A straightforward day trip: Navy Pier or Museum Campus from LondonHouse
Both Navy Pier and Museum Campus are easy day-trip choices from LondonHouse Chicago. Navy Pier is a straightforward 1.4-mile outing best reached by a 25–30 minute walk or short rideshare/CTA ride; Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium) is farther south and is easiest by rideshare or transit, with water-taxi/shuttle options seasonally.
In this guide
Getting there from LondonHouse Chicago
LondonHouse Chicago sits at 85 East Wacker Drive on the corner of Wacker Drive and North Michigan Avenue, beside the Chicago River. The hotel’s Riverwalk access and nearby transit options make short downtown trips convenient.
You can walk, take a rideshare/taxi, or use CTA transit. The nearest 'L' stop is Clark/Lake (about a 9-minute walk), and the Michigan Avenue water-taxi dock is a short walk on the Riverwalk at the north base of the DuSable (Michigan Avenue) Bridge.
- Walk: Pleasant for good-weather days; many riverfront and downtown routes are flat and scenic.
- Rideshare/Taxi: Fastest door-to-door option to Navy Pier or Museum Campus.
- Transit: CTA buses and the 'L' connect to points across downtown; check schedules for weekend service.
- Water taxi: Useful for select downtown destinations but does not stop directly at Navy Pier.
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | Good weather, scenic Riverwalk | Navy Pier ~25–30 minutes on foot |
| Rideshare/Taxi | Speed and convenience | Direct to Navy Pier or Museum Campus |
| Water Taxi | Riverfront stops and short hops | Does not stop at Navy Pier; check route maps |
Navy Pier: what to expect and how to plan
Navy Pier is a classic lakeside destination with attractions, seasonal events, dining and City Cruises departures near the pier. The hotel lists Navy Pier at about 1.4 miles from LondonHouse Chicago.
If you want to spend just a few hours, combine a walk along the Riverwalk with an afternoon on the pier or take a short rideshare for more time there.
- Walk in ~25–30 minutes from the hotel; route takes you north along the river/waterfront paths or via Michigan Avenue.
- Rideshare or taxi is the most direct option and will cut travel time substantially.
- City Cruises departs from near the pier for lake and skyline tours (tours usually depart from 600 E Grand Ave).
| Activity | Good for |
|---|---|
| Ferris wheel/ride amusements | Quick sightseeing and family-style fun |
| Restaurants and casual dining | Lunch or an early dinner before returning to the hotel |
| Boat tours (City Cruises) | Lake and skyline views; departs near Navy Pier |
Museum Campus: getting there and timing
Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium) sits south of downtown and is listed by the hotel as roughly 2.5 miles from LondonHouse Chicago. Because it’s farther, plan more travel time than for Navy Pier.
Rideshare or taxi is the most direct way to reach the campus. Seasonal water-taxi or Shoreline service can get you close to some lakefront beaches but won’t deliver you to every museum entrance, so check routes before you go.
- Allow extra time: travel plus walking across the campus can add up—plan a half day or full day if you want to visit a museum.
- Consider transit: CTA buses/trains provide service toward the Loop and Museum Campus but may require a short walk.
- Check museum hours and ticketing online before leaving the hotel to avoid lines.
| Museum | Typical visit length |
|---|---|
| Shedd Aquarium | 2–3 hours |
| Field Museum | 2–4 hours |
| Adler Planetarium | 1.5–3 hours |
Sample half-day and full-day itineraries
Pick Navy Pier for a lighter, more flexible half-day: morning coffee at Bridges Lobby Bar, a Riverwalk stroll, lunch on the pier, and a short boat tour if you like. Return to LondonHouse for an evening at LH Rooftop.
Choose Museum Campus for a fuller day: rideshare straight to the Field Museum or Shedd Aquarium, lunch at a campus café, then return to LondonHouse for dinner at LH on 21 or afternoon tea at Bridges Lobby Bar.
- Half-day — Navy Pier: Bridges Lobby Bar coffee → walk to Navy Pier → quick City Cruises tour → back for rooftop cocktails.
- Full-day — Museum Campus: Rideshare to Field Museum → Shedd or Adler next → return via taxi and dinner at LH on 21.
- Evening option: LH Rooftop is open 11:00 AM–12:00 AM (food service until 11:00 PM); note the rooftop enforces a 21+ minimum age at times.
| Trip length | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| Half-day | Navy Pier + short riverwalk + rooftop return |
| Full-day | Museum Campus visit + museum time + dinner at LH on 21 |
| Evening | LH Rooftop for cocktails (21+ enforced at rooftop) |
Dining and rest stops tied to your day trip
LondonHouse has on-site options that fit before-or-after plans: Bridges Lobby Bar overlooks the river and serves Afternoon Tea daily; LH on 21 on the 21st floor is a Contemporary American restaurant; LH Rooftop runs 11:00 AM–12:00 AM for cocktails and small bites.
The hotel’s daily destination charge includes a $10 daily food & beverage credit usable at Bridges Lobby Bar, LH on 21, and LH Rooftop. For parking validation, LH on 21 can validate valet for a limited time when dining.
- Bridges Lobby Bar: Afternoon Tea daily (reservations recommended; contact details available from the hotel).
- LH on 21: Casual Elegant Contemporary American dining; valet parking validation available ($20 for 4 hours when dining).
- LH Rooftop: tri-level rooftop bar open daily 11:00 AM–12:00 AM; weekend brunch 11:00 AM–2:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
| Venue | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Bridges Lobby Bar | Pre-walk coffee or Afternoon Tea, river views |
| LH on 21 | Lunch or dinner after returning from museums |
| LH Rooftop | Evening drinks or weekend brunch |
Practical tips and accessibility
Rooftop age policy: LH Rooftop enforces a 21+ minimum at times, separate from the hotel’s general check-in minimum of 21. The hotel requires a photo ID and credit card at check-in; listed check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is noon.
Parking at the property is valet only (no self-parking) and typically lists overnight valet around $80 per night with in/out privileges. The hotel does not operate an airport shuttle; use rideshare, taxi or CTA for airport transfers.
- Bring a photo ID if you plan to visit LH Rooftop or check in to the hotel.
- If you need premium Wi‑Fi or spa services, the hotel’s destination charge bundles a $20 spa credit and premium internet as part of the daily fee.
- There is no on-site pool; the hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and LH Spa by Windy City Massage on the 4th floor (spa hours and services are published on the hotel site).
| Need | Hotel policy/fact |
|---|---|
| Check-in time | 4:00 PM |
| Check-out time | 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Rooftop hours | 11:00 AM–12:00 AM (food until 11:00 PM) |
