A one-day itinerary (day trip) from Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Start at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile (20 E Chestnut St) with breakfast at CDA, walk the Magnificent Mile and Oak Street Beach, visit 360 CHICAGO, then return for an evening cocktail at Le Bar. This one-day itinerary fits walking and short transit times and uses the hotel's dining, fitness, and concierge services to make a compact Chicago day trip from the hotel.
In this guide
- Getting started at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
- Morning: Breakfast at CDA and a Magnificent Mile stroll
- Late morning: Oak Street Beach or Museum of Contemporary Art
- Afternoon: 360 CHICAGO observation deck and nearby lunch options
- Late afternoon: Return, fitness or in-room spa
- Evening: Drinks at Le Bar and a short riverside walk
- Practical tips and hotel details for the day trip
Getting started at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
Check the hotel address (20 E Chestnut St) and plan your day from the lobby-level arrival point. Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM (noon).
If you’re leaving luggage for the day, the hotel offers porter service and luggage storage; the concierge can also help with tickets and local directions before you head out.
- Hotel phone (BookResorts agents, 24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Guest floors are secured; visitors must register with front desk or be accompanied by a registered guest
- Rooms include Nespresso machines, the Sofitel Bed system, and complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi
| Useful Rooms (examples) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Classic Room | One King Bed option; good for solo or couple day-base |
| Superior Room | Two Double Beds or King options across several floor ranges |
| Junior Suite | More space for post-trip rest; some suites feature tubs and sofa beds |
Morning: Breakfast at CDA and a Magnificent Mile stroll
Head to CDA on the lobby level for breakfast service. CDA serves breakfast Monday–Friday from 6:30 AM–2:00 PM and Saturday–Sunday from 7:00 AM–2:30 PM. Weekend brunch runs 11:00 AM–2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday (bookable through Tock).
After breakfast, walk two blocks to Michigan Avenue for the Magnificent Mile shops and public architecture. The hotel is a short walk to flagship stores, Water Tower Place, and the American Girl Place.
- CDA dress code listed as Smart Casual on OpenTable; reservations via Tock are accepted
- La Terrace (seasonal) offers outdoor seating tied to CDA and Le Bar when weather permits
- Ask the concierge for directions to specific stores or for a printed walking map
| Nearby on-foot highlights | Approx. time from hotel |
|---|---|
| Michigan Avenue / Magnificent Mile | 3–5 minute walk |
| Water Tower Place | About 5–10 minute walk |
| American Girl Place | About 5–10 minute walk (two blocks east) |
Late morning: Oak Street Beach or Museum of Contemporary Art
If the weather is pleasant, walk the lakefront to Oak Street Beach, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel for shoreline views of Lake Michigan.
If you prefer indoor culture, the Museum of Contemporary Art is an easy walk—roughly eight minutes—offering rotating exhibitions and a compact visit that fits a day trip.
- Oak Street Beach: roughly 0.4 miles / ~10 minutes on foot along the lakefront
- Museum of Contemporary Art: about an 8-minute walk; check museum hours before you go
- During warm months, La Terrace may be open back at the hotel for a mid-day drink
| Option | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Oak Street Beach | Quick outdoor break, lake views, good for photos |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | Indoor cultural stop, short visit duration |
| Return to hotel for a light rest | Use fitness center or the room’s Nespresso machine |
Afternoon: 360 CHICAGO observation deck and nearby lunch options
Walk to 360 CHICAGO at 875 North Michigan Avenue (about a 5-minute walk) to get elevated city views. The observation deck visit pairs well with midday photos and skyline orientation.
For lunch, return toward the hotel area or choose a nearby Magnificent Mile restaurant. If you prefer staying at the property, CDA serves lunch through early afternoon.
- 360 CHICAGO is roughly 0.5 miles from the hotel and a short walk
- CDA serves lunch until early afternoon; check Tock for reservations
- If you want to stay on-site, Le Bar opens later for evening drinks but its menu is available in the lobby-level area
| Lunch choices | On-site vs nearby |
|---|---|
| CDA | On-site, French-American breakfast and lunch |
| Magnificent Mile eateries | Several options within a short walk |
| Light room snack | In-room dining available daily 6:30 AM–11:00 PM |
Late afternoon: Return, fitness or in-room spa
Head back to the hotel mid-to-late afternoon to relax before evening plans. If you want to work out, the Sofitel Fitness Center is open 24 hours and includes cardio machines with personal TVs and TechnoGym equipment.
If you’d rather relax, book an in-room spa treatment (massages, facials, manicures/pedicures) through the hotel’s in-room spa menu, provided via Windy City Massage.
- Fitness Center features cardio machines, TechnoGym equipment, free weights, and fresh fruit/water
- In-room spa treatments are performed in the privacy of your room; contact the concierge to schedule
- Guests in any room type (Classic Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite, etc.) have access to fitness center
| Wellness option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Sofitel Fitness Center | Quick workout or stretching after walking |
| In-room spa (Windy City Massage) | Quiet relaxation without leaving your room |
| Quiet rest in a suite | Junior Suite or Magnifique Suite if you prefer more space |
Evening: Drinks at Le Bar and a short riverside walk
Finish the day with cocktails or light plates at Le Bar, the lobby-level bar with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Le Bar hours are Sunday–Thursday 4:00 PM–11:00 PM and Friday–Saturday 4:00 PM–12:00 AM; there is a daily happy hour from 4:00 PM–6:00 PM.
If you prefer a short evening stroll, the Chicago Riverwalk and nearby tree-lined streets are an easy option; return to the hotel for in-room dining if you’d rather stay in.
- Le Bar serves crafted cocktails, shareable plates, and seasonal creations; reservations via Tock for small parties
- Le Bar kitchen serves dinner hours in the evening; check with the hotel for exact dinner times and menu
- Valet or self-parking is available if you plan a short drive: valet options include overnight unlimited in/out
| Nightcap options | Notes |
|---|---|
| Le Bar | Lobby-level cocktail lounge with indoor and outdoor seating |
| Riverside walk | Short walk to Chicago Riverwalk for evening views |
| In-room dining | Available daily 6:30 AM–11:00 PM |
Practical tips and hotel details for the day trip
Parking and fees: parking is not included with your room; the hotel offers valet and self-parking for a fee. The nightly room rate does not include the hotel's Urban Experience fee or the local tourism district charge.
Age and pet rules: Guests must be at least 21 to check in; children of all ages are welcome. The hotel is pet-friendly for dogs (up to two per room) but pet-friendly rooms must be requested in advance and pets may not be left unattended.
- Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon). A government-issued photo ID and credit card are required at check-in.
- In-room amenities: Nespresso machine, Sofitel Bed, complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi
- Concierge can help with tours, tickets, and transfers; the property lists an airport car service option though availability/costs vary
| Contact & address | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 E Chestnut St, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, US |
| Hotel phone | +1 (888) 605-1350 (BookResorts agents, 24/7) |
| Room examples | Classic Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite, Magnifique Suite, Prestige Suite, Presidential Suite |
