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333 Wacker Drive

This 1983 office tower is one of the modern masterpieces of Chicago's skyline. Designed by New York architect Kohn Pederson Fox, it's an impressive example of a building designed on an irregular site: one side of the building faces the square grid streets of the Loop, the other side looks out over the curving Chicago River. Go for a stroll down Wacker Drive to see why Chicago is considered the city of architects. More »

35 East Wacker Drive

This 40-story building, completed in 1927, was the tallest outside of New York City when it was built. It's a good example of Chicago's architecture in the early 20th century that exploded with the use of steel-frame structure and terra cotta design. The building stands in stark contrast to the modern, glass skyscrapers that surround it, and gives a perspective of the development in Chicago's architectural movement. More »

A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

Located in the historic Pullman district of Chicago, this gallery is a tribute to union organizer and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph and Pullman Rail Car Company porters, all of whom were black. In 1925, Randolph formed the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African-American union in the country, and though it took some years, was able to collectively bargain for higher wages, overtime pay, and shorter hours. The museum is a historical collection on this era of the struggle for civil rights, and Randolph's place in this history is pivotal. It marries the industrial revolution, the rise of the working class, and the social drama that existed at this time in America and does so in a reflective way. Stop by for your own tour of this history and learn a little bit about this era in history. More »

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

Both historic and forward-looking, the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is one of the best sites in the world to learn about the cosmos. It is historic in that it is the first planetarium built in the Western hemisphere, opening in 1930, but forward-looking in how it presents the universe, using modern technology to take us where we cannot go, only imagine. Shows and exhibitions teach about cosmic events and astrophysical principles that have been advanced greatly in the last century. There's really something here for everyone, whatever your age or education-level. Also of note is the Adler building's perfectly aligned location for trips to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, just adjacent. More »

Aldo Castillo

With a focus on social activism and and cross-cultural education, the Aldo Castillo Gallery is a popular place for both up-and-coming and established visionary artists to present their work. It was founded in 1993 by Aldo Castillo, a Nicaraguan human rights activist with a passion for art. At the gallery, you can see art in various mediums (sculpture, painting, installation, photography, etc.) from a diverse population of international artists. In addition to his famous and respected gallery, Aldo has also started the the Aldo Castillo Arts Foundation to support art education, exposure, and cultural communication with projects such as the Abstract Mind Mural and exhibitions at the Chicago Public Library. More »

Alliance Francaise de Chicago

Don't have enough money to travel to Paris? The Alliance Francaise de Chicago is a cultural studies center focused around French language, art, and culture. At the center you can learn to speak French in one of the classes targeted to different levels. Indulge your newfound linguistic skills in the library complete with French books, periodicals, and videos. Afterwards stroll through the art gallery featuring French artists and photographers. The French connoisseur will feel at home at this unique center catering entirely to French needs, and even keeps up with current events through seminars, discussion groups, and reading groups. More »

Allstate Arena

Allstate Arena is a 18,500 seat venue featuring sports and entertainment. If your up for an exciting Chicago Wolves minor league hockey game or the dynamic Chicago Rush indoor football team, then head down to the Allstate Arena where you'll find over 150 events year round. The Allstate Arena is also home to the college team, the Depaul Blue Demons, and is also known to host events by groups such as the Cure, Boston Pops, and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Chances are if you are planning on going to see a sporting event or musical concert, it will be here at the Allstate Arena, one of Chicago's premiere event centers. More »

American Girl Place

Girls (and adults) who love American Girl dolls will be amazed at this attraction. Inside, there is a doll hair salon, a theater (complete with live musical revues featuring the famous doll personalities), a store that sells any American Girl accessory you could dream of, and a cafe with both a human menu and a specialized doll menu. This is the place to come if you're missing anything American Girl from your collection, from doll pets to books to the dolls themselves--the store here has it all...and more. More »

Ann Nathan Gallery

This upscale gallery in the River North area of Chicago features an international roster of contemporary figurative and realist artists. Shows at the airy street level gallery are constantly in flux. Cityscape paintings by Enrique Santana--famous for capturing Chicago's architecture and waterways--and noted Midwest landscape painters, James Winn, Ahzad Bogosian, and Deborah Ebbers have shared this space with other superb artists. There are oversize portraits on Mylar, heroic and surreal paintings on canvas', and thematically charged and seductive oil paintings that capture both feminine power and subjugation on display. A wide range of artist-made furniture, sculptures, and other objects is also on display here--including Shaker furniture, benches, chairs, and sculptures. More »

Armitage Avenue

Armitage Avenue is one of the city's best shopping streets, especially if you're looking for small, quirky shops that stock products you won't find at your local department store. Stroll from Halsted Street (on the east end) to Racine (on the west end) and you'll get an idea of the wide selection: edgy women's clothes, cute kids' boutiques, and beautiful home-decor stores. More »

Art Institute of Chicago

This world-class museum houses a wonderfully varied collection of art, from ancient Egyptian sculptures to contemporary installations. It is well known for its notable collections of Impressionist and American art, although there is also much, much more here to see. Highlights of the collection are Grant Wood's American Gothic and Georges Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The institute is focused on making lifelong learners out of its visitors, and presents engaging workshops, tours, and resources to make a visit to the museum a fun (never boring) experience. More »

