With 2.7 million residents, the “Windy City” of Chicago is the largest city in the Midwestern United States. It is a major transportation hub and trade center, largely due to its location on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago River. Tens of millions of visitors each year are attracted to its world-class museums, architecture, and offerings in music and the arts. The Palmer House is conveniently located in “The Loop” (Chicago's central business district), and there is much to see and do within walking distance of the hotel.

Parks: The lakefront area of Chicago consists primarily of open public parkland. Within walking distance of the Palmer House are Millennium Park (with its famous Cloud Gate sculpture), Grant Park (with the large Buckingham Fountain), and the new Maggie Daley Park. The popular Navy Pier is a focal point for family entertainment, and is the launching point for a number of lake cruises. Farther away to the north is the sprawling lakeside Lincoln Park, home to Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. and one of the few with free admission.

Museums: The Art Institute of Chicago, located just a few blocks from the Palmer House, was ranked as the top museum worldwide in 2014 by users of the TripAdvisor travel site. It hosts over 300,000 works of art, including a renowned collection of French Impressionist paintings. Farther south across the lakeside Grant Park lies the Museum Campus, home to the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. The Museum of Science and Industry, located in the lakeside Jackson Park and easily accessible via public transportation, is housed in the only surviving building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Architecture: Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper and is known worldwide for its historically significant architecture. The Chicago Architecture Foundation, with its public shop and ticket office just a few blocks from the Palmer House, runs a variety of popular walking and river boat tours led by knowledgeable docents.

The Arts: The premier musical institutions in Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, will be on summer break during the ACC. However, nearby Millennium Park and Grant Park host a variety of outdoor summer concerts. There are also several theaters within walking distance, including the famous Goodman Theatre, the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, and the historic Chicago Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and Bank of America Theatre. Chicago is also known for its jazz, blues, and improvisational comedy, and venues for such are located throughout the city.

Shopping and dining: The “Magnificent Mile,” Chicago's premier upscale shopping and dining district along upper Michigan Avenue, is within walking distance of the Palmer House. The nearby River North neighborhood is famous for its numerous art galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Sports Fans: A number of professional sports teams make their home in Chicago. While the Bears (NFL), Blackhawks (NHL), and Bulls (NBA) will be out of season, the Sky (Women's NBA), the Cubs and White Sox (both MLB), and the Fire (men's soccer) will all be in action at the time of the ACC.