you think it is. There’s also a Starbucks in the lobby, but with so many better local coffee shops nearby, it’s worth the detour.

Where to work

You can work from any of the hotels on our list, but if you need a change of scenery, Chicago has plenty of coworking options, too. Here are some of our favorites Deskpass is a great resource For more options.

Photography: Steve Geer/Getty Images

20 n. Walker Drive, 12th floor

Inside the Civic Opera Building in the city’s business district, this 60,000-square-foot workspace is designed for technology professionals. Fast Wi-Fi, comfortable settings, meeting rooms, and even a rooftop terrace and fitness center. Get $35 a day on Deskpass.

3130 N Rockwell Street

In Avondale, Guild Row offers a sunlit workspace with high ceilings, private Zoom booths, a café and a breakout bar. The Belmont Room hosts workshops, talks and events, but the overall atmosphere is calm and focused to get work done without distraction. It’s a space to recharge, meet like-minded people, or just enjoy a productive day. You can purchase a day pass for $28.

1821 W. Hubbard Street, Unit 209

In the West Loop, Art/Work Coworking is a creative lab that attracts the city’s creatives, techies, and freelancers. Open 24/7 with automated access, it offers bookable offices and meeting rooms. Join us using Deskpass, or book a conference room from $50 per hour.

Where can you get your coffee?

112 N Green St

If you need a reliable off-site workspace, Sawada Coffee has plenty of seating, strong Wi-Fi, and strong coffee. Sawada Coffee, founded by Japanese barista Hiroshi Sawada, is known for its military latte—a rich shot of matcha, espresso, and cocoa—but they also have cortados, cappuccinos, and cookies on hand to keep the workflow going. If you’re late for lunch, you don’t have to go far; Sawada shares its space with Green Street Smoked Meats, known for Central Texas-style barbecue.

714 N Wells Street

Oud Coffee, owned by Palestinian-American friends, is a North River favorite for lattes and snacks. The signature Oud latte blends pistachio syrup, cardamom spices and fresh mint, while the menu also includes Turkish coffee, tea and juices. Snack on manakish bread, stuffed dates, or baklava. A spacious indoor seating area makes it a sturdy place to catch up on work or sit outside if weather permits. There is another location in Wicker Park, if you find yourself closer to that neighborhood.

5531 N Clark Street

The Understudy is a theatrical bookstore café that serves passion fruit syrup along with lavender, wild rose petals and hazelnuts. Non-coffee drinkers can sip on an iced latte, a sparkling matcha lemonade, or a roasted lychee goddess tea. Come for the flavour, and enjoy the creative atmosphere, with light-filled nooks that make it easy to get lost in the afternoon.

3101 S Morgan Street

Bridgeport Coffee has been roasting on the South Side since 2004, and it remains one of the best stops in town for a cup of coffee that tastes like where it came from. The store sources beans directly from farmers, cutting out the middlemen for better flavor and a fairer trade. There are only a few counter seats and a few tables, but it’s a comfortable place to work if you reserve a spot.

Where do you eat?

The best restaurants in Chicago are probably fully booked, but we’ve found the sweet spots that are actually available.

Courtesy of the private chef

2165 North Western Blvd.

For a corny but upscale take on the Chinese-American takeout I grew up on, Chef’s Special serves delicious family-style classics. Think orange chicken, Mongolian beef, and lo mein noodles — fast. Nostalgic comfort food is paired with tropical cocktails, from a lemonade to a selection of $8 beers and ales. Ideal for small teams or clients, the menu encourages sampling, making it less about individual dishes and more about the experience.

800 W. Randolph Street

At Au Cheval, Chicago’s iconic burger joint, the melted, egg-topped cheeseburger lives up to the hype. The ambiance is simple, with a French-meets-diner feel, featuring dim lighting, leather booths, and an open kitchen that’s always at full capacity. You have to get the cheeseburger, but the chili and grilled bone marrow are also worth ordering. No reservations. Visit on a weekday afternoon, register your name, and have a drink at one of Fulton Market’s many bars while you wait.