Auditorium Theatre

This is one of the best known buildings designed by Chicago School heavies Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, opening in 1889 to rave reviews. The imposing exterior is defined by its massive load-bearing walls, which are so heavy that some parts of the foundation have been warped by the weight. It is of no concern to the beautiful Auditorium Theatre, the 4,300 seat hall that has played host to opera and rock and roll alike. After World War II, the building fell into disrepair and it was not until much later in life, now part of Roosevelt University, that the building was restored to its former glory. You can tour the building and see the opulent interior, but it's best to see a play or concert here. The acoustics were designed by Sullivan himself, and it shows. Another architectural monument in a city with so many, the Auditorium still stands tall. More »

Batcolumn

This startling, very tall baseball bat sculpture is located in an obscure place--in front of the Harold Washington Social Security Center (no, not at a baseball park, like one would expect). Artist Claes Oldenburg delivered the 96-foot monstrosity to the city in 1977, and although controversial, the bat has stayed on display since then. It's steel construction has stood the test of time, not to mention the dismal weather of the windy city, as one of Claes' masterpieces. Some of his other unique pieces of art include a 25-foot tall lipstick on the campus of Yale University, and a 45-foot tall clothespin in the Center Square Plaza in Philadelphia. More »

Billy Goat Tavern

This below ground-level tavern was made famous from the classic Saturday Night Live skit featuring John Belushi yelling "cheezeborger! cheezeborger! cheezeborger! No fries...cheeps! No Pepsi...Coke!" It has been a Chicago institution since 1934, when Greek immigrant William Sianis bought the Lincoln Tavern. The story behind the tavern's name goes like this: William Sianis became known as "billy goat" when a goat came wandering into the tavern after falling off a passing truck. After that incident, Sainis decided to adopt the animal, shave a goatee on his face, and change the name of his restaurant to the "Billy Goat Tavern". More »

Billy Hork Galleries

If you're in the market for a new painting or framed print, the Billy Hork Galleries are the place to go. They have an extensive collection ready for anywhere in your home or office, for many different kinds of rooms and budgets. This art depot is sure to have something that you fancy! More »

Biograph Theatre

Well known as the place where the infamous bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by the FBI in 1934, this theater has been a favorite Chicago landmark since 1914. It was built in a classical style, complete with a free-standing ticket booth, recessed entrance, and canopy marquee. After a 90-year stint as a movie theater, the Biograph was converted into a live performance venue, and has been hosting plays and musicals since 2006. Be forewarned though--because of its storied past, popular rumors say that Dillinger's ghost still haunts the theater. More »

Brookfield Zoo

This popular zoo's mission is conservation and research about animal care. The zoo has paved the way in cutting edge activities, including some of the first indoor multi-species exhibits, gorilla brain surgery, and zoo nutrition residencies. They have even opened two new research facilities to support their studies--the Center for Conservation Leadership and the Center for the Science of Animal Wellbeing. The zoo features over 2,000 animals and is world-famous for its pioneering efforts in alternative cage methods, such as using moats instead of bars. They also were the first zoo in the United States to showcase a Giant Panda exhibit. Today, there are great features to check out here, such as the Tropic World exhibit that simulates a humid, tropical environment, and the Play Zoo, where kids and adults can come in closer contact with animals. More »

Buckingham Fountain

This beautiful public piece of art sits in Grant Park and attracts crowds during the day and at night, as it runs until 11pm. Every hour, the fountain puts on a beautiful water show, featuring streams of water that shoot 150 feet into the air. At night (starting at dusk), the water display is accompanied by beautiful light and music shows for an entertaining effect. The fountain was constructed and given to the people of Chicago in 1927 by philanthropist Kate Buckingham to remember her brother, Clarence. She even endowed the city with a fund to ensure its upkeep and repair, so taxpayers wouldn't have to foot the bill. The fountain has become one of the city's most beloved attractions, and the four sea horses that adorn it can be recognized across the country. More »

Carbide and Carbon Building

The broodingly dark building that is the Carbide and Carbon building is a striking gesture of art deco and unique decorative techniques. The dark building is a black-polished granite, while the tower is covered with a dark green terra-cotta facade with gold leaf highlights. The building was designed by the Chicago-born Burnham sons and was completed in 1929. It was designed to look like a champagne bottle complete with gold foil and is a striking building from near and afar especially when the sun glimmers off its gold crown. Come pop the cork off this interesting and unique architectural marvel and enjoy a break from the traditional skyscraper. More »

Carl Hammer Gallery

This gallery features contemporary American and international art, in addition to some selected historical pieces. The tie that binds all of the artists? They're all self-taught, or "outsider artists". They all share an enthusiasm for expressing their thoughts on what makes us American (or human) and highlighting both the triumphs and the troublesome issues in life. Carl Hammer is an ex-schoolteacher who decided to open a gallery in 1979; he has become known as one of the pioneers in "outsider art" and is now one of Chicago's best-loved art dealers. More »

Carson Pirie Scott

This iconic Chicago building is worth checking out for its early modern design. It was constructed by Louis Sullivan in the early 1900s and includes unique (for its time) architectural features such as the elaborate cast iron metalwork above the tower and the innovative steel structure that allowed for more windows and more light in the building. It was, up until 2007, used as retail space, but is currently undergoing redevelopment. More »

Charnley-Persky House

Anyone interested in architecture and design should flock to the Charnley-Persky House, on the corner of North Astor and Schiller. You may notice the symmetrical austerity of the exterior -- this unassuming structure was the work of architect Louis Sullivan and his 25-year-old junior draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. It dates to 1891 and was designed for lumber businessman James Charnley. The interior makes use of a large skylight to light the tiered layers of the house itself, and if you're familiar with Sullivan and Wright, you will recognize many elements of their architectural styles. It's now a National Historic Landmark, so if architecture is your fancy, don't miss this beautiful house. More »

