What to Do in Chicago If You’re Here for Business (2025)

There’s always Chicago Something to prove. When it was up against New York for the 1893 World’s Fair, a New York Sun reporter called “Windbag” preacher. Illinois ended hosting the fair, and Chicago took on its new identity as the Windy City. That chip-on-the-shoulder energy still defines this metropolis, a city that creates, innovates and competes as if it has everything to lose.

Chicago’s tech scene is a diverse landscape that shouldn’t sleep—but you probably know that. Over the past decade, the Second City’s tech sector has grown 18 percent, adding more than 106,000 direct jobs and nearly 150,000 indirect jobs. According to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The city’s universities produce more computer science graduates than anywhere else in the country. Giants like Google, Salesforce, and Meta have expanded here, while startups like Tegus, Uber Freight, and G2 have relocated from Silicon Valley, drawn by Chicago’s talent pool and more affordable cost of living.

Chicago’s tech scene isn’t siloed; About half of all technical positions are tied to key industries such as healthcare, finance and logistics. In August, the TechChicago The conference spotlights quantum computing, energy-efficient data centers, and equitable access to capital, demonstrating how Chicago is thinking about how technology can improve everyday life.

Working harder, playing harder to stay in Chicago. Dinner at Fulton Market, drinks on the Riverwalk and a comedy set for the night.

where will you stay

Chicago’s tech scene is likely to span the city, with your work trip taking you somewhere in the Loop, River North or West Loop areas. Our accommodations keep you close, comfortable, and surrounded by fellow professionals.

Courtesy of St. Regis Chicago

363 E. walker drive, (312) 787-3447

Where the Chicago River and Lake Michigan meet, The St. Regis offers the pinnacle of city luxury, complete with a world-class spa, fitness facilities and acclaimed dining. Signature butler service takes care of packing, suit pressing, shoe shining and morning coffee (or tea), so you can focus on the business that brought you here. A complimentary house car can take you to nearby meetings or lunches within a 2-mile radius. Start with a Tokyo breakfast at Japanese restaurant Miru, return at 5pm for the hotel’s daily champagne sabre, then go three fingers For the handmade pasta and Tuscan wood-fired steaks—be sure to reserve in advance.

200 N Green St., (312) 761-1700

If you want a hotel that feels like part of the city, the Hoxton in the West Loop is it. Check in and out anytime when you book direct. Workspaces range from library desks to coworking spaces and meeting rooms. If you’re hungry, the on-site Cafe Aya Bakery serves pastries and coffee, and if you need a break, daybeds await, ideal for a power nap or hangover. Weather permitting, their outdoor terraces double as another place to work. You don’t have to leave Hoxton to hit the hottest dining and drinking spots around; Sira serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine all day, Cabra Cevicheria serves Peruvian bites on the rooftop, head downstairs to Lazy Bird for cocktails and live music Thursday through Saturday, and Milk Bar is also in-house for a late-night sugar fix.

Courtesy of Emily Hotel

311 N Morgan St., (312) 764-1919

In Fulton Market, The Emily Hotel is perfect for travelers who want a local ambiance with all the luxury and technological conveniences. Grab a coffee at the in-house coffee bar, lunch at Fora, cocktails at rooftop bar Selva and dinner at Sushi by Bow. Stay active at the 24/7 fitness center, and if the weather permits, catch a film at the hotel’s terrace cinema.

900th Grand, (872) 710-5700

In Sable, you will have everything you need for an enjoyable stay. Grab a coffee in Kisby’s lobby, where single-source beans from Costa Rica, Kenya and Ethiopia instantly enrich your morning. Lyrica, a Spanish- and Iberian-inspired restaurant, is perfect for solo lunches or team dinners. The Offshore Rooftop has unbeatable views of the skyline and Lake Michigan, plus a full-service bar. For convenience, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, meeting rooms if you need to work, and of course, Navy Pier itself is right outside your door — full of shops, restaurants and attractions to keep you entertained. It’s like being in a mall.

