InterContinental Chicago Hotel, Chicago

Erected in 1929, during Chicago's skyscraper heyday, this hotel is a captivating blend of architectural influences, including Egyptian, Greek, Art Deco, Gothic, and medieval styles. The result is an impressive tower with various intricately carved segments crowned by a dome gilded in gold leaf. Neo-Egyptian low reliefs are carved into three sides of the fa莽ade, showcasing masons on the south, builders on the north, and architects presenting a model of the building to the Pharaoh on the west. Originally serving as the Medinah Athletic Club, this 42-story marvel housed a boxing arena, an archery range, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is still intact.

While you're in the vicinity, be sure to swing by the concierge desk, where you can grab an iPod for an audio tour of the original Athletic Club's public spaces. In under half an hour, this tour will lead you to some captivating interior rooms, each exuding a flamboyant and elegant charm steeped in romantic historical ambiance. The Grand Ballroom boasts a centerpiece that's no lightweight 鈥� a 12,000-pound Baccarat crystal chandelier, the largest of its kind in North America. There's also a more masculine "smoking lounge" with heavy timbering, lavish stained glass, and a hand-painted ceiling that tells tales of King Arthur and Parsifal.

There is a lot more to see here 鈥� last but not least, the elevated full-size indoor pool holding a staggering 120,000 gallons of water and named after Johnny Weissmuller, the famous Olympic athlete and actor who honed his skills in it. The pool's blue Spanish majolica tiles and terra-cotta fountain of Neptune remain unchanged and will make a trip here even more worthwhile. And if you need a caffeine fix or fancy a steak, you're in luck 鈥� there's a Starbucks and Michael Jordan's Steak House on the ground level. Plus, just around the corner, you'll find Garrett鈥檚 Popcorn and the NBC studios for a well-rounded experience.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: InterContinental Chicago Hotel
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois

Create Your Own Walk in Chicago

Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Chicago Old Town Walking Tour

Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago鈥檚 Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques 鈥� all of which have turned an area once referred to as the 鈥淐abbage Patch鈥� into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.

Start your Old Town walking... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Loop District Architecture Walking Tour

The Chicago Loop District鈥攅ssentially the city鈥檚 historic downtown鈥攈as long been a stage for architectural innovation and an open-air museum of American architecture.

The construction boom started after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the central business district, gave architects a blank canvas to rebuild the city from the ground up. What followed was a surge of... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour

Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago鈥檚 smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you鈥檒l find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour

If Chicago had a living room, it would be Grant Park 鈥� and if it had a shiny new media room, that would definitely be Millennium Park. These two sprawling green spaces hug the lakeshore like the city鈥檚 favorite blanket, offering locals and tourists alike a perfect blend of nature, art, and architecture with a side of skyline.

Let鈥檚 start with the elder of the two 鈥� Grant Park,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour

Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront 鈥� for kids as well as adults 鈥� that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a 鈥渢ourist trap鈥�, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

University of Chicago Walking Tour

Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world鈥檚 most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University鈥檚 students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.

Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

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