Chicago Architecture Foundation

The Chicago Architecture foundation is the best resource for learning about Chicago's history through its buildings. Originally started in 1966, the group was started in effort to save the historic Glessner building. The organization grew and now offers a wide variety of tours and exhibits on the skyscrapers of the Chicago skyline. Take a boat tour up the Chicago river to see some of the highlights such as the Tribune Tower. Or trade the water for a walk around the city in the Loop Walking Tour. The tours cover over fifty historic sites and are a relaxing way to see the city. The exhibit at the main locations on Michigan Avenue can cover everything you may have missed and also gives visitors a chance to shop in the store which is filled with tons of fun gifts and things to bring home. More »

Chicago Botanic Garden

To get to the 'roots' of the Chicago Botanical Garden, you have to go back to the inception of the Chicago Horticultural Society back in 1890. The society sought out to promote the idea of "a city in a garden." After a fledging beginning, the society eventually took ground and was granted 300 acres of land in 1963. Eventually in 1972, the garden was finally open to the public where today it boasts 23 display gardens and three native habitats over 385 acres. Take a walk over the nine islands surrounded by lakes and lagoons with rolling hills and lush vegetation of one of the country's most visited public gardens. The Chicago Botanic Garden rivals some of the older European gardens of Britain and France, and is a must for garden lovers, or those who generally love nature. Spend the day wandering around the grounds and be sure to pack a picnic or eat at the restaurant or cafe located onsite. More »

Chicago Children's Museum

This popular museum is a favorite of both local and visiting families. It's mission is to provide an educational facility where play and learning meet. There are many areas of the museum to explore; kids will love the fantasy creations in the BIG Backyard exhibit and relish exploring a recreated a famous dinosaur dig site in the Sahara. The idea for a museum dedicated to kids started in 1982 when Chicago public schools underwent major programming cutbacks and The Junior League of Chicago decided to set up the museum in two halls of the Chicago Public Library. Now housed in its third location at the Navy Pier, the museum is considering another move to Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, which is garnering much criticism from locals. More »

Chicago Cultural Center

A place where arts and culture collide, the Chicago Cultural Center acts as an official "reception venue" to the city. One of Chicago's most popular attractions, the center holds a remarkable number of art showcases throughout the year and feature an eclectic range of performances and displays of all styles and genres. The building was originally built in 1897 for the intended use as the city's main library. The building itself incorporates architectural styles spanning Greek, Italian Renaissance, and Roman designs. Visitors are encouraged to check out the free exhibitions, programs and lectures held here, making it truly the mecca of cultural events for the city. More »

Chicago History Museum

Today's Chicago is a Second City, and the Chicago History Museum is no different. The original collection of the Chicago Historical Society, as it was then called, was destroyed as almost everything else in the city during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The collection has been rebuilt to 22 million artifacts, making it the singular historical depot on the history of Chicago tracking the city's demography, shifting economy, politics, and architectural movements. It's an important research institution, but is also a hands-on museum of history with something for everyone. More »

Chicago Sailing Club

This sailing club, based at Belmont Harbor in Lincoln Park, rents sailboats by the hour; sail yourself or hire a skipper to take you out. Whether you want to learn to sail or just hone your skills, the Chicago Sailing Club offers a wide variety of programs, with varying skill levels. Experience sailing, yachting, and mingling with others who love to sail. More »

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

From its first modest production on a pub roof in Lincoln Park, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater has blossomed into a prolific and popular theater institution. The $24 million, multi-venue facility on Navy Pier serves as proof that the company is leading the way in the city's cultural renaissance. With its Shakespeare Repertory Company acting troupe, the theater offers a savory schedule of theatrical performances ranging from the traditional classics from the Bard to more recent period productions. The seven-story structure offers a courtyard-style theater, panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. More »

Chicago Theatre

The grandeur of The Chicago Theatre often leaves its visitors breathless. The elegant lobby, majestic staircase and beautiful auditorium, complete with murals above the stage and on the ceiling, are components of an amazing building called "the Wonder Theatre of the World" when it opened on October 26, 1921. Today, The Legendary Chicago Theatre continues to be an active and vibrant venue offering a variety of entertainment, including stage events, concerts, dance, comedy and special events. With something for everyone to enjoy, The Chicago Theatre is truly Chicago's Theater. More »

Chicago Vietnam Veterans Fountain

Located in Wabash Plaza, this stunning fountain serves as a remembrance of Illinois servicemen who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. The memorial features various parts, including a slab of black granite with names of the deceased engraved on it, a timeline that pinpoints significant battles, a POW-MIA plaque, and the fountain with 14 water jets that gradually rise in height (to signify the varying levels of U.S. troop involvement in the war). It was dedicated in 2005 by the mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley. More »

Chinatown

This bustling area of Chicago is home to various shops, restaurants, medicine stores, and Chinese residents. Although its origins are fuzzy, it is believed that this southern area of the city began to develop around the early 1900s, when many Chinese moved to the southern part of the city to avoid high rents and the anti-China sentiments of the day. They were able to obtain 10-year leases on many of the buildings in the region and "Chinatown" began to flourish. In 1960, a bigger wave of immigrants moved to Chicago, forcing the area to continue its expansion. Today, visitors can peruse shops such as Ching Wei Oriental Furniture or Woks 'N' Things, then head to one of the many delicious restaurants lining the streets for a bite of real Chinese food. More »

