Conference corner: A local’s perspective on making the most of Chicago, vol. 1

Editor's note: The ACDIS national conference is coming to the Windy City May 8-11, 2023, and we’re calling all Chicagoans and those from the surrounding area to tell us what tips and tricks you have! ACDIS would love to share what makes the city—and Illinois in general—so special. If you have advice to share, please pen a short article or even just jot a few notes in bullet points and send them to ACDIS Director of Programming Rebecca Hendren (rhendren@acdis.org) and we’ll continue this series. Now, enjoy our first submission of local advice on how to best enjoy Chicago from ACDIS friend Josh Zagarena, director of business development at Harmony Healthcare.

by Josh Zagarena

I didn’t grow up in Chicago or even Illinois for that matter. But I grew up 45 minutes from downtown in an area of Indiana known as “The Region.” It’s the little nook in Indiana that is also referred to as NWI (Northwest Indiana). It’s an area dominated by Bears fans, Chicago news, and there is even a train that connects us to the center of the city. While Illinois might not claim us, many of us feel intertwined with them.

Chicago has always held a special place in my heart since I first started visiting. When I visit now, it’s with a new outlook, an appreciation I didn’t quite have before but one that I am always happy to share. I spent many summer days at Wrigley catching Cubs games with my uncles (a stadium that didn’t have lights until 1989), eating hot dogs at Murphy’s Bleachers bar, and enjoying the best pizza on earth. I know what you’re thinking, it’s got to be the deep dish. Well, I’m here to highlight what a lot of Chicagoans really eat, and that is a “tavern” style pizza.

A thin, crispy, nearly cracker-style crust pizza. This pizza is always cut party style (small squares) and is always best with an ice-cold beer. There are probably hundreds of locations in the Chicagoland where you can find this type of pizza, and everyone has their favorites. Whether it’s Phil’s, Pat’s, D’Agostino’s, or another favorite corner spot.

Now that you have a belly full of pizza, I’m sure you’re ready for some walking and here is where the Field Museum will help keep you moving and entertained. A wonderful interactive experience that is sure to capture the attention of anyone at any age. Taking field trips here as a kid was always the highlight of our school year. A long bus ride, cold sandwiches, and experiencing Big SUE!

After a long day, there are many options for dining all over the city. But what I am typically after is a view of the city from interesting angles and a cocktail. At the top of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel is a bar named Cindy’s, that is open to the public (you access it through the hotel elevators on the first floor). This bar boasts one of the more unique views in the city. It overlooks The Bean at Millennium Park as well as Michigan lake. I like to enjoy an old fashioned while taking in this view before heading off to bed.

I hope you enjoy your time in the city and that, no matter where you go, you experience “Chicago-nice.”