HARRIS AND THE KELLER CENTER
1307 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
About the Keller Center
SIOE 2024 will be held at the Keller Center, the new home for the Harris School of Public Policy. Built in 1963 and renovated in 2018, the Keller Center is an exemplary work of architectural recycling. Located in the southeastern corner of campus, the building itself was fashioned with policy innovation and sustainability in mind. The entrance features a multilevel atrium that is meant to accommodate collaboration. The atrium’s wood paneling was locally sourced and milled, and community events are regularly held in the amphitheater pictured above. Over 10 percent of the building's energy is generated by rooftop solar panels, and rainwater is captured from the roof to divert over half a million gallons per year.
Pictured is a map of the University campus with the Keller Center highlighted in yellow.
WHAT TO DO IN HYDE PARK
The University of Chicago is in Hyde Park. The neighborhood offers a rich array of museums, cultural institutions, and scenic areas.
Promontory Point
Promontory Point is an artificial peninsula that extends into Lake Michigan and provides excellent views of the Chicago skyline. It was constructed using landfill and fortified with a revetment. The site features the fawn-shaped David Wallach Memorial Fountain, which offers water to both humans and local wildlife. During the Cold War, the park accommodated a radar tower for the Nike Hercules missile defense system, which was deconstructed in 1971. This is a great place for a morning run if you are staying in Hyde Park.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House
Completed in 1910, the Robie House (1908-1910) stands as a prominent example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style, which uses building elements inspired by the landscape and flora of the Midwestern prairie. As with Wright’s other residential homes, the architect meticulously crafted not only the exterior but also the interior, including the furniture, textiles, and windows. Conveniently located right on the University campus, tours of the exterior and interior are offered all week.
Location: 5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts, built for the World’s Columbian Exposition (Chicago World’s Fair) of 1893. It is the largest science museum in the country and is located just east of Hyde Park. You can experience interactive exhibits, including descending into a coal mine, boarding a Boeing 727, exploring a captured WWII submarine, and even controlling a 40-foot tornado.
Location: 5700 S. DuSable, Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637
The Osaka Garden
The Osaka Garden, also known as the Garden of the Phoenix, is situated on Wooded Island in Jackson Park. In 1893, Ho-o-den, the Phoenix Temple, was constructed originally by the Japanese Government for the World's Columbian Exposition. After the fair, Ho-o-den remained as a gift to Chicago. During the 20th Century, the garden underwent several renovations, with a notable project in 1992 celebrating the Sister City relationship between Chicago and Osaka.
Location: 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637
Next to the Osaka Garden is Sky Landing, a sculpture comprising lotus flower petals. Designed by the acclaimed musician and artist Yoko Ono, the sculpture was installed in 2016 as her first permanent public artwork in the US.
DOWNTOWN CHICAGO
The Art Institute
(Source: Secret Chicago)
The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned art museum and is among the largest collections of art in the United States. The Art Institute is most famous for its French Impressionist and post-Impressionist collection as well as mainstay pieces from the American canon. Located within the Loop right beside Millennium Park, it is also just a quick train ride from Hyde Park.
Location: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Museum Campus
(Source: Enjoy Illinois)
Just south of Millennium Park are several other world-class Chicago museums, including the Field Museum (dinosaurs and nature), Alder Planetarium (space), and the Shedd Aquarium (marine life). This scenic peninsula also features a beautiful view of the lake and wide walking and biking paths.
Architecture Tour
(Source: Expedia)
Among Chicago’s most famous attractions, the riverboat architecture tours offer an expert-guided cruise on the Chicago River that delves into the history and development of the storied downtown skyline. The river locale makes this an excellent stop before dinner in River North or West Loop.
Location: Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr
White Sox Baseball Game
(Source: MLB.com)
If you have a free afternoon, stop by Guaranteed Rate Stadium for a White Sox game to enjoy the culture of Chicago sports or a couple of Chicago-style hotdogs. The White Sox are at home playing the Dodgers June 24–26 and the Rockies June 28–30.
