We’re a month away from packing our bags and heading to Chicago for the 2017 PPS Annual Conference. This annual event brings together some of the top minds in Physical Therapy business management, and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say. If you’re looking for an insider’s scoop on all things Chicago, check out the below list of our favorite Chicago cultural, exercising and dining spots.

1. Pick Up a Tin at Garrett Popcorn Shop

10 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602

Garett Popcorn Shops have been churning out delicious popcorn since their doors opened in 1949. Through a mix of high-quality ingredients and a proprietary blend of kernels, each piece of popcorn is a work of delicious art. While people love Garrett’s original butter popcorn and few can resist their cheese blend, we can’t get enough of their CaramelCrisp. No trip to Chicago is complete without grabbing a bag (or a tin, we don’t judge) of this delicious treat.

2. Swing by The Original Paper Source Store

125 S Clark St, Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60603

The first Paper Source store was opened by Sue Lindstrom in Chicago in 1983 to showcase beautiful handcrafted papers from around the world. To walk through their aisles is to walk through some of the most unique and artistic paper products available. If you’re looking for a unique wedding stationery, décor, or that perfect birthday card, The Original Paper Source Store has you covered!

3. Grab a Slice at Lou Malnati’s Chicago Style Pizza

1120 North State Street (at State & Rush), Chicago, IL 60610

No trip to Chicago is complete without a slide of deep dish Chicago style pizza. Sure New York may have perfected the slice, but Chicago has the pie on lock! While there are hundreds of pizzerias in the city, if you want the true Chicago pizza experience, you have to go with Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati’s has been a premier destination for Chicago deep dish since 1971.

4. Check Out Hamilton at the CIBC Theater

18 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Musical fan? Then don’t miss out on the chance to catch the Tony Award-Winning Musical. With shows every day of the conference, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take a break and check out Lin-Manuel’s latest masterpiece at the CIBC Theatre.  Buy tickets to Hamilton here.

 5. Get Your Culture Fix With The Tsavo Lions at the Field Museum

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

The Field Museum is known for bringing natural science to life with their interesting and unique exhibits. The Tsavo Lions exhibit allows visitors to explore the legendary story of the man-eating lions of Tsavo. These two lions are famous for attacking and consuming workers in 1898 at a railroad camp on the Tsavo River, in what is now Kenya. The pair of lions reportedly killed and ate 135 people over the course of nine months. The attacks came to an end when Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson shot and killed the lions in late 1898. Learn more by checking out the exhibit.

6. Shop the Magnificent Mile

13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the banks of the Chicago River to Oak Street

Paris might have the Champs-Élysées, but we’ll take Chicago’s Magnificent Mile any day. The Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s premier commercial district that includes delicious restaurants, swanky hotels, and shops galore. The Magnificent Mile is also home to some of Chicago’s top landmarks including the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Center (which boasts a rooftop observation with jaw-dropping panoramic city views).

7. Run Along Lakefront Trail

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail hugs the coast of Lake Michigan for 19 miles. The trail starts at the south end of the South Shore Cultural Center and heads north through downtown Chicago before ending a few miles north of Lincoln Park. Along the way, you’ll pass beaches, parks, and other major tourists attractions. A perfect spot for a morning workout or a mid-day break.

Are you attending PPS in Chicago? Come visit us at Booth #810 and try out one of our EcoPro Pillow Covers. We’ll have special conference offers, so you won’t want to miss out!