and might have taken over billboards and red carpets everywhere in recent years, but Chicago was famed for its cuisine well before the hit HBO series came along. Ranging from Michelin to humble local dives, the city’s options leave you spoilt for choice – and very full. If you love Italian, add Ummo, a new fine-dining destination, to your list.
Street-food fans should head to Pilsen, a neighbourhood in the Lower West Side. Its Hispanic roots make for the best taquerias and margaritas; be sure to visit the National while you’re in the area. Chicago’s Architecture River Cruise is in every guidebook for a reason: you’re treated to incredible views of the city, making it the best way to get to grips with its layout.
Location is key if you’re a first-timer, so stay at . Sitting on the Magnificent Mile in the commercial district, it has some iconic neighbours (Tiffany & Co and Saks Fifth Avenue, to name just two), as well as a half-Olympic-size pool on its top floor with views of the skyline. A sunrise dip before a day of sightseeing – what could be better? In the year of the US election, few places will give you a power kick in the same way as the capital of America.
But there is now another great reason to visit the District of Columbia: the breakout restaurant landscape. From classics at The Bazaar by José Andrés to Love, Makoto, a Japanese food hall complete with a sushi bar and sake tastings, and El Presidente, a lively new Mexican eatery with three varieties of guacamole (try the one with crab meat) there’s something for everyone. Don’t skip openings such as famed hot spot Pastis and La’ Shukran in Union Market, from Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi.
When you’ve reached a point when you can’t eat another thing, head to any of the city’s free museums: our favourites are the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Then, check in at Eaton DC, which has Scandi-style interiors and is committed to grassroots social projects. Rooms have patterned rugs and record players, and the hotel also hosts film nights, screening documentaries promoting social change at its in-house cinema.
Plus, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the White House. You may already be browsing for tickets to New Mexico after seeing , but inspiring culture is everywhere in Santa Fe – the city has more than 250 galleries. Make your first stop the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, housing nearly 150 paintings by the iconic artist.
Next, head to Site, in the buzzy Railyard district. Designed by architect Greg Lynn, the exterior of this contemporary-arts hub is a masterpiece in itself. In August, don’t miss the Indigenous Art Fair Contemporary, which celebrates present-day Native American works, and leave time for a trip to Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, an immersive-art experience with more than 70 rooms to explore.
Recharge after a day of gallery-hopping at Radish & Rye, where the farm-to-table menu is complemented by at least 175 varieties of bourbon, rye and American single-malt whiskey. Stay at the Inn of the Five Graces, whose 24 luxurious rooms feature folklore-themed interiors. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers.
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