RSNA Annual Meeting 2026: what to do in Chicago after hours

29 November to 3 December 2026 · ExpectedChicago, United StatesThe largest radiology meeting in the world

RSNA Annual Meeting keeps attendees on the show floor all day and leaves the evenings, the day after and partners' days free. This guide covers dinners that need booking, evening outings, a companion day and the day after in Chicago.

Tours in Chicago Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Chicago in early December is cold and windy: the Christkindlmarket is downtown.

Airport to McCormick Place

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes.

Official shuttles from hotels; Metra Electric to McCormick Place.

Public transport directions to McCormick Place

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	West Loop and South Loop	Near McCormick Place and the trains.
Mid-range	River North and the Loop	Walk to the river and Millennium Park.
Splurge	Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast	Grand hotels by the lake.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 28 November to 4 December. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual congress week schedule for 29 November to 3 December 2026. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Evening one

Sunday 29 November

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.

EveningBlues club night Evening · Nightlife
Live blues in the city that electrified it.
EatPequod's Caramelised-crust pizza

Evening two

Monday 30 November

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.

EatLou Malnati's Deep-dish pizza
After darkRiver North and Wicker Park.

Companion day

Monday 30 November

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.

Free ideaMillennium Park and the Bean.

The day after the show

Friday 4 December

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.

Half-dayArt Institute of Chicago Half day · Indoor · Low walking
World-class collection.
EatPortillo's Italian beef and hot dogs
FreeLincoln Park Zoo.

Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.

EatAu Cheval Burger in the West Loop
EveningLake Michigan sunset cruise Evening · Low walking · Nightlife
Skyline from the lake.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Chicago Architecture Center river cruise

The famous 90-minute river cruise.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Skydeck at Willis Tower

Glass ledge 103 floors up.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Bike tour of the lakefront

Lakefront trail and parks.

See times and prices

Field Museum.
Shedd Aquarium.
Museum of Science and Industry.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Blues club night

Live blues in the city that electrified it.

See times and prices

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Lake Michigan sunset cruise

Skyline from the lake.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife

Gangsters and ghosts tour

Prohibition history.

See times and prices

After dark

River North and Wicker Park.

8 tours worth booking for RSNA Annual Meeting

Tour	Length	Good for
Art Institute of Chicago	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Chicago Architecture Center river cruise	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Deep-dish pizza and food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Skydeck at Willis Tower	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Bike tour of the lakefront	Half day	Families
Blues club night	Evening	Night owls
Lake Michigan sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls
Gangsters and ghosts tour	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Lou Malnati's Deep-dish pizza
Portillo's Italian beef and hot dogs
Au Cheval Burger in the West Loop
Time Out Market Chicago Food hall
Girl and the Goat West Loop small plates
Pequod's Caramelised-crust pizza

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Art Institute of Chicago

World-class collection.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Skydeck at Willis Tower

Glass ledge 103 floors up.

See times and prices

Art Institute.
Field Museum.

Getting around on event days

CTA L trains and buses take contactless. McCormick Place has a Metra station and the #3 bus.

Day trips from Chicago

Milwaukee: 1.5 hours by train
Indiana Dunes: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for RSNA Annual Meeting.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is RSNA Annual Meeting 2026?

The next edition is 29 November to 3 December 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to McCormick Place?

O'Hare (ORD) has the CTA Blue Line to the Loop in 45 minutes; Midway (MDW) has the Orange Line in 25 minutes. Official shuttles from hotels; Metra Electric to McCormick Place.

Where should I stay for RSNA Annual Meeting?

For most visitors the best base is River North and the Loop: Walk to the river and Millennium Park.

What can we do between sessions at RSNA Annual Meeting?

Good short outings in Chicago include Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Deep-dish pizza and food tour, Skydeck at Willis Tower. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near RSNA Annual Meeting?

Family-friendly picks: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Skydeck at Willis Tower, Bike tour of the lakefront. Field Museum.

How far is McCormick Place from Chicago centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Official shuttles from hotels; Metra Electric to McCormick Place.

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