Free Spirit Yacht Cruises
- This cruise company offers charters on two yachts. The Free Spirit yacht accommodates up to 120 people and can host buffet dinners, while the Gypsy Spirit Lake Michigan yacht accommodates up to 50 passengers and offers multilevel entertaining with a salon, galley and aft deck lounge area. The boats are docked at Burnham Harbor, located east of Soldier Field, and cruise along Lake Michigan. www.freespiritcruises.com
Chicago Union Station
- The Great Hall at Chicago Union Station was originally designed by famed architect Daniel Burnham and completed in 1925. The 20,000-square-foot Beaux Arts-style room features 18 towering Corinthian columns and a five-story atrium ceiling, and was used in the shooting of films including The Untouchables, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Flags of Our Fathers. Opening onto the Great Hall is the 3,500-square-foot Union Gallery. The entire venue can host 300 for a dinner or 2,500 for a cocktail reception. www.chicagounionstation.com
The Chicago Illuminating Company
- This 10,000-square-foot building is a two-story former power plant/warehouse that dates back to the 1900s and is now used for events. Its loft-style design measures 10,000 square feet and includes a 50-foot-high wall of display shelves in the main room, built-in marble bars designed to be used as bars or for chefs’ presentations, and large mirrors placed against the walls. The capacity is 250 for seated dinners and up to 600 for cocktail receptions. www.chicagoilluminatingcompany.com
Millennium Park
- One of Chicago’s star attractions, Millennium Park offers a number of venues. The Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion itself can seat 4,000 or up to 7,000 using the lawn. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion Stage is an option for corporate events or speakers. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion Choral Rehearsal Room can host meetings, dinners for 100 or receptions up to 200. The Rooftop Terrace is open from April through October and offers views of the city and the rest of the park. It can host up to 1,300 for receptions using the tent and patio. The Chase Promenades are open spaces in the center of the park and can accommodate 1,500 for receptions. www.millenniumpark.org