Photographer’s Conference 2025
3 Days. Endless Inspiration.
July, 23 – 26, 2025
Hotel and Activities
From iconic landmarks to local food, art, and culture. We’ve mapped out top spots to help you explore with ease.
Hotel Details
21c Museum Hotel Chicago
55 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel. 312-660-6100
Activities, Food & Fun
The hotel has a modern seafood restaurant, Lure, or within a couple of blocks you will find: Eataly Chicago,
It’s Chicago, so there is a long list of great restaurants to enjoy. And if you are a fan of “The Bear” or want to make the most of the birthplace of the new pope, your timing couldn’t be better.
The NY Times just updated its list of the 25 best restaurants in Chicago with three new entries. Many establishments featured on the show can be found on their list, including Kasama and Avec, as well as Loaf Lounge in Avondale, which was featured on their list of the best bakeries in America and serves the very chocolate cake featured in the first season of “The Bear.”
And for the real eaters among us, Anthony Bourdain sanctified a hot-dog stand in Chi-town... we will let you be the judge.
Of course you must try Authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and Giordanos is the place we love.
And for something for the kernel heads among us, Kernels Gourmet Popcorn in Naperville is a Gittings favorite.
The 25 best restaurants in Chicago you have to try in 2025
Things to do
Planning your itinerary… the c21 Hotel is downtown Chicago on the north side of the Chicago River. It is a 20-minute walk to the Navy Pier or Millenium
Millenium Park
Navy Pier
Art Institute of Chicago
Thursday, 24 July dinner is on your own so consider heading to the top of Willis Tower (the former Sears Tower; Chicagoans hate the “new” name, too). If you are new-to-Chicago, we recommend the Architecture Boat Tour, a 90-minute cruise along the Chicago River where you’ll admire the architectural splendors of our city’s skyline. Another fabulous and free activity in Chicago this summer: The Grant Park Music Festival, now through Aug. 16, serves up live outdoor performances of classical music at the magnificent Jay Pritzker Pavilion. There are free concerts in Millennium Park on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the Photographers Conference.
Movie Trivia – Popular movies set in Chicago
The Blues Brothers (1980) Blues Brothers tour
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
The Color of Money (1986)
About Last Night (1986)
The Untouchables (1987)
Home Alone (1990)
Backdraft (1991)
Wayne’s World (1992)
The Fugitive (1993)
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
High Fidelity (2000)
Road to Perdition (2002)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Places to go:
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Explore Chicago-Style Blues
Iconic improv club The Second City
Skydeck Chicago on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower
And if you are a music lover, Lallapalooza is the following weekend in Chicago. 80+ epic performances across 8 stages.
Or if you are a sports fan, there is plenty to check out:
Seattle Mariners at Chicago Cubs
Wed, Jul 22 • 1:20 PM
Wrigley Field
Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire
Capture the Light. Define the Moment
All Attendees and Staff Participants
Full schedule, sessions, speakers, and more
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