Courtesy of InterContinental Chicago

505 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 944-4100

In the heart of the Magnificent Mile, the InterContinental blends big-city business power with old-school glamour. That’s thanks in part to its indoor pool, a 1929 stunner tiled in Spanish majolica and watched over by a terracotta Neptune Fountain, floating 14 stories above Michigan Avenue. During the week, you’ll see mostly business travelers, though families are often here. Practical facilities are covered, including meeting rooms, printing services and even a notary if needed. There are two on-site restaurants: Casa Chi Japanese Peruvian with great cocktails, and Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse is just what you need. There is also a Starbucks in the lobby, but there are many good local cafes nearby, worth a wander.

Where to work

You can work from any of the hotels on our list, but if you need a change of scenery, Chicago also has plenty of coworking options. Below are some of our favorites, and Deskpass is a great resource For more options.

Photo: Steve Geer/Getty Images

20 n. Walker Drive, 12th Floor

Inside the Civic Opera Building in the city’s business district, this 60,000-square-foot workspace is designed for tech professionals. Fast Wi-Fi, ergonomic setup, meeting rooms and even a rooftop terrace and fitness center. Drop in Deskpass for $35 a day.

3130 N Rockwell St.

In Avondale, Guild Row offers a sunlit workspace with high ceilings, private Zoom booths and a café and bar for breaks. The Belmont Room hosts workshops, talks and events, but the overall atmosphere is quiet and focused on working without distractions. It’s a place to recharge, meet like-minded people or settle down for a productive day. You can buy a day pass for $28.

1821 W Hubbard St Unit 209

In the West Loop, Art/Work Coworking is a creative lab that attracts the city’s creatives, techies and freelancers. Open 24/7 with automated access, it offers desks and bookable meeting rooms. Drop in with Deskpass, or book a conference room starting at $50 an hour.

Where to get your coffee

112 N Green St.

If you need a reliable off-site work space, Sawada Coffee has plenty of seating, strong Wi-Fi and strong coffee. Founded by Japanese barista Hiroshi Sawada, Sawada Coffee is famous for its military latte—a rich shake of matcha, espresso, and cocoa—but they also have cortados, cappuccinos, and cookies on hand to keep the workflow steady. If you’re lingering over lunch, you don’t have to go far; Sawada shares space with Green Street Smoked Meats, known for its Central Texas-style barbecue.

714 N Wells St.

Owned by Palestinian American friends, Oud Coffee is a North River favorite for craft lattes and bites. The signature Oud Latte combines pistachio syrup, cardamom spice and fresh mint, while the menu also includes Turkish coffees, teas and smoothies. Snack on Manakeesh flatbread, stuffed dates, or baklava. The spacious indoor seating area makes it a solid place to start work or sit outside if the weather permits. There is another location in Wicker Park, if you find yourself near that neighborhood.

5531 N Clark St.

The Understudy is a theatre-bookstore-slash-café, with lavender, wild rose petals and hazelnuts alongside passion fruit syrup. Non-coffee drinkers can sip on iced ube lattes, sparkling matcha lemonade, or a lychee roasted goddess tea. Come for the taste, stay for the creative atmosphere, with light-filled nooks that make it easy to lose an afternoon.

3101 S. Morgan St.

Bridgeport Coffee has been roasting on the South Side since 2004, and it’s still one of the best stops in town for a cup of coffee that actually tastes like where it came from. The store sources beans directly from growers, cutting out middlemen for better taste and better trade. There are only a few counter seats and a handful of tables, but if you snag a spot, it’s a comfortable place to work.

where to eat

Chances are, Chicago’s hottest eateries will be booked, but we’ve found the sweet spots that are actually available.

Courtesy of Chef’s Special

2165 N Western Ave.

The American Chinese take-out you grew up with, Chef’s Special offers fun, family-style classics. Think orange chicken, Mongolian beef, and lo mein noodles—quickly. The nostalgic comfort food is paired with tropical cocktails, from a lemongrass gimlet to an $8 shot-and-beer combo. Ideal for small groups or clients, the menu encourages sampling, making it less about individual plates and more about the experience.

800 W Randolph St.

At Chicago’s uber-celebrated burger joint Au Cheval, the melty, egg-topped cheeseburger lives up to its hype. With a diner-meets-French-speaking feel, dim lighting, leather booths, and an open kitchen that’s always at full capacity. You have to get the cheeseburger, but the chilaquiles and roasted bonemarrow are also worth ordering. Have no reservations; Swing by on a weekday afternoon, enter your name, and grab a drink at one of Fulton Market’s many bars while you wait.