City Gallery

Located in the historic Chicago Water Tower, which along with a nearby pumping station was one of the only structures in the area to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, this one-room photography museum now shows exhibits by Chicago photographers. The building itself is a piece of Chicago history, a unique Gothic-influenced limestone structure, while the interior of the gallery is a sleek, modern exhibition space. The gallery's focus on exhibitions with Chicago themes makes it a great place to gain insight into the city's life and spirit. More »

CME Group

Commodities and futures traders move the markets here at the former Chicago Board of Trade, which merged with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to become a single entity, the CME Group. The CBOT building is a 1930 art deco beaut that heads off LaSalle St--one of its most distinguishing features is the 3-story statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain, which sits atop the building proudly. Security concerns have greatly reduced the latitude you'll have to visit and observe the frenetic trading floor, but the grand lobby and Visitor's Center is worth a trip in and of itself. It's a beautiful building with intricate details that are sure to keep your finger on the camera trigger. More »

Crilly Court and Olsen-Hansen Row Houses

"Quaint" would be an understatement to describe the charming Old Town neighborhood of Crilly Court. In 1885, real estate developer Daniel F. Crilly bought a city block on what is now the North Side and started building the turrets, bay windows, and irregular rooflines that characterize the Queen Anne-style homes. For an even richer dose of these distinctive architectural hybrids, the Olsen-Hansen Row Houses - on West Eugenie Street just south of Crilly Court - boast Victorian porches and curlicue cutouts galore. More »

David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art

Located in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago's campus, this museum is small, but with a surprisingly impressive collection of some 10,000 works and artifacts. You'll find sculptures by Rodin and Matisse, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed furnishings, Chinese antiquities, Rothko, Degas, and on and on. It's a nice rejoinder to some of the city's major attractions, and the cafe is no different. A very nice little stop on any itinerary. More »

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, formerly the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, is close to downtown and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The multi-functional facility provides a total of 840,000 square-feet of conventional space with booths and tables. Also situated in the complex is a ballroom, which could ideally be used to host banquets or other functions. The center was named after the former mayor of Rosemont, and nearby you'll also find the Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels. Given the center's supreme location and adaptability, there is possibly no better place to hold your corporate event or function. More »

Douglas Dawson Gallery

This high class West Loop gallery specializes in historic and ancient pieces of ethnographic art from around the world. Dawson's gallery is sure to bring you in touch with some stunning pieces of art, especially if you fancy ethnic works. Whether you just enjoy coming to see beautiful works or whether you're in the market for a piece from the gallery (in which case you shouldn't forget your wallet!), this is a great stop. It's a great opportunity to see the expressiveness laden in all human cultures, whatever their geography and history. More »

DuSable Museum of African American History

Housed in a former park administration building in Washington Park, the DuSable Museum of African American History is named after Haitian fur trapper Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable, the first permanent settler in Chicago. The museum is groundbreaking in its own right, one of the first museums of its kind, dedicated to the history of African Americans. Today, the collection is wide and varied, telling of the sacrifices African Americans have made throughout the history of this country, from the antebellum period to modern day. This somber history is evocative and emotional, sure to make you reflect upon the triumphs and tragedies faced by black Americans throughout history. The museum's frequently changing exhibitions are guaranteed to add to your understanding--no history buff should miss this place! It's appropriate for children of all ages and is a wonderful opportunity to teach them about a difficult, if fascinating part of American history. More »

Field Museum

One event of the mid-to-late 19th century stands above all the rest in its impact on the city of Chicago, and that is the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. But coming a close second is the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition, which introduced the world to things like the Ferris Wheel, and in resulted in Chicago landmarks like the Midway Plaisance, and, not coincidentally, the Field Museum. After all the biological and anthropological artifacts were brought to the Windy City for the 1893 fair, Chicago retail giant Marshall Field donated $1 million to establish a museum that could serve as a permanent home for all of these spectacular items. Thus, the "Field Museum" was born, and named. Today, it is one of the world's pre-eminent museums as well as an internationally significant research center in many different scientific disciplines. The museum brings the thunder to any trip, for people of any age and interest. The highlights include the world's largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton, Sue, named for the paleontologist who discovered her, Sue Hendrickson, while the permanent exhibitions include meditations on Egyptian history and culture, the Native American people of the Americas, and a 4 billion year trip through the evolution of life on Earth from the rise of the very first organism to present day. The temporary exhibits are characteristically wonderful, for their part. It's one of the world's very, very best museums and you would regret not coming, especially if you're in tow with children. More »

Fine Arts Building

This gorgeous art nouveau landmark was originally built in 1885 to house a Studebaker horse carriage factory and showroom, but took on another identity as a home for artists after a major renovation in 1898. The Fine Arts Building still has many of the piques from this era in its history, from the murals painting on one of the floors to the turn-of-the-century clocks. Artists of all kinds of creative fields have studios here, as well as galleries, design firms, shops, plus a restaurant and cafe -- all here at the Fine Arts Building. A marble-engraved motto sums up the ethos of this place, "All passes - art alone endures." Not to be missed. wherever your interests lie. More »

Fourth Presbyterian Church

This church has been a Chicago landmark since its construction in 1914. In 1975, it was declared a national one. Architect Ralph Adams Cram designed this gorgeous church in the Gothic Revival style. If you are strolling down Michigan Avenue, stop and admire this striking building of Bedford limestone and rich ornamentation. The church is located across the street from the bustling Hancock Center. Its restored courtyard is a quiet sanctuary from the stresses of city life. This landmark is also an active parish serving thousands of people, from all strata of society and all walks of life. More »

