ClueCon 2026 Has a Home: The Midland Hotel, Chicago

We’re thrilled to share a major announcement: ClueCon 2026, taking place August 10-14, will officially be hosted at The Midland Hotel, Chicago!

Developers, technologists, and engineers, mark your calendars now. You’ll not only get to plunge into four days of panels, workshops, networking, and code, but you’ll be staying right in the heart of a world-class city and enjoying everything Chicago has to offer.

And when you stay with us in our ClueCon room block, you get a discount on registration, too!

Because you’ll be staying right where the action is, with convenient access to so many of Chicago’s top attractions, here’s ten things to do nearby if you have extra days in the city or you’ve scheduled time to explore during the week.

What’s nearby: Chicago highlights to explore

We host ClueCon in Chicago every year, so we’re no strangers to the Windy City. Based on our experience, here’s a curated list of attractions and experiences you can enjoy around the Midland Hotel.

1. Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower

Just 5 minutes’ walk from the Midland, the Skydeck gives you stunning views of Chicago from the 103rd floor. Dare to step out onto The Ledge, glass boxes that jut out from the building for a clear view straight down.

2. Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”)

A 20-minute walk (or shorter by transit) will get you to Millennium Park. It’s a focal point of Chicago’s “front yard,” the all-encompassing Grant Park. There, you’ll find iconic public art installations like Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain, frequent concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion, and beautifully landscaped spaces.

3. Art Institute of Chicago

About a 12-minute walk from the hotel, the Art Institute is one of the premier art museums in the world, with collections spanning Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, modern and contemporary art, architecture, design, and more.

4. Chicago Riverwalk and Architecture River Cruises

Take a 14-minute walk to the river and you’ll wind up at the iconic Chicago Riverwalk. Stroll through the city on foot when you get there, or hop on one of the architectural boat tours. These cruises are among the best ways to understand Chicago’s skyline, its bold building styles, and the stories behind its architectural evolution.

5. Navy Pier

A bit further, but still very accessible, is Navy Pier, a hub of dining, entertainment, city views, and fun rides (including the Centennial Wheel). It’s a 45 minute walk or 28 minute transit ride, but maybe the most efficient way to get there and see the city along the way is to hop on an e-bike to cut down your travel time to about 15 minutes.

Note: The Museum Campus attractions are about a 40-minute walk from the Midland, so plan lunch stops on the way, take transit, or rent a bike to get there more easily.

6. Shedd Aquarium

Nestled along the lakefront on Chicago’s Museum Campus, the John G. Shedd Aquarium is one of the world’s great aquatic institutions. It houses more than 1,500 species across freshwater and marine ecosystems: everything from beluga whales, stingrays, and reef sharks, to sea otters, tropical fish, cephalopods, and more.

7. Field Museum

If you love natural history, ancient civilizations, and giant dinosaurs, The Field Museum of Natural History is for you. Located on the Museum Campus (just steps from the Shedd), the Field Museum is dedicated to exploring Earth’s past, its living systems, and humanity’s cultural heritage. Exhibits include towering dinosaur skeletons (like Sue the T. rex), Ice Age mammals, ancient Egyptian displays, global biodiversity, and interactive science galleries.

8. Adler Planetarium

A third attraction on the Museum Campus, Adler Planetarium will take you from the earth to the stars. Founded in 1930, Adler was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. It offers a mix of immersive dome theater shows, interactive exhibits, and a public observatory.

9. The Magnificent Mile

Chicago’s premier shopping and commercial avenue is also nearby, about a 25-minute walk, and there you’ll find shopping, restaurants, and big-city energy.

10. Hidden and offbeat gems

If you’re up for exploring a little off the beaten path, Chicago has plenty of weird and wonderful spots like those featured in Atlas Obscura’s guide to Chicago. Wander Wicker Park, Logan Square, Hyde Park, or any of the other neighborhoods, or check out the smaller museums, like the Medieval Torture Museum or the Museum of Illusions.

What to do in your free time

• Bring your laptop, settle into a café on the Loop or near the river, and get work done while soaking in the views.
  
• After a day of panels, stroll over to the Skydeck, cross over to Millennium Park, or wind down along the river.
  
• The theater is alive in this district; Chicago is famous for its blues, jazz, and live music, so schedule an evening to catch a show.
  
• Hunt down Chicago classics like deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, or try local steakhouses.
  
• If you extend your trip, you’ll have time to head to the Museum Campus, or even cross to the other end of the city to catch a baseball game at Wrigley Field.
  

Register now for ClueCon 2026

Join our community of passionate devs, learn from leaders in telecom, VoIP, open source, AI, and push the boundaries of real-time systems by joining us at ClueCon!

Early bird registration is available now, so register ASAP to get the best deal on tickets. And remember that staying in our room block at the Midland Hotel gets you even more discounts! You can also keep in touch with the team on Discord.