Welcome to Chicago and ACEP26!

There is something special about opening morning at ACEP’s annual Scientific Assembly. The coffee lines are a little longer, everyone is scanning badges, and before long, you are reconnecting with colleagues from across the country.

For many of us, Monday (Oct. 5, 2026) will not really feel like the first day. The ACEP Council meeting takes place during the two days before Scientific Assembly, and many attendees will arrive at the Opening General Session after long days debating and voting on resolutions that help shape the future of emergency medicine. It is where much of the real work of our specialty happens, and one of my favorite parts of the annual meeting.

Scientific Assembly brings a different kind of energy. It is a chance to learn, explore the Exhibit Hall, and catch up with colleagues and residency friends. Residents and medical students will also find a full schedule of Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA) programming, including the EMRA Welcome Party, Residency Fair, career opportunities, and networking.

The Opening General Session is one you will not want to miss. Along with incoming ACEP President Ryan Stanton’s address, attendees will hear from emergency physician and NASA astronaut Dr. Anil Menon in a live video call from the International Space Station.

Monday evening might already be booked. Some attendees will gather with former residency programs, and others will head to EMRA events or the Wine & Wander welcome party. Those reunions are part of what makes ACEP special, so I would not skip them. In addition, Residency Reunion for selected programs is happening on Tuesday evening (Oct. 6, 2026).

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But if you still have a free afternoon or evening, make time for Chicago’s architecture river cruise. Several companies offer excellent tours, but many locals would recommend the Chicago Architectural Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady. Led by trained docents, it brings the city’s architecture, history, and engineering together in one unforgettable experience. If you have time for only one classic Chicago attraction, this would be my choice. Reserve tickets in advance.

Day Two: Looking Forward

By Tuesday, you’ve probably settled into the rhythm of Scientific Assembly. Grab a coffee—Intelligentsia, or Goddess and the Baker, are both good choices near many downtown hotels—and head to McCormick Place. If you only made a quick pass through the Exhibit Hall on Monday, set aside more time today. It is nearly impossible to see everything during just one visit.

If you are looking for me in a lecture hall, I will be at Dr. Deb Houry’s Colin C. Rorrie, Jr., Lecture, Leadership at the Crossroads of Evidence and Public Trust. Emergency physicians are often the first to see what happens when public health systems are strained. Dr. Houry’s perspective on leadership, evidence, public trust, and the evolving role of emergency medicine could not be more timely.

At lunch, try a Chicago classic. Whether you choose Al’s Beef or Mr. Beef—yes, the one from Hulu TV series, “The Bear”—an Italian beef sandwich is a must. Another day, stop by The Wieners Circle for a Chicago-style hot dog. Just do not ask for ketchup!

After the afternoon sessions, head to the West Loop for dinner. Girl & the Goat, Monteverde, Rose Mary, Lyra, and Aba are all excellent choices, but reservations are essential.

For evening entertainment, catch an improv show at The Second City, listen to jazz at the Green Mill, or see a Broadway production downtown. There is no shortage of things to do after the conference day ends.

Day Three: Take a Breath

Conferences are energizing, but they can also be exhausting. If the weather cooperates, start your morning with a walk along the Lake Michigan waterfront. Sometimes an hour outside is exactly what you need before another day of learning.

Back into the fresh air again, first-time visitors should see Millennium Park, take an obligatory photo at The Bean, and walk through the beautiful Chicago Cultural Center. If museums are more your thing, spend a few hours at the Art Institute of Chicago. Yes, you can follow Ferris Bueller’s path through the museum. Returning visitors might consider the new Obama Presidential Center. Timed entry tickets often sell out in advance, but there is a lot you can do at the Center without tickets.

Dinner is the best excuse to explore one of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Chinatown, Pilsen, Andersonville, and Lincoln Square each have their own personality and excellent restaurants. The best meal of your trip could be the one you weren’t planning to find.

Day Four: One Last Stop

ACEP26 will go by fast. Before heading home, I plan to attend Dr. James Ahn’s session on delivering a great presentation—something every emergency physician can benefit from, wherever they are in their career. I will also be attending Beyond the Bullet: Unpacking the Impact of Gun Violence on the Practice of Emergency Medicine, with Dr. Michael McGee. As chair of ACEP’s Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee, this session is especially meaningful to me. Firearm injury affects emergency departments across the country every day, and I look forward to hearing how our specialty continues to lead in prevention, patient care, and advocacy.

If your flight’s departure time allows, make one last stop. The International Museum of Surgical Science is a lesser-known museum that I highly recommend to physician colleagues. For something quieter, walk through Lincoln Park and around North Pond, visit the Butterfly Haven at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, or take one last stroll along the lake or river.

I hope ACEP26 leaves you with new ideas, new friends, a new favorite restaurant, and perhaps, a new appreciation for Chicago.

Dr. Akbarnia is an emergency physician who has practiced in the Chicago area for nearly 20 years. She serves on the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians Board of Directors and as an ACEP Councilor. She has spent years exploring Chicago with her husband and two children, discovering many of the places that she now recommends to visiting friends and colleagues.