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

Frank Lloyd Wright owed much to his boss and mentor Louis Sullivan, who imparted many of the design ideas that we attribute to Wright's Prairie philosophy. He also owed the existence of this house in Oak Park, which Wright built in 1889 with a $5,000 loan from Sullivan. Wright was seemingly constantly renovating this home, improving it to include a studio in 1898. His signature skylights and use of natural lighting is prominent, and his broader design insights about making the space conform to the use of it are apparent throughout. It has been described as Wright's architectural laboratory within which he explored the concepts of his design philosophy that would make their mark throughout the 20th century. After raising 6 children here, Wright sold the house in 1925, and it fell into disrepair until the 1970s, when it was renovated back to its original form. It is a National Historic Landmark and is a fascinating peek into Frank Lloyd Wright's life and vision. More »

Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple

In 1905, when its building was destroyed in a fire, the Unitarian Church of Oak Park, Illinois sought out 38-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright to architect a new building. A member of the congregation and resident of Oak Park, it was Wright's first major public building project and his creation signified a dramatic departure from what religious architecture in particular was supposed to be. The cubist design used steel-reinforced concrete to reduce the price of construction, had no grand entryway, no street-level windows, no steeple to God, and had a preposterously low budget of just $40,000. But it was a major movement forward for Wright and his impact of 20th century architecture, as he redefined what a building project should be centered around. Indeed Wright's core (and most famous) insight, that "form follows function" is seen throughout Unity Temple, with the materials and design accommodating the needs of the congregation rather than working backwards from an obligation to grandeur for its own sake. It is a National Historic Landmark and still the site of its home Unitarian Universalist congregation. Absolutely worth a visit. More »

G.R. N'Namdi

This beautiful gallery specializes in showcasing contemporary art from around the world, with a specialization on African American art. George N'Namdi opened his first Detroit gallery in the 1980s and has had continued success since. Popular artists featured at the museum include: Frank Bowling, McArthur Binion, and Nanette Carter, and many others who got their start at N'Namdi's gallery. The gallery's clients include such prestigious institutions as the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Detroit Institute of the Arts, and various other fine art museums and galleries. More »

Garfield Park Conservatory

This huge conservatory complex comprises 4.5 acres (both indoor and outdoor) in 184-acre Garfield Park, on Chicago's west side. The history of the conservatory starts in the early 20th century, when the three west-side parks (Garfield, Humboldt, and Douglas) each had their own small conservatories; none of them were very functional and all eventually fell into disrepair. In 1905, Jens Jensen--Chicago's then West Side Park Commission's superintendent--decided to demolish the three failing conservatories and create one of the largest publicly-owned plant facilities (under one roof) in the world. The large glass-roofed building that stands today was constructed between 1906 and 1907 under the direction of Jensen and his team and serves as a beautiful Chicago landmark and beautiful educational facility for both locals and visitors. More »

Gene Siskel Film Center

Named for the late and beloved film critic, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago sets cinematic standards so high they challenge the city's skyline. In addition to presenting a spectrum of curated motion picture art, - including new American and foreign films, revivals of classics, retrospectives, and independent productions - the movie house hosts educational courses, lectures, and panel discussions. For movie buffs, this theater, located on North State Street between Randolph and Lake Streets, gets two thumbs up, way up. More »

Glessner House Museum

This National Historic Landmark house was constructed in 1887 under the direction of architect Henry Hobson Richardson and is the last of his houses still standing today. It was significant when it was constructed because it was uniquely different from the classic Victorian designs of the day; its original style even gave renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright (and others) inspiration for his own designs. In addition to the historic and magnificent exterior design of the house, there is a great collection of 19th and 20th century decorative arts and furniture on display inside. The museum also produces various workshops, lectures, and events throughout the year to educate and entertain visitors about the decorative arts and crafts of the past. More »

Gold Coast

In the early 1990s, this northern lakeside area of Chicago began a significant gentrification project. This prosperous neighborhood of multi-million-dollar historic homes began demolishing the nearby Cabrini Green Housing Project, and adding low- to mid-rise buildings to accommodate the demand of Chicago's young wealthy urbanites. The Gold Coast is the city's wealthiest neighborhood; made fashionable by Potter Palmer, who built his palatial home here in 1885, and Chicago's elite have been moving into this neighborhood ever since. More »

Goodman Theatre

Currently the oldest of Chicago's active non-profit organizations, the Goodman Theatre is a Chicago landmark for its contributions to Chicago theater. Established in 1925 in Chicago's Loop district, the theater is renowned for putting on productions from local, national, and international artists. The theater is named after Kenneth Sawyer Goodman, a non-commercial who died during an influenza outbreak in 1918. His parents donated the initial start-up $250,000 to the Art Institute of Chicago to build a theater memorializing their son. While the theater doesn't possess the best physical attributes and acoustics, the theater has more than made up for them with their outreach to youth programs and by embracing the cultivation of theater in downtown Chicago. More »

Graceland Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery was created in 1860 by prominent Chicago lawyer, Thomas Bryan, and has been a private cemetery ever since. Originally starting off with 80 acres, the cemetery was worked on by prominent landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland in 1861 to create peaceful park-like area for some of Chicago's upper-crust. Many of Chicago's prominent individuals and families are buried here including Chicago's first mayor, real estate entrepreneur William Ogden. The cemetery in itself is a work of art with many of the land markers and mausoleums being designed by artists and sculptors. For years Graceland was called the "Cemetery of Architects.” You won't imagine a more peaceful resting place through the green landscape, lakes, and sculptures. More »

