A simple day trip from Aloft Chicago Mag Mile
Start your day at Aloft Chicago Mag Mile with a quick Re:Fuel breakfast, walk the Magnificent Mile and nearby attractions, then choose a museum, Navy Pier, or Ohio Street Beach for a relaxed half-day before returning to the hotel pool or W XYZ Bar. This route fits into a single day without requiring a car and keeps most time within easy walking distance of 243 E. Ontario.
In this guide
- Get started at the hotel
- Morning walk: Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue
- Late morning option: museums or observation decks
- Lunch and early afternoon: Navy Pier or Ohio Street Beach
- Late afternoon: return, relax, or explore the Loop
- Evening: dinner and a nightcap at the hotel
- Practical info and transport
Get started at the hotel
Grab a quick breakfast at Re:Fuel, the hotel's 24-hour grab-and-go market. Cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for a surcharge; no reservation is required.
Leave light luggage at the 24-hour front desk if your room isn't ready. The hotel's check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM (noon).
- Address: 243 E. Ontario, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, US
- Hotel phone (BookResorts agents, 24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- On-site amenities to use before you head out: complimentary Wi‑Fi, coin laundry, and luggage storage
| Hotel facility | Note |
|---|---|
| Re:Fuel (grab-and-go) | Open 24 hours; breakfast available for a fee |
| Re:charge (fitness) | Top-floor, 24-hour gym with cardio and Peloton bikes |
| Splash (pool) | Indoor pool on 19th floor; guest access typically mornings–evening |
Morning walk: Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue
Aloft Chicago Mag Mile sits on the edge of the Magnificent Mile, about a 3-minute walk to the main shopping corridor. Stroll north or south on Michigan Avenue to window-shop or pop into stores.
If you prefer a short, scenic detour, walk east a couple of blocks to the lakefront or head toward the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is within easy walking distance.
- Magnificent Mile: roughly 3-minute walk from the hotel
- Museum of Contemporary Art: about two blocks away
- Shops at Northbridge mall: within a few city blocks
| Destination | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Magnificent Mile | ~3 minutes |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | ~5–10 minutes |
| Shops at Northbridge | ~5–10 minutes |
Late morning option: museums or observation decks
Choose a short cultural stop: the Museum of Contemporary Art is very close, or walk a bit farther to 360 Chicago observation deck for city views. Both sit within roughly a half-mile of the hotel.
Ticket availability and hours vary by venue; check each attraction's website before you go. If you'd rather stay outdoors, the Chicago Riverwalk is described as just minutes away and offers a waterside stroll.
- Museum of Contemporary Art: about two blocks from the hotel
- 360 Chicago (observation deck): within half a mile
- Chicago Riverwalk: short walk or quick taxi ride
| Activity | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Museum visit | Close and compact; good for a 1–2 hour visit |
| Observation deck | City skyline and lake views |
| Riverwalk stroll | Outdoor option if the weather is nice |
Lunch and early afternoon: Navy Pier or Ohio Street Beach
Navy Pier is roughly a 13–15 minute walk (about 1.3–1.5 miles) and offers food, rides, and lakeside views. Walking there is straightforward: head east on Grand or Illinois Street from Michigan Avenue.
If you prefer to stay closer to the lake, Ohio Street Beach is about a 9-minute walk and is a good place to sit and enjoy Lake Michigan on a warm day.
- Navy Pier: 13–15 minute walk; food stalls and attractions
- Ohio Street Beach: ~9-minute walk for a lakefront break
- Public transit: CTA buses and short rides can shorten travel times if you prefer not to walk
| Option | Approx. walk time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Pier | 13–15 minutes | Attractions, lunch, lakeside boardwalk |
| Ohio Street Beach | ~9 minutes | Quick beach break and lake views |
Late afternoon: return, relax, or explore the Loop
After lunch you can return toward the hotel for the 19th-floor indoor pool 'Splash' (pool hours are typically morning to evening) or explore nearby Loop attractions like Millennium Park and the Art Institute if you have more time.
Keep in mind that some attractions are about 1–1.8 miles away, so choose based on how much walking you want to do or take a short taxi/CTA ride.
- Splash pool: complimentary for guests; check current hours and status before using
- Millennium Park and Art Institute: roughly 1–1.8 miles; good for a longer afternoon outing
- If you want a nap or to freshen up first, the hotel offers multiple room types, e.g., Superior Room, 1 King Bed and Premier Room, 1 King bed, Windows on 2 sides
| Hotel return options | Why pick it |
|---|---|
| Pool (Splash) | Relax and cool off after walking |
| Room rest | Short recharge before evening plans |
| Explore Loop | More sightseeing if you have energy |
Evening: dinner and a nightcap at the hotel
Stay local for dinner at W XYZ Bar, which serves American fare, cocktails, wine and a snack menu, and is reported to host live music in the evenings. One third-party source lists W XYZ Bar hours as 5:00 PM–midnight.
If you prefer a quick bite, Re:Fuel remains open 24 hours for grab-and-go sandwiches, pastries and coffee. The hotel lobby and lounge areas can also be a casual place to end the day.
- W XYZ Bar: American bar on-site; live music has been reported
- Re:Fuel: grab-and-go, open 24 hours
- Lobby has seating and a fireplace if you want a quieter end to the day
| Evening choice | Best for |
|---|---|
| W XYZ Bar | Dinner, cocktails, live music |
| Re:Fuel | Late-night snacks and coffee |
| Lobby/lounge | Low-key socializing |
Practical info and transport
The nearest CTA rail access is the Red Line at Grand (State & Grand), about a 5–6 minute walk from the hotel. Taxis and ride-shares are widely available from the Magnificent Mile area.
On-site valet parking is available (a daily fee is listed by third-party sources); nearby self-parking garages are an alternative. The hotel does not list an airport shuttle.
- Check-in starts at 4:00 PM; check-out is 12:00 PM (noon)
- Valet parking available on-site; self-parking nearby (Erie Ontario garage noted by third parties)
- No listed airport shuttle; CTA Blue Line serves O'Hare and runs to downtown
| Transport | Notes |
|---|---|
| CTA Red Line (Grand) | ~5–6 minute walk to the hotel |
| Valet parking | On-site for a daily fee (third-party listing) |
| Walkability | Many attractions are within a 10–20 minute walk |
