As a wheelchair user, I am always looking for accessible destinations with plenty to do. Of course, I need ramps and wide doors, but I am especially drawn to places that don’t require a lot of transportation to have a fun time.
I live two hours from Chicago and am a frequent visitor. It would be impossible to narrow down all the wheelchair-friendly things to see, do, and eat, not to mention all the great hotels, in one story. I did recently have an ideal trip with my friend Kim around Michigan Avenue that was highlighted by the fact that I never had to get back in my van or any other transportation the whole weekend.
Stay in a Museum
For a unique and accessible stay, 21C Museum Hotel is one of my Chicago favorites and it was the perfect location for this trip. They have a variety of rooms with mobility and hearing aids. We stayed in a deluxe room with two queen beds.
The hotel has valet parking, and I was able to get the ramp down from my van to the curb with no problem. After a quick check-in, we spent some time looking at the modern art throughout the hotel. It’s all unique, such as the portrait of a dancer that is actually made from subway tokens.
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Brunch with a French Touch
After a good night’s sleep at 21C, it was time for brunch at CDA Restaurant in Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile. It took about 10 minutes for us to get there. The sidewalk was accessible, as was Sofitel. I was especially impressed with their large bathroom, with stalls that were easy for wheelchair use.
I loved the classic look of CDA. It was open, with large windows and a casual atmosphere that was luxurious, but not pretentious. The brunch menu was a match to that décor, with a French touch added to everything.
Kim chose the Sofitel Breakfast Croissant, a scrambled egg with gruyere cheese and prosciutto, served with herb roasted potatoes.
I ordered the Chicken and Waffles: fried chicken breast pieces over a large waffle with whipped Boursin cheese and spicy honey. It was delicious, but I saved half for later in the day, so I had room for dessert. My second choice had been the Ricotta Pancakes with bananas and cinnamon bun topping and cocoa nibs.
The dessert menu had our mouths watering, and we could not pick, so we actually shared three: Crème Brulee with berry compote, Pecan Sticky Bun with caramel sauce and poppy seed crème anglaise, and Macaroons. The first two were as good as they sound. Kim loved the macaroons. Having spent a lot of time in France, I’m a bit pickier about my macaroons.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Make reservations in advance for weekend brunch at Sofitel and ask for a window table to people watch.
Visit a Mansion with Priceless Art
From Sofitel, it is an easy and accessible stroll to the Richard A. Driehaus Museum. I confess I didn’t know much about this place before because I wasn’t able to get into it with my wheelchair. It is unexpected to find such a mansion in the middle of Chicago, just off Michigan Avenue.
Richard A. Driehaus was a Chicago Philanthropist who acquired the Nickerson Mansion in 2002. He spent five years restoring it to exhibit as much as possible of its Gilded Age art of the 1880s. In 2002, the Murphy Memorial building next door was also acquired by the museum for expansion. These renovations made it wheelchair accessible by June 2024.
This is one of those places where you are constantly saying “Wow.” The John P. Murphy Memorial Auditorium looks like an old theater, with balcony seating and stunning stained glass, something that can be seen throughout the museum.
Every room of the mansion originally built by Samuel L. Nickerson is filled with stunning art, Tiffany bronze doors and lamps, and relics made of solid silver and gold. We spent about two hours exploring it all.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t forget the top floor, where there is an exhibition of Frank Llyod Wright photos.
Not Your Usual Starbucks
We were still full from brunch, but really wanted to stop at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Michigan Avenue, only two short blocks from the museum. This is nothing like the Starbucks you go to for morning coffee. It is one of only three in the U.S., with the others in Seattle and New York City,
The Starbucks Roastery is four stories high and includes bars (yes, they serve alcohol), food, a bakery, and some coffee concoctions that you don’t see in a regular Starbucks, such as a Dark Chocolate Mocha.
While this place is wheelchair accessible, it was very crowded, so it wasn’t easy to get around and we didn’t stay long. We made the quick trip back to 21C Museum Hotel.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you have the time, continue down Michigan Avenue to gawk at the Wrigley and Tribune buildings, two of Chicago’s architectural standouts. The sidewalk there is nice and smooth riding.
Go Shopping
We had a breakfast of Brioche French Toast at 21C Museum Hotel’s Lure Fish Bar and spent some more time looking at the art there before heading to Michigan Avenue to do a little shopping. I always like to look around at places I can’t often find elsewhere. It was mostly window shopping at Tiffany, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren, but it was fun to see all the Magnificent Mile holiday decorations.
I do always find things at Water Tower Place and especially love going to the American Girl store, Hershey’s Store, and LEGO.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Michigan Avenue is known for its great shopping, but there is a 10.25% sales tax. You might want to do your spending there on special sales and things you can’t get elsewhere.
Tea for Two
The Ritz-Carlton is right next to Water Tower Place, and they have an Afternoon Tea that can’t be missed. It even starts with champagne.
The unique tea selection has something for everyone, and we each got our own pot. It was followed with a wide selection of small sandwiches, scones, pastries, and quiche. It was all delectable and too much to finish. The service was also top notch.
It was a perfect way to finish this weekend of wheelchair travel in Chicago.
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