Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
17 East Monroe St., Chicago, Illinois 60603
Original Property Opened in 1871
Historic Hotels of America member since 2007
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Celebrating well more than a century of history, Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel, is both listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a Chicago landmark designated by the Chicago Landmarks Commission. The original structure, built by Potter Palmer as a wedding present for his bride, was 13 days old when it burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Palmer immediately rebuilt the hotel across the street sparing no expense, and reportedly tiled the floor of the hotel’s barber shop with silver dollars. The current Palmer House was built over a three-year period in successive stages and remains the longest continually operating hotel in North America.
Discover
- Discover the Beaux-Arts-style façade of Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel. This 25-story hotel is the longest continually operating hotel in North America, that dates back to 1871.
- Marvel at the hotel’s French-inspired lobby including the magnificent ceiling of 21 Grecian murals by French artist Louis Pierre Rigal, and the majestic Tiffany & Co. 24-karat gold Winged Angels that each weigh 1.25 tons.
- Admire the amazing heritage of the Palmer House®, A Hilton Hotel. Many illustrious guests have stayed at the hotel over the years, including President Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde. It was even the site for the formation of the historic Big Ten Conference in 1895.
Explore
- Visit Adler Planetarium, a public museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics, which was the first planetarium in the United States.
- Explore the Field Museum, one of the largest natural history museums in the world, whose collection grew out of the items on display at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago more than a century ago.
- Travel to Millennium Park nearby. While there see Cloud Gate, one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations, lovingly nicknamed “The Bean” for its unique shape.
Experience
- Stroll along Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. Discover an endless list of high-end shopping destinations and gourmet restaurants that together make one of the world’s greatest retail experiences.
- Climb to the top of Willis Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States and the Western hemisphere, and enjoy the view of four states from the Skydeck, which is the highest observation deck in the United States.
- Enjoy live comedy at The Second City Theater, the improvisational theater and training conservatory for many of the world’s funniest and memorable comedians in the world including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert.
Taste
- Taste the famous Palmer House Brownie. This confectionary delight we have come to know as the brownie was created in the Palmer House Kitchen in the late 19th century.
- Taste the best that Chicago has to offer by sampling the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. This beloved dish is found all around the city though a standout is Lou Malnati’s Pizza. No trip to Chicago is ever complete without this local culinary pastime
- Board a water taxi and sail down the Chicago River to Chinatown to dine on authentic cuisine prepared fresh each day. There are a variety of restaurants, cafés, dim sum spots, and tea houses to choose from.
- Savor a classic Chicago-style hot dog at Portillo’s, a Chicago mainstay since 1963. Portillo’s has a wide and tasty menu. Don’t leave without also trying the smoothie of the day.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The next trip could be twice as rewarding with the 2X Points Package when you book your stay at select Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Book a week long vacation, escape for a weekend, or make the most of that next business trip.
Up to 30% savings to honor the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Month.
Wake up to breakfast for the family and internet access when you book the Family Fun Package at any participating hotel or resort. And now, you can also enjoy the Family Fun Package at many of our locations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa where you'll enjoy the same benefits.
