Chicago...Chi-town, the Windy City. A place known for music, Wrigley Field, the Magnificent Mile, Michael Jordan, deep-dish pizza and much, much more. What else is fun and notable in this Illinois burg? Bentley University alumni from the area share insider secrets. 

Michael Simoneau ’13
Analyst, Accenture Strategy

For a fall getaway, you can go in two directions. Head through Indiana into southern Michigan and visit towns along the east side of Lake Michigan. Along the way, stop at the Indiana Dunes — a great place to go hiking. Opting for the opposite direction, into Wisconsin, you can catch Big Ten football at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, or go to Lake Geneva and walk a portion of its 22-mile shoreline path.

Jessica Kacmar ’07
Marketing Manager, RTM Engineering Consultants

Chicago is home to many different types of large music festivals: Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, Pitchfork, Windy City LakeShake, North Coast … and the list goes on. Imagine enjoying a great mix of bands from local groups to big-name headliners, with the impressive skyline as your backdrop. Or, listen to your favorite band in a park nestled in one of Chicago’s neighborhoods.
 

Martha Perry ’10
Global Solutions Enablement Manager, EMC

Explore a street festival, like the Old Town Art Fair in June and the Taste of River North in August.

You can drink, listen to music and sample favorite restaurants from the neighborhood! 
 

J.J. Joseph ’07
Senior Investment Analyst, Willis Towers Watson

My best planned day for out-of-town friends would be taking the Chicago Architectural Boat Tour, which goes up and down the Chicago River and provides a wealth of knowledge about the city. Then we’d walk the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave.) which is full of shops and restaurants; find the closest Garrett’s popcorn shop; and hop on the red line train to Wrigley Field to either catch a Cubs day game or visit some of the many local bars that make up “Wrigleyville.”

Howie Schnuer ’90
Vice President and General Manager, Small & Medium Enterprises, Transworld Systems 

You’ve got to get some deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s. Stay at the Intercontinental and swim in the pool that was in the movie Cocoon, ride the brand-new giant Ferris wheel at Navy Pier and take the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) elevator to the Skydeck for spectacular views of the city.