Grant Park

This beloved green space was founded in 1835, when a few Chicago citizens decided to designate the area as a park to be protected forever from development. The park is modeled after the geometric designs of many French parks, with bridges connecting the various grassy sections. There are many notable buildings within Grant Park, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium; all are Chicago landmarks and world-class attractions. The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain functions as the park's centerpiece; it was constructed in 1927 by Clarence's sister, Kate, as a memorial to her late brother and offers visitors a 10-minute water show every hour from April to October. More »

Greektown

Chicago is known for its rich cultural neighborhoods scattered around the city, and one of the popular ones on the west side is Greektown. Not to be confused with a college fraternity block of houses, Greektown is essentially just a stretch between W Van Buren and W Monroe streets on Halsted where you'll find a majority of the Greek restaurants and bars. Greeks began immigrating to Chicago in the late nineteenth century where they established a successful niche of Greek food and culture. Today you can journey through the friendly bars and establishments, many that stay open late for gyros, falafel, or the potent Ouzo. Let you're ethnic taste-buds go wild with Greek food, fun, and cheer. More »

Habatat

Glass art is stunning, ethereal, and unique, and Habatat Gallery is a great place to see it in all its shining glory. It was founded to give glass artists a site to foster their craft with limitless creativity, and continues to display some of the finest glass works in the world. Habatat features amazing glass work from artists around the world, including such icons as Dale Chihuly and Klaus Moje. Stop by this beautiful gallery to find a piece to adorn your home or simply marvel at the gorgeous objects on display. More »

Hancock Observatory

A bird's-eye-view of anything is worth seeing, and the Chicago skyline especially so. At the Hancock Observatory at the John Hancock Center, you'll travel 94 floors and more than 1,000 feet as you leer over the breathtaking views of Chicago's skyscrapers, the Lake Michigan shore, and out across the distance past the suburbs, past even the state line. The open-air skywalk allows you to sense the gusty behavior that gives Chicago its nickname. The rest of the observation deck is populated by exhibitions explaining the history of Chicago, the views you see from each direction, and other information. No matter what your interests, you can't pass this opportunity up. More »

Harborside International Golf Center

For a nautical-themed adventure, head to Harborside International Golf Center where you'll find the two 18-hole golf courses, The Portside and The Starboard Side, both designed by Dick Nugent. Harborside isn't like a majority of other American courses that feature lush landscapes with trees. Instead, it follows a more British format laid out over long flat windswept fairways and no trees in sight. From the course you have remarkable views of the Chicago skyline as well as the Chicago port just minutes from downtown. Harborside has been compared to the Scottish course, Muirfield, which has been the sight of the British Open as recently as 2001. So put on those Bermuda shorts (they're required) and hit the dock for golf at Harborside. More »

Harold Washington Library

When the Harold Washington Library was built in the late 80s and opened in 1991, a major concern was how do you make a modern library facility fit into Chicago's classically-styled architecture that make the city so distinct? The result is the massive building that combines Beaux-Arts flair and modern sensibility. The huge building is home to Chicago's central public library, and is considered to be one of the largest public libraries in the world. The building is named after the former mayor Harold Washington, who was pivotal in the construction of the building. The 13 million collection is unsurpassed with its number of quality rare manuscripts, books, and art archives. The building is 10 levels and even contains a rooftop winter penthouse, accumulating in a total of 756,000 square-feet of usable space. Spend an entire day browsing in the cornerstone of the Chicago Public Library system. More »

Harpo Studio

This large studio complex is owned by famous talk show host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Her well-watched show is taped here regularly, along with other projects she produces intermittently throughout the year. The studios aren't open for public tours, but tickets to the show tapings can be reserved ahead of time (it's a good idea to try to reserve a ticket at least a month in advance, as they sell out very quickly). Even though tickets can be hard to get a hold of, many visitors still like to stop by the studio for a photo op in front of the Harpo sign. More »

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, tucked underground beneath Millennium Park, books an eclectic variety of dance, music, and theater performances from the Windy City. Head down on "Theater Thursdays" for discussions with the cast and artists and a cocktail reception. Ticket prices vary depending on the performance. More »

Hemingway Museum and Birthplace House

It would be difficult to trace a straight line from Ernest Hemingway's birthplace and old stomping grounds in Oak Park to the front lines of World War I and II, but you might get an idea about how the writer came to have such wanderlust when you visit his birth home and the museum dedicated to Hemingway, just down the street. A 3-story Queen Anne Victorian with a fantastic porch, his birth home has been restored to reflect the early-20th century period in which he came of age. Serious Hemingway fans may get some peculiar satisfaction upon seeing the room in which he was born on July 21, 1899. At the museum, Hemingway's life is explored in detail with creative exhibitions that showcase the complicated man's unusual life and times. Highly recommended for fans in particular, but for all who like to peel back the shroud a bit for a peek at the unvarnished grain. More »

Henry B. Clarke House

Built in 1836, the Henry B. Clarke house claims the title of Chicago's oldest home. When it survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Greek Revival-style house sat on an old Indian path that is now South Michigan Avenue. Now after several moves, it sits at 1827 South Indiana Avenue. Its four Roman Doric columns and white clapboard siding were painstakingly renovated to their original appearance. The house is now a museum that reveals much about early Chicago domestic life. More »

