Things to do near The Drake: lakefront, museums, and shopping
The Drake sits at the north end of the Magnificent Mile directly across from Oak Street Beach, so your top options are lakefront time (beach, Lakefront Trail, bike rentals), nearby museums and observation decks (Museum of Contemporary Art, 360 CHICAGO), and shopping on Michigan Avenue including Water Tower Place. All are within easy walking distance and the hotel concierge can help with bike rentals, tours, and tickets.
In this guide
Oak Street Beach and the Lakefront
Oak Street Beach is directly across the street from The Drake and is commonly described as a 3–5 minute walk from the hotel, putting sand and shoreline within immediate reach for morning walks or a quick beach stop.
The hotel markets itself as one of the closest downtown hotels to the beach, so beaches and lakefront breezes are an easy, no-transfer activity during your stay.
- Quick beach walk: roughly 3–5 minutes on foot.
- Good for sunbathing, short swims in warm months, and shoreline photos.
- Bring layers — the lakefront is often cooler and windier than inland streets.
| What to bring | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen & hat | Protection from mid-day sun on the exposed beach |
| Light windbreaker | Lake breezes can be strong even on warm days |
| Comfortable walking shoes | For promenades on sand, paths, and nearby sidewalks |
Lakefront Trail: biking, jogging, and rentals
The Lakefront Trail for walking, running, or cycling is within about a five-minute walk of The Drake. The hotel concierge can point you to nearby bike rental stands and guided cycling options.
The trail runs along Lake Michigan and is a good way to get active without leaving the lakefront; expect popular sections near the hotel during nice weather.
- Trail use: walking, running, biking.
- Ask concierge for current nearby bike rental locations.
- Trail surfaces are paved and shared — watch for cyclists and joggers.
| Activity | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Morning jog | Early to mid-morning to avoid crowds |
| Leisure bike ride | Late morning to afternoon |
| Sunset walk | Evening for lake views and skyline light |
Museums and observation decks
Several cultural stops are within easy walking distance: the Museum of Contemporary Art and the 360 CHICAGO observation deck are both about a 5–7 minute walk from The Drake, according to local listings.
For longer museum visits — the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum are farther away (roughly 1.5–2 miles or a short transit ride) and make good half-day excursions.
- Museum of Contemporary Art: about 5–7 minutes on foot.
- 360 CHICAGO (John Hancock Center): about a 5-minute walk for city and lake views.
- Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium: around 2 miles; plan transit or a longer walk.
| Nearby museum/attraction | Approx. walk |
|---|---|
| Museum of Contemporary Art | 5–7 minutes |
| 360 CHICAGO / John Hancock Center | About 5 minutes |
| Art Institute of Chicago | About 20 minutes or short subway ride |
Shopping on the Magnificent Mile and Water Tower Place
The Drake anchors the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, with Michigan Avenue shopping beginning at the hotel's ground level. Water Tower Place is listed at about 0.1 mile from the hotel and is an easy walk.
Whether you want flagship stores, designer boutiques, or mall shopping, most options on the Mile are within a short walking distance from the hotel.
- Magnificent Mile shopping starts at the hotel's doorstep.
- Water Tower Place: roughly 0.1 mile (easy walk).
- Streets are pedestrian-friendly but busy; allow extra time if carrying bags.
| Where | Why go |
|---|---|
| Michigan Avenue | Flagship stores and boutiques |
| Water Tower Place | Mall-style shopping and dining |
| Gold Coast neighborhood | Quieter streets and boutique shopping near the hotel |
Hotel dining and tea at The Drake
On-site dining options include Palm Court for afternoon tea, Coq d'Or for cocktails and American fare, and Cafe on Oak for breakfast overlooking Lake Michigan. Palm Court serves Afternoon Tea Friday through Sunday from 12:00pm–4:30pm and reservations are highly encouraged.
Coq d'Or is a historic cocktail bar on the Arcade Level with walk-in seating and business-casual dress expectations; Cafe on Oak offers a la carte breakfast hours and views of the lake on weekend mornings.
- Palm Court: Afternoon Tea Friday–Sunday, 12:00pm–4:30pm; Prince & Princess Tea for ages 3–12 is available.
- Coq d'Or: open daily (see venue hours); walk-ins welcome, Business Casual dress code.
- Cafe on Oak: breakfast overlooking Lake Michigan; weekend hours listed, check front desk for weekday times.
| Venue | Main offering |
|---|---|
| Palm Court | Afternoon tea service |
| Coq d'Or | Historic cocktail bar and American fare |
| Cafe on Oak | Breakfast overlooking Lake Michigan |
Short day trips and boat tours
If you want to leave the immediate lakefront and shopping area, common day trips from Chicago listed for guests include Lake Geneva (Wisconsin), Milwaukee, and Indiana Dunes; these are typically best as half- or full-day outings and require a car or organized tour.
Seasonal boat and architecture cruises on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River are popular warm-season activities — the hotel concierge can help with bookings and current schedules.
- Lake Geneva: commonly listed as a 1h25–1h30 drive from Chicago.
- Milwaukee and Indiana Dunes are frequent day-trip suggestions; plan for travel time and seasonality.
- Boat/architecture cruises: a warm-season recommendation; check concierge for operators and timing.
| Trip | Typical travel time from downtown |
|---|---|
| Lake Geneva (WI) | About 1 hour 25–30 minutes by car |
| Milwaukee (WI) | Common day-trip; travel time varies |
| Indiana Dunes | Common day-trip; travel time varies |
