Chicago: Take Time Out for Self-Care

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Chicago looks forward to welcoming you this October to APA’s fall meeting—IPS: The Mental Health Services Conference—at the historic Palmer House in the Loop! But in between or after attending scientific sessions geared toward taking care of your community, take time to enjoy our city and treat yourself! As every psychiatrist has said, “Self-care is important.”

• Treat yourself to a scenic walk: A city of steel, Chicago is also a city of well-tended parks and public spaces. Walk a block over to Millennium Park, home of Cloudgate (aka the Bean) and many other stunning installations; next door are equally intriguing Grant Park and Maggie Daley Park. Walk a few blocks north to the scenic Riverwalk, a project over a century in the making, or go kayaking or biking. For longer walks, there are over 18 miles of beautiful lakefront trail along nearby Lake Michigan.

• Treat yourself to amazing architecture: When walking around, look up—Chicagoans are proud of our iconic skyline and our long history as a laboratory for architectural innovation. The interiors are equally beautiful; my personal favorites are the Chicago Cultural Center with its mosaics and the Rookery with its famous Instagrammable staircase. Get a bird’s eye view of Lake Michigan and neighboring states from the observation decks of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and the John Hancock Building. But of course, every Chicagoan knows the best way to admire our architecture is by boat, via the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

• Treat yourself to art and culture: Chicago has some of the best museums in the world. You can spend hours at the Art Institute (of Ferris Bueller fame), only a block away from the Palmer House. Take a little longer walk and you’re on the lakeshore’s Museum District with its Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A short ride to the South Side gets you to my favorite museum as a kid (and adult), the Museum of Science and Industry. And there are dozens more for all tastes.

• Treat yourself to a show: Chicago has a vibrant theater scene—including our own running production of “Hamilton” and dramatic fare at the Steppenwolf and Goodman. Dress up for a concert at the Chicago Symphony Center or Lyric Opera. For lighthearted fare, check out the Chicago comedy scene, where many “Saturday Night Live” alums got their start—including in such venues as Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Try the Improvised Shakespeare Company if you prefer your laughs in iambic pentameter.

• Treat yourself to some retail therapy: From flagship stores to boutiques, Chicago is a shopping haven. Stroll up and down State Street right outside the Palmer House or walk farther up Michigan Avenue to the Magnificent Mile’s famed shopping boulevard and beyond that the international couture of Oak Street. Historic Jewelers Row in the Loop is also worth a visit, as is the nearby French Market in West Loop. For more local and seasonal fare, check out the farmers’ markets, including the Daley Plaza Farmers Market on Thursdays.

• Treat yourself to a nice meal (or a drink): Everyone knows about Chicago’s deep dish pizza, and the main staples—Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, Gino’s East, Uno’s—all have locations downtown. But Chicago has so much more, from high-end eateries to high-concept food halls such as Revival in downtown and thriving ethnic culinary enclaves—Indian, Greek, Filipino are just a few. Many eateries offering delectable fare are in the Loop itself; many more are just across the river in the River North and West Loop neighborhoods. And to top it off, Chicago is one of the few cities that does beer, wine, and spirits equally well, from dive bars to gastropubs. My recommendation, weather permitting? Enjoy a drink with a view at Cindy’s Rooftop at the Chicago Athletic Association one block over or the rooftop patio of LondonHouse overlooking the Chicago River.

Chicago combines the best of Midwestern hospitality and kindness with cosmopolitan glamour. And if you can’t find what you like downtown, we have many other neighborhoods that might tickle your fancy. We welcome you to learn how to take care of your communities, but also take care of yourself too. ■