Next week from October 14-17, McCormick Place in Chicago will become home to the 2025 NACS Show. For those who arrive early or stay through the weekend, here are some ideas for excursions and places to dine.
Within a mile(ish) of McCormick Place:
- You’ll find something for everyone at Fatpour Tap Works, a 10-minute walk from McCormick Place. Choose from dozens of beers, including rare bottles from local brewery Goose Island, or order from the curated specialty cocktail list. There’s also a family-style menu for large groups.
- You probably know about deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, but what about Ricobene’s? The restaurant’s specialty is a breaded steak sandwich served with giardiniera, a spicy pickled vegetable relish.
Within five miles of McCormick Place:
- Although it's no longer the tallest building in the world, the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) still provides stunning views of the city. At 1,451 feet, the skyscraper is the 26th tallest in the world and No. 1 in Chicago.
- You’ll be hard-pressed to find a local who doesn’t suggest a Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) river cruise. Gain a new perspective on Chicago’s iconic skyline as trained docents from the CAC guide you through the history and lore behind buildings such as Marina City and the Tribune Tower.
- If you want deep-dish pizza, ditch the crowds for Pizzeria Uno and head to its sister spot Pizzeria Due—same pizza, fewer people. Other locals say Pequod’s caramelized crust makes it the city’s top spot. Lou Malnati’s, with multiple downtown locations, is always a treat, even if you opt for the thin-crust pizza—which some say is better than the OG.
Continue reading “25 Ways to Explore Chicago” from the September 2025 issue of NACS Magazine here.