NeoCon 2019: 5 Spots to Hit Over Lunch Hour in Chicago

You may only be in Chicago for 24 hours during NeoCon, but it doesn't mean you can't explore the city! Use your lunch hour wisely, and you can still experience some of the best art, food and drinks Chicago has to offer.

We have chosen 5 spots near theMART (not Millennium Park or Cloud Gate) that you can visit within an hour:

1. Visit the Chicago Cultural Center – 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

Take in the two magnificent stained-glass domes at the Chicago Cultural Center. Completed in 1897, this former public library is decorated with rare marbles, polished brass, glass mosaics, and other stunning materials. Admission is free.

2. Try the Best Ramen in Town – 163 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607

If you're in the mood for ramen (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you be?) drop by Kinton Ramen. This Japanese-focused bar has some of the best quality noodles and broth in the city. They specialize in customizable pork and chicken ramen bowls, but their menu also includes tapas and vegetarian dishes. Try their matcha colada (similar to a piña colada but with matcha). It’s to die for!

3. Take a Guided Tour at the Chicago Theatre – 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

This 1920s landmark is a must-visit for performing arts fans. Chicago Theatre is recognized for its famous marquee, but its Baroque and Neo-Baroque influenced architecture is also worth admiring. Drop by at noon for a daily one-hour guided tour aptly named the Marquee Tour. 

4. Go On a Public Art Stroll

Stay in the North Loop for a public art stroll! Start at Alexander Calder's Flamingo, an eye-catching Constructivist steel structure. Then, head north to admire the Marquette Building. Completed in 1895, its stunning interior is a prime example of the Chicago School of architecture.

About a block north is Marc Chagall's Four Seasons mosaic, a colorful depiction wrapped around four walls. Then, head northwest to your next stop: Joan Miró's Chicago, a mixed media sculpture tucked into a courtyard. Finally, just a few steps away is The Picasso. Pablo Picasso intended the 50-foot Cubist sculpture as a gift to the city (he had refused payment upon its completion). 

Bonus: Blues fans can visit the dazzling Muddy Waters Mural just a block east of The Picasso. 

5. Sneak Into a Bar Hidden Inside an Old Janitor’s Closet –  312 W Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60610

After a full day of walking eight floors of theMART, head out with a couple of friends to Janitor’s Closet, a 15-seat bar that evokes a sense of wanderlust. Hidden inside boutique hotel FieldHouse Jones, the bar keeps up the janitor’s theme with mops, Pine-Sol boxes and T-shirt rags. Their list of drinks includes “Brown Line” (mezcal, tequila with pineapple, tamarind, lime) and our personal favorite, “9 Mile” (a twist on a 12 Mile Limit with Wray and Nephew Jamaican rum and grenadine).

Visit the Global showroom on the 10th floor of theMART to see our latest products at NeoCon this year.