Holy Name Cathedral

This Gothic-style cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and the parish of the Archbishop of Chicago. It was built in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, opening in 1875. As with the Fire, the church's history tracks with the city's, as the waves of Catholic immigrants populated the city, the church grew to serve this community. Holy Name has seen Pope John Paul II deliver mass in 1979, and it remains a vibrant congregation to this day. More »

Hull House

After the growing popularity of settlement houses in the United Kingdom, The Hull House was founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr to be a pathway for Chicago's poor to come learn and engage with the local community. The main goal of Hull House was to provide educational opportunities where there were none in the poor immigrant district in which it was located. Hull House was vitally important with the assimilation of immigrant populations, as well as the promotion and protection of their rights. Today you can check out the museum housed at the house and operated by the University of Illinois. For the superstitious folk out there, come explore the haunted stories of the site More »

Hyde Park

Home to one of the world's finest institutions, the University of Chicago, Hyde Park is a neighborhood south of the Loop that resonates in the high ideals of education that the university brings to the neighborhood. The park was founded in in the 1850s by Paul Cornell and originally was managed as a separate township from the greater city limits. The neighborhood takes up approximately 300 acres and was intended to attract many of Chicago's wealthy businessmen. The neighborhood experienced an economic decline triggered by World War I, but has bounced back somewhat. Hyde Park is generally considered one of the most racially diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, and also was at one point the home of Barack Obama and Muhammad Ali. More »

Ida B Wells-Barnett House

Long before Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat, civil rights activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett refused to give up her seat in a segregated train car. This action sparked the schoolteacher's transition to a life of politically-charged journalism and impassioned activism. See the black suffragette's Chicago residence, a late-19th-century stone home - with a distinctive pressed metal corner turret - at 3624 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Marvel at the Romanesque Revival charm outside and at the humanitarian beauty that once lived inside. More »

International Museum of Surgical Science

This unique museum is housed in a large mansion overlooking Lake Michigan. It was founded in the 1950s with the vision of Dr. Max Thorek and the donations of items from facilities around the country that belonged to the International College of Surgeons. The museum opened to the public in 1954 and has been a hit ever since. The exhibits were originally arranged by country, with the idea of tracing that country's contribution to modern surgery, but today the four floors are laid out differently. Now they are split into historical themes and surgical disciplines, with concentration areas such as radiology, orthopedics, heart surgery, and others. One of the more interesting exhibits in the museum is Anatomy in the Gallery, which features contemporary artists' works relating to medical themes, with titles such as Graft and Through the Skin. More »

Intuit: the Center For Intuitive & Outsider Art

Intuit is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1991. Its mission is to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of intuitive and outsider art through a program of education and exhibition. Toward this end, Intuit strives to discover, document, maintain, preserve, exhibit, and collect examples of intuitive and outsider art; and to operate a permanent facility in which to pursue such activities. Intuit defines "intuitive and outsider art" as work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world and who seem instead motivated by their unique personal visions. This includes what is known as art brut, non-traditional folk art, self-taught art, and visionary art. More »

Jackson Park

This 600-acre park was constructed in the late 19th century by renowned designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (architects of New York City's Central Park). It was the site of the 1893 Columbian Exposition and the new design and beautiful grounds helped make the fair a monumental success; after the crowds subsided and the fair ended six months after opening, the area was converted back into parkland. Today, it is the third largest park in the city (a prestigious title since there are over 500 parks in Chicago) and houses a nice range of amenities, from game fields to beaches to a beautiful Japanese Garden. There's even a nice public 18-hole golf course in the park that's a popular place for locals to practice their drives on nice sunny days. More »

Jackson Park Golf Club

Owned by the Chicago Parks District and managed by Kemper Golf Management, this 18-hole course is considered one of the best golf values in the city. It comprises 5,463 yards, has a driving range, putting green, snack bar, clubhouse, and also offers PGA instruction. The course requires almost every club in the bag, as it features various water and sand hazards, par 5 holes that stretch to 560 yards, and 200-yard par 3 holes. Although there are no gas or electric cart rentals available, golfers can rent a pull cart and enjoy a nice stroll through the immense park-like course. More »

James R Thompson Center

It's all glass. Seventeen stories of tri-colored windows, elevators and escalators with exposed machinery, and a striking cylindrical skylight grace this state government building on Randolph Street. All that transparency was meant, by architect Helmut Jahn, to symbolize the ideal absence of barriers between a democratic government and its people. Named for a former Illinois governor, the structure has been called "the Pantheon of Chicago," its round dome setting it apart from the boxes and right angles of other downtown buildings. The center houses shops, restaurants, and the work of Illinois artists. Bit of trivia: In summer, the place is cooled by 400-ton ice cubes in a sub-basement. More »

John G. Shedd Aquarium & Oceanarium

Let's face it, traveling from the Caribbean to the Pacific Northwest and everywhere in between takes a lot of time and a lot of money, but at the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium you'll find yourself below the waves face to face with some of the most fascinating creatures of the deep. Head over to the Wild Reef 400,000 gallon water exhibit featuring sharks, coral reefs, eels, and even Ginsu, the 13-foot green sawfish. Just in the other part of the aquarium is the Oceanarium, a 3 million gallon saltwater tank where playful dolphins and otters live, and preform shows for the public. Check out the waddling penguins in their tank and even see a white beluga whale. The aquarium has much more to see than just sea mammals and fish, and even has exhibits with Amazon anacondas and other reptiles and amphibians. Spend hours exploring the depths and when you're ready to come up for air, there's the Bubble Net restaurant and gift shop to check out. More »

