A Stay at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is one of downtown Chicago’s most distinctive and historic places to stay, blending Gilded Age elegance with modern boutique design. Located directly across from Millennium Park, the hotel occupies a striking Venetian Gothic building originally completed in 1893 as a private men’s athletic club.

After more than a century as an exclusive club, the building underwent a major restoration and reopened in 2015 as a luxury hotel. Today, it retains many of its original architectural details, including marble staircases, stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces, and intricate woodwork. Walking through the property feels like stepping back in time, with spaces such as the Drawing Room offering a cozy, library-like atmosphere filled with vintage charm.

The hotel features around 240 guest rooms, each designed to reflect its athletic heritage with unique touches like pommel horse benches and vintage-inspired furnishings. Modern amenities are seamlessly integrated, ensuring comfort while preserving the building’s historic character.

One of the standout features is the hotel’s lively social spaces. The Game Room, set in a former boxing area, includes billiards, shuffleboard, and bocce ball, while the restored basketball court offers a playful nod to the building’s past. Dining is also a highlight, with multiple venues including a popular rooftop restaurant offering sweeping views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

Overall, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is more than just a place to stay—it’s an immersive experience that celebrates Chicago’s history, architecture, and vibrant social culture.

Game Room at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

The Game Room at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is one of the property’s most lively and unique spaces, blending historic charm with playful entertainment. Originally the building’s billiards room when it operated as a private men’s club, the space has been transformed into a welcoming social hub open to guests and visitors alike.

Designed to reflect the spirit of old athletic clubs, the Game Room features dark wood interiors, vintage details, and a relaxed, club-like atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of classic games, including billiards, shuffleboard, bocce ball, chess, and foosball, along with nostalgic favorites like skeeball and Pop-A-Shot basketball.

Beyond the games, the space functions as a full-service bar and restaurant, offering casual, shareable food inspired by classic concession and street fare, alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine. The combination of food, drinks, and friendly competition creates a vibrant, social environment that appeals to both hotel guests and locals.

Ghost Town of Rhyolite, Nevada

Located near the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park, the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Once a mining town of over 3000 people at the beginning of the 20th century, Rhyolite was almost completely abandoned by 1920.

While much of the town has vanished, a few prominent structures remain - like the train depot, bottle house, and ruins of the old bank. Similar to East Jesus in Slab City, part of Rhyolite has been transformed by outdoor sculptures and art projects. Surrounded by some relatively harsh desert, the ghost town of Rhyolite is a welcome bit of novelty to explore.