Chicago is my kind of town and has been for nearly nineteen years! I can’t imagine a better big city setting, especially for the time of year featured in How to Spot a Fake (aka the holidays!). If you want a magical Christmas-time experience, you need to visit. From the Magnificent Mile lighting parade to the Walnut Room on State Street, Chicago has all the best on offer during the holiday season.

But you don’t need to wait until November to visit the locations in my book.

Chicago Cultural Center

This landmark draws visitor for its Tiffany dome and free cultural events. Steps from Millennium Park, it’s very accessible for downtown tours.

Palmer House

My very favorite hotel anywhere (and that’s a big statement, because hotels are my love language). It is a grand building you can stay in or stop in for a drink in the stately lobby bar (and marvel at the architecture).

Lake Forest

A beautiful suburb north of the city. This is the location of the mansion in the book (although the actual mansion is fictional). The city has many grand historic homes and often hosts tours and lectures. I have linked to the preservation foundation. Through this organization, I’ve signed up for a special tour of a remarkable property, Crab Tree Farm. They host a lot of great events for those interested in historical properties.