Navy Pier
(Source: navypier.org)
Check out Centennial Wheel and accompanying shops right on Lake Michigan. Navy Pier offers charming public artwork, cultural events, and a fireworks display every Saturday at 10:00pm. It is truly a must-see Chicago landmark.
RESTAURANTS
We have assembled reservations at various restaurants across Hyde Park and downtown Chicago for conference guests over the course of the weekend. We will provide a signup sheet for restaurant reservations a bit closer to the conference.
Hyde Park:
- Virtue (Southern): Virtue provides elevated Southern comfort food right in the neighborhood. Chef Erick Williams, a Chicago native and James Beard Award winner, has made the restaurant something of a local phenomenon.
- Nella Pizza e Pasta (Italian): Offering excellent Italian cuisine just off campus, Nella is a five-time Bib Gourmand award winner known for its Neapolitan slice.
- Ascione Bistro (Italian): With an enclosed heated patio, this restaurant offers classic Italian dishes with a modern twist.
West Loop:
- Gaijin (Japanese): Famous for its Okonomiaki (savory Japanese pancake) and Kakigori (shaved ice), this hip concept establishment was named the best Japanese restaurant in Chicago by the Michelin guide in 2021.
- Girl & The Goat (New American): Among the founding members of the West Loop’s Restaurant Row, Girl & The Goat offers bold flavor with a friendly feel.
- La Josie (Mexican): Offering an extensive agave bar, La Josie is a mix of upscale and casual Mexican dining with available rooftop seating.
- The Loyalist (New American): Located just beneath its Michelin three-starred sister restaurant, the Loyalist brings top-notch quality to the neighborhood bar culture that defines Chicago.
- Monteverde (Italian): This award-winning restaurant opened in 2017 under Top Chef finalist Sarah Grueneberg. Monteverde puts its emphasis on fresh pasta and elevated Italian classics.
- ROOH (Indian): A modern Chicago staple, ROOH, which translates to soul or spirit, offers a diverse set of progressive Indian cuisines as well as creative cocktails to match.
River North:
- Avec (Mediterranean): With locations in both River North and West Loop, Avec offers sharable dishes paired with an extensive southern European wine list.
- Avli (Greek): Boasting excellent contemporary Greek cuisine, Avli has multiple locations across Chicago with both large and small plates to share with guests.
- Indienne (Indian/French Fusion): This Michelin-starred restaurant expertly combines modern Indian cuisine with French precision and technique along with an extensive vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
- Obelix (French): This new addition to the River North restaurant scene offers decadent French classics with a modern twist.
- Tanta (Peruvian): Tanta offers the full gamut of Peruvian cuisine, from ceviche to fresh nigiri, along with a wide selection of South American beers.
- Beef (Chicago): A famous Italian beef restaurant, fans of FX’s The Bear will recognize this Chicago staple as the storefront and inspiration for the show. Reservations not available.
How to get to Keller:
Midway Airport is closer to both the UChicago campus and downtown Chicago than is O'Hare, making it a potentially preferable option for domestic travelers. However, for international travel O'Hare is likely the better (or only) option.
From O’Hare Airport:
An Uber or Lyft ride to or from O'Hare Airport can take anywhere from 30-80 minutes and range from $30 to $70 depending on time of day. If you opt for public transport, the fastest route is to take the Blue Line to Washington station (Block 37) in the Loop. You can then choose to walk to the Millennium Park Metra station and take the Metra’s commuter to 59th street. Alternatively, you can take the #6 Jeffery Express CTA bus or the #2 Hyde Park Express bus. You can also mix and match—say, take the Blue line downtown then Uber/Lyft to Hyde Park.
From Midway Airport:
An Uber or Lyft ride from Midway Airport takes only 20-35 minutes and costs around $20.