Arrival & Check-in, Program Registration, Orientation & Getting to Know You, Opening Presentation

Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: You may check in beginning at 3:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you get your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar registration desk to pick up your arrival packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule, and additional program information that we'll review during our orientation session after dinner.

Please be aware that local circumstances may be require adjusting schedules and/or program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

Dinner: We'll gather in the hotel and board our bus for dinner out at a favorite local restaurant. As you relish this first taste of Chicago, make it an opportunity to begin getting acquainted with your fellow participants.

Evening: ORIENTATION: Returning to the hotel, we’ll have an informative overview of the program including responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and any other administrative issues. We’ll also review the up-to-date schedule and answer any questions you may have.

PRESENTATION: History of food in Chicago with a representative from City Hall. The city is justly proud of its heritage and provides extensive information services about food and dining in the Visitor Center of the Chicago Cultural Center.

Lodging: Club Quarters

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel is a full buffet with tasty hot and cold entrées and more.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: As we board our motorcoach, we will be joined by our very own expert Culinary Concierge who will lead our driving exploration of more than a dozen of the city’s ethnic neighborhoods. All of your senses will be piqued as you learn about the multi-ethnic nature of the city and the profound impact these cultures have had on Chicago’s culinary culture. In addition to several stops for tastings and to stretch our legs as we see something of the neighborhood, we’ll also enjoy savory samples brought on board.

Lunch: Lunch will continue our exploration and enjoyment of ethnic flavor as we dine out at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: We continue our study of ethnic neighborhoods and their vitality as expressed in food. Chicago has 77 areas identified with a distinctive heritage and community spirit that run the gamut of delicious tastes. To name just some of the identities we’ll explore: German, Polish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, and Vietnamese. It wouldn’t be complete, of course, without a stop at a Jewish deli!

Dinner: Tonight you'll experience authentic Chicago-style pizza at a noted pizzeria. What makes it different from others? Taste and see!

Evening: PRESENTATION: Iconic Chicago Foods. Learn more about foods that were invented here or that got characteristic interpretations.

Lodging: Club Quarters

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Full breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Green City Market. Founded in 1998, Chicago’s only year-round farmers’ market promotes local, sustainable agricultural practices and provides a marketplace that connects farmers and local producers directly to chefs, restaurateurs, and the greater Chicago community. We’ll go behind the scenes to see first-hand how an abundance of fresh, high-quality, locally produced food provides the basis for a regional cuisine.

Lunch: We’ll meet one the chefs at a renowned culinary school for a lesson in preparing locally produced, sustainable foods. As a special highlight, participants will work alongside the chef to make lunch and then enjoy the fruits of our labors in the school’s dining room.

Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON: We'll return to the hotel after lunch so you can begin to explore the city on your own.

Dinner: Dinner is on your own this evening to choose the restaurant(s) and cuisine(s) of your choice.

Evening: FREE EVENING: Continue your personal adventure of discovery. There are many, many activities and events to choose from, and your Group Leader will be happy offer suggestions.

Lodging: Club Quarters

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Full breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: PRESENTATION: A well known and respected restaurant critic will provide insights into contemporary Chicago dining trends and factors that lead to the success or failure of restaurants.

Lunch: PROGRESSIVE LUNCH: Led by an expert, we’ll have a walking-and-eating experience in the trendy Bucktown neighborhood, an up-and-coming “foodie” paradise. As we stroll along the streets, enjoy food tastings that range from historic Mom-and-Pop specialty food shops to one-of-a-kind ethnic eateries and the work of acclaimed food artisans. The tastiest way to learn!

Afternoon: We'll return to the hotel at approximately 3:30pm with time to relax until dinner.

Dinner: Dinner is out at a well-known Chicago eatery that includes a visit with the chef. Learn first-hand about Chicago as a restaurant town from the chef's perspective…

Lodging: Club Quarters

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Full breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Please be sure you have completed hotel check-out by 9:00am. You may leave your bags with the concierge until departure.

Morning: PRESENTATION: Expand your knowledge of the restaurant business with insider perspectives from a National Restaurant Association professional. Today's restaurant industry employs 12.7 million Americans in 945,000 locations. The National Restaurant Association represents more than 380,000 businesses from restaurants and suppliers to educators and non-profits, providing valuable resources and continuing education.

Lunch: Our final lunch is out at favorite “must-visit” restaurant noted for its excellent food and location.

Afternoon: The program concludes with lunch. We'll return to the hotel at approximately 1:00pm for departures.

We hope you have enjoyed this exciting new program and will return for other rewarding Road Scholar educational adventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch