New in Chicago

Whether it's the host of new restaurants, high-energy, immersive shows and attractions, annual events, or hotels, it's no wonder Chicago is regularly voted the best city in the USA.

Chicago Winery, a 24,000-square-foot winery, restaurant, bar, and event space by First Batch Hospitality, has opened at the former Zed space, 739 N. Clark St. in River North. The outdoor terrace – complete with a retractable roof and walls – is open year-round.

Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails, a new 17,000-square-foot live fire show kitchen restaurant concept from The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group, has opened inside the Catalog at Willis Tower.

After debuting Gordon Ramsay Burger in December 2021, celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay, plans to pay homage to one of his most popular TV shows with Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen, set to open in River North, one of only a handful locations in the U.S.

The Guinness Chicago Taproom is slated to open in the Fulton Market district. Located at the site of the old Pennsylvania Railroad Depot, it will feature a taproom, a restaurant serving Irish pub food, and a small-scale brewery making small batch beers.

Immersion takes on a new form with Stage 773's WHIM, a walk-thru experience inviting guests to partake in a whimsical night out inside a world where every art form comes together – paintings, music, sculpture, street art, and live performance – all by Chicago artists.

The Art Institute Chicago's Salvador Dalí: The Image Disappears exhibition, the first devoted to the Spanish Surrealist, runs until 12 June and presents more than 30 paintings, drawings, photos, and surrealist objects which explore Dalí's work in light of two defining, if contradictory, impulses: an immense desire for visibility and the urge to disappear.

The Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Festival will return to Chicago's Jackson Park on 8 July, 2023. Billed as the world's biggest house music dance party, the festival began in 1990 as a small gathering of friends behind the Museum of Science and Industry.

Sloomoo Institute has opened its 20,000-square-foot multi-sensory location at 820 N. Orleans St. in Chicago's River North neighbourhood. The new concrete loft space features a series of interactive sight, touch, smell and sound experiences.

For the first time ever, the sights, sounds, and speed of NASCAR are coming to downtown Chicago on 1-2 July, 2023 with the NASCAR Cup Series Street Race and music festival debuting against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park.

Chicago has been added as a port for American Queen Voyages' multiday cruises with the Ocean Navigator's maiden arrival from Toronto to Chicago - touching all five of the Great Lakes.

The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park is now home to Chicago's first Leaf Spa. The 11,000-square-foot spa focuses on authentic wellness practices inspired by the earth's natural wonders and seasonal evolutions. Fairmont Chicago is also the first locale in Illinois to partner with TableMation Studios, producers of “The World's #1 Culinary Experiences”, to present Le Petit Chef, an energetic gastronomic celebration using Skullmapping technology.

The St. Regis Chicago is set to debut later this spring as the 50th St. Regis globally. Designed by award-winning architect Jeanne Gang, it is a shimmering homage to sky and water, and has changed Chicago's iconic skyline. It is now the third tallest building in Chicago, the 10th tallest in the United States and the tallest building in the world, designed by a female.

The voco Chicago Downtown and reimagined Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown – Wolf Point have opened in Chicago's River North neighbourhood. Waterview Kitchen & Bar, the newly reimagined bar, lounge and restaurant, at The voco Chicago Downtown offers panoramic views of the downtown Chicago skyline.

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago completed a property-wide renovation project in December 2022. The re-imagined property includes a new signature restaurant, Brass Tack, and a new sultry lobby lounge, Peacock Lounge. The renovation also rebirthed Bernard's, a cocktail bar that restores a beloved city setting.

Visitors can now watch their favourite movies against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline on the fifth-floor terrace of The Emily Hotel, Rooftop Cinema Club offers a high-end approach to moviegoing, complete with tropical decor, lawn games, state-of-the-art LED screens and individual wireless headphones.

New on Route 66

Route 66 is known for inspiring nostalgia, but sometimes it's fun to put a new twist on an age-old classic. Today you can easily make the journey in an electric vehicle—thanks to the new 'Zero Emissions on Route 66' route planner and the large collection of charging stations along the way. 300 miles of vintage, quirky, and larger-than-life roadside attractions can be explored over this three day itinerary, with regular suggested stops along the way for recharging both hungry travellers, and electric vehicles.

There's a new Muffler Man in Berwyn. Smoking a cigar and holding a fried chicken wing and a bottle of hot sauce, he has Frankenstein's monster stitches on his head and wrists.

A new gigantic 24-foot guitar, the largest handmade guitar in the world, has been added at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet.

Historic Doc's Soda Fountain in Girard has been completely renovated and reopened as Docs Just Off 66. The nostalgic soda fountain is still in place with all of the relics from the pharmacy museum on display and an expanded restaurant and lounge.

New Route 66 murals can be found in the Great Rivers and Routes towns of Collinsville, Edwardsville, Granite City and Hamel. Forming part of the Route 66 Mural Art Trail, these new additions give even more reasons for road trippers to visit.

An American Giants Museum is set to open this summer in Atlanta. The new, one-of-a-kind experience will tell the story of the kitsch and quirky “Muffler Man/Bunyan Giant” statues that once sprang up in the 1960s as advertising gimmicks across the USA.

Outdoor Adventures, Sights and Entertainment Venues

From mild to wild, discover Illinois' natural wonders and best kept secrets with these new outdoors adventures, sights, and entertainment venues.

Alpine Coaster has opened at Aerie's Resort in Grafton. This a thrilling new ride is the first of its kind in Illinois and will travel down the hillside over 3,000 feet of track at speeds up to 25 miles per hour through the seasonal foliage that Grafton is known for.

Stroll with a glass of wine in hand and a goat by your side at the new Hoof It & Sip It in Galena. Return from the walk to enjoy tastings from a local vineyard and winery, Fergedaboudit, while overlooking incredible views of Galena Country.

The small town of Casey is home to 12 of the world's largest things as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, including the World's Largest Teeter-Totter, Wooden Gavel (in Marshall) and Barbershop Pole. This year, a big taco, a big pink piggy bank and a big Poké Ball join the collection.

Walker Bluff Casino Resort will open this year as Southern Illinois' premier dining and entertainment venue offering a first class casino resort with a spacious gaming floor, over 650 slot machines and 14 live table games that will enhance the exceptional complex that already exists at Walker's Bluff.

Foodie Experiences

Sample Illinois' burgeoning food scene with these new wine, coffee, and chocolate trails.

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 award-winning wineries located along a 35-mile scenic drive in the Shawnee National Forest. Along the way, have a picnic, go on a hike, visit a shop, and stay in a cosy B&B or cabin.

Coffee lovers won't be able to get enough of Southern Illinois Coffee Trail. This one-of-a kind trail featuring 27 different coffee shops throughout the region's 21 counties.

Sweet tooths everywhere are invited to take a journey along the Blackhawk Chocolate Trail to experience a chocolate escape in Northwest Illinois. From candy stores and gift shops, to cafes and bakeries, there are plenty of locations to choose from.

For more information visit www.enjoyillinois.com

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