Timeline
16:04
Grab a coffee or a quick bite at the shops on Michigan Avenue before the crowds swell. The mall is open late enough to catch the pre-sunset light reflecting off the lake.
16:34
Walk 9 minutes NNE to 360 Chicago. Head up to the 94th-floor viewing platform. Position yourself to face WSW to watch the sun drop below the horizon over the water.
16:59
Head down and walk 3 minutes to Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop near the Water Tower. It is the perfect spot to warm up with a hot fudge sundae or soda fountain treat while the sky turns deep blue.
17:29
Walk 8 minutes to Andy’s Jazz Club. This is a straight-ahead jazz club that feels less pretentious than many downtown venues. Check the door for the cover charge and find a seat for the nightly performance.
Local tip
The walk from the viewing platform to Ghirardelli is short, but the streets can be cold in January. Bundle up. Andy’s Jazz Club is open until 1:30 AM on weekdays, so you can linger after the set.
Check before you go
- 360 Chicago is open late, but check their website for specific closing times on your visit date.
- Andy’s Jazz Club has a cover charge and dinner options ($15-25). Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).