Grant Park anchors the Bank of America Chicago Marathon start and finish on October 10, 2027, and the hotels along South Michigan Avenue put you within a few minutes on foot.
The five properties below were chosen for proximity to the park, star rating, and the kind of amenities that matter after race day: a restaurant on-site, a gym for shakeout runs, and enough room to spread out. The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo runs Thursday through Saturday at McCormick Place, about two miles south; from Roosevelt station the Green Line gets you there in one stop.
How we measured the walk to the Chicago Marathon finish line
Grant Park stretches along Michigan Avenue from Randolph Street south to Roosevelt Road, and the marathon starts and finishes inside the park along Columbus Drive. Walking distances below are measured from each hotel's front door to the park entrance on Michigan Avenue nearest the finish area, at an average pace of 20 minutes per mile. Here is where each hotel is on that stretch:
- Hilton Chicago: at 720 S Michigan Ave, directly across the street from the park.
- Congress Plaza Hotel: at 520 S Michigan Ave, one block north of the Blackstone, with direct park-facing views.
- The Blackstone, Autograph Collection: at 636 S Michigan Ave, a 5-minute walk to the park's edge.
- Sentral Michigan Avenue: at 808 S Michigan Ave, about 6 minutes on foot from the finish area.
- Le Méridien Essex Chicago: at 800 S Michigan Ave, sharing a block with Sentral and 6 minutes from the park on foot.
Hotels near the Chicago Marathon at a glance
| Hotel | Address | Walk to Grant Park | Star rating | Guest score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Chicago | 720 S Michigan Ave | 2 min (0.1 mi) | 3 stars | 8.0 |
| Congress Plaza Hotel | 520 S Michigan Ave | 5 min (0.25 mi) | 3 stars | 7.8 |
| The Blackstone, Autograph Collection | 636 S Michigan Ave | 5 min (0.24 mi) | 4 stars | 8.8 |
| Sentral Michigan Avenue | 808 S Michigan Ave | 6 min (0.28 mi) | 3 stars | 9.8 |
| Le Méridien Essex Chicago | 800 S Michigan Ave | 6 min (0.30 mi) | 4 stars | 8.4 |
Race weekend logistics worth knowing
- The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo runs Thursday through Saturday at McCormick Place, about two miles south of these hotels. From Roosevelt station, the Green Line gets you there in one stop.
- Michigan Avenue closes to traffic on race morning. If you are driving in, plan to arrive by 6 a.m. or use the CTA Red Line to Roosevelt or Jackson.
- Post-race, the finish line area stays crowded for several hours. Hotels directly on Michigan Avenue let you duck off the course without navigating cross streets.
- Race morning starts early, so ask your hotel what time breakfast opens before you book.
Chicago Marathon hotels: what each property offers runners
Hilton Chicago is the closest full-service option, directly across Michigan Avenue from the park. The hotel has a pool, a gym, and multiple restaurants, covering most recovery needs without leaving the building.
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection is a 4-star property in a restored 1910 building with a fitness center and bar. It is on Michigan Avenue at 636 S, a 5-minute walk to the park's edge, and carries the second-highest guest score on this list at 8.8.
Congress Plaza Hotel is an independent 3-star property at 520 S Michigan Ave with direct park-facing rooms. It's the cheapest way onto the course corridor on this list, 0.25 miles from the finish area.
Sentral Michigan Avenue at 808 S Michigan Ave offers apartment-style suites with kitchenettes for runners who want to prep their own pre-race meals. Its guest score of 9.8 is the highest on this list. Le Méridien Essex Chicago at 800 S Michigan Ave is a Marriott-brand 4-star hotel with a restaurant and a fitness center, sharing a block with Sentral and 6 minutes from the park on foot.
Chicago Marathon hotel picks
The five hotels above cover the stretch of South Michigan Avenue from 520 to 808, all within a 6-minute walk of Grant Park. Proximity to the finish line is the clearest advantage: on race morning, when Michigan Avenue closes and rideshares become unreliable, a 2-to-6-minute walk is the difference between a relaxed start and a stressful one.
You don't want to find out about a parking rule on race weekend. Do I need a car in Chicago answers that before you book, and Chicago travel tips covers the CTA and the October weather. If South Michigan Avenue is beyond budget on marathon weekend, cheap hotels in Chicago is the wider list.
The hotels
Hilton Chicago
720 S Michigan Ave
8.02,229 reviews
5 min walk to Harrison (Red)The closest full-service hotel to Grant Park on this list, with a pool and gym for post-race recovery under one roof.
View hotel →
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 South Michigan Avenue
7.8895 reviews
3 min walk to Harrison (Red)Rooms face the park, and it's the most affordable way to stay on the course corridor.
View hotel →
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
636 S Michigan Ave
8.8427 reviews
4 min walk to Harrison (Red)The Blackstone is a restored 1910 property at 636 S Michigan Ave, 0.24 miles from Grant Park, with a guest score of 8.8 and a fitness center for shakeout runs.
View hotel →
Sentral Michigan Avenue
808 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
9.82,667 reviews
5 min walk to Harrison (Red)Apartment-style suites with kitchenettes, so you can cook your own pre-race meals, and a 9.8 guest score.
View hotel →
Le Méridien Essex Chicago
800 S Michigan Ave
8.4168 reviews
5 min walk to Harrison (Red)A 4-star Marriott hotel with Grant Park Bistro on site, 0.30 miles from Grant Park and 6 minutes on foot from the finish area.
View hotel →
Planning a longer stay? See all our Chicago hotel guides.
Evenings near Grant Park this week
Here’s what’s on within a 20-minute walk of Grant Park over the next few nights.
Tuesday, November 10
Wednesday, November 11
Thursday, November 12
Friday, November 13
Listings by Outgoing. Times and prices can change, so check the listing before you go.
Things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to the Grant Park finish line for the Chicago Marathon?＋
The Hilton Chicago at 720 S Michigan Ave is the closest full-service hotel, directly across the street from Grant Park. You can reach the park entrance in about 2 minutes on foot.
When does the Bank of America Chicago Marathon take place?＋
The 2027 race is on Sunday, October 10, 2027. The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo opens Thursday through Saturday at McCormick Place, about two miles south and one stop on the Green Line from Roosevelt.
Is it worth staying on Michigan Avenue for the marathon?＋
For most runners, yes. Michigan Avenue runs along the eastern edge of Grant Park, so hotels on this corridor put you within walking distance of the start corrals and the finish line. You avoid the need for a taxi or rideshare on race morning when roads close early.
Which hotel is best for runners who want to cook their own pre-race meals?＋
Sentral Michigan Avenue at 808 S Michigan Ave offers apartment-style suites with kitchenettes. It is 0.28 miles from Grant Park and has the highest guest score of any property on this list.
What CTA train line serves the hotels on South Michigan Avenue?＋
The CTA Red Line is the most useful for this stretch. The Harrison station at 600 S State St is a 3-to-5-minute walk from most of these hotels. The Hilton Chicago is about a 5-minute walk from Harrison.
Are there mid-range options close to Grant Park for the marathon?＋
Congress Plaza Hotel at 520 S Michigan Ave is the most affordable property on Michigan Avenue with direct park views. It is 0.25 miles from Grant Park and a 5-minute walk to the finish area.