John Hancock Center

"Big John," as Chicagoans call it, rises 100 stories above Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile. A ride on its elevator - the fastest in North America - leads to its 94th-floor open air skywalk and observatory. On a clear day here, you can see for 80 miles, almost all the way across Lake Michigan! Completed in 1970 by the Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill firm, the famous skyscraper's simple geometry and sleek glass denote its "less is more" International-style architecture. In the lower levels of this obelisk tower is a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. More »

Kathy Osterman Beach

This nice stretch of sand is locally known as a great family beach and one that's popular with the city's gay community. The beach used to be called Hollywood Beach (as it's located near W Hollywood Ave), but was re-named to honor the late Director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events. It's tucked away behind high-rise buildings and isn't easily accessible by car, so sometimes (if you're lucky), there won't be too many people crowding the shores. Most of the time though, you'll find lots of people here playing volleyball, swimming (if it's not too cold of course), playing frisbee, and generally enjoying the warm weather. More »

Kavi Gupta Gallery

This gallery specializes in both national and international contemporary art. The art isn't limited to paintings displayed on the clean, white walls (although there are plenty of those throughout the gallery), but also features multimedia art such as video, photography, sculpture, and performance pieces. Mr. Gupta opened the gallery in 1998 out of his passion for art and since then, has been supporting artists and helping them get their work into the public eye. The gallery's collections travel the world to participate in international art shows, but Mr. Gupta also puts on great exhibitions for art lovers in his hometown of Chicago. More »

Kenwood

Architectural giants such as Frank Lloyd Wright and George W. Maher have anointed this neighborhood, just north of Hyde Park, with some stately mansions. Established in 1856, Kenwood underwent a massive urban renewal project in the early 1950s that led to the geographically-inspired Prairie School-style homes seen there today. From the gargantuan Julius Rosenwald House on South Ellis to the elegant Ernest J. Magerstadt House on Greenwood, the area has some truly gorgeous homes. More »

Kids on the Fly, Chicago Children's Museum at O'Hare

Flying with kids can be overwhelming for parents already unnerved by the long lines and security hassles, but if you need to take a time-out from that, the Children Children's Museum in Terminal 2 of O'Hare International Airport is just the ticket. It's a surprisingly educational and fun exhibit aimed at bringing kids a better understanding of all the facets of aviation, but adults will recognize it as a blessed distraction. If you've got some time to kill and a couple little ones who need a break themselves, stop by here for a bit. More »

Kiva

With its dizzying skysrapers, almost three million residents, and countless tourists, Chicago can be an overwhelming place. Tucked inside the Water Tower Place high-rise mall is a place of calm: Kiva, of the Premier Collection of Spas, Salons, and Boutiques. From skincare and haircare to massages and manicures, the outfit promises refuge from the hustle and bustle of the Windy City. "Once you step inside," claims the company Web site, "you will know a new level of nurturing." More »

Kohl Children's Museum

Let your child's imagination run rampant at the Kohl Children's Museum, located just north of Evanston in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The museum is an educational and fun way to engage their minds through interactive displays and exhibits, while providing a diverse multi-cultural environment for them to grow in. The museum is aimed toward children ages birth to 8. The interactive exhibits focus on subjects of math, science and social studies while exploring fun new activities. Head over to the popular Great Kohl Sailing Ship, where they can embark on a sea voyage catching fish and lowering or raising sails. The museum goes way beyond a typical museum in providing activities and workshops, like art programs, and the Early Childhood Connections (ECC), which strive to expand the children's create thinking and application of those ideas. More »

Lakeview and Wrigleyville

Lakeview is a lively neighborhood just north of Lincoln Park, a bustling place visited by young professionals who populate the numerous nightclubs until late into the night. A diverse neighborhood, Lakeview also houses Chicago's biggest gay population. In Lakewood's north you'll find the world-famous Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs. Generations of baseball legends have played here -- and millions of worshipping fans have watched adoringly -- at this American institution. Also, don't miss the Graceland Cemetery, an impressive if sometimes creepy collection of ornate Gothic tombs and statues. Overall, Lakeview offers a bit of something for everyone -- choose your own adventure in this varied suburb of Chicago. More »

Lill Street Art Center

Originating in 1975, the Lill Street Art Center has become a popular place for locals to learn about, practice, and enjoy art. Artists are free to come here to work on their craft in the studio spaces and those new to the scene can take any of the wide variety of classes offered here. They even provide kids the chance to dabble in all sorts of different art, as kid-specific classes cover everything from clay work to cartooning. In addition to sharing knowledge about art through classes and workshops, the center also hosts rotating exhibitions of artists' work in their gallery--a good place to check out if you're looking to find out what's happening in the local art scene. More »

Lincoln Monument

This stately sculpture that sits in Lincoln Park (appropriately), is one of the oldest and most important monuments in Chicago. It was built by architect Stanford White and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1887 and immortalizes the famous 16th American President with unique (in the 19th century) sculpturing techniques. The artists made the monument very lifelike and natural-looking, not posed as many sculptures of that era were, making it a historically significant piece of art. Lincoln is depicted rising from a chair, ready to make a speech, wearing an expression of concerned thoughtfulness, yet looking kind and prepared. More »

Lincoln Park

On the lakeside, is one of Chicago's biggest urban parks in Lincoln Park. In what originally was designated as a cemetery in the 1850s, the park was transformed into a city park where people could come enjoy. The cemetery in the northern boundary of the city was used to bury victims of cholera and small pox, until residents complained of the health risks ensued from the shallow graves. The city agreed and the bodies were removed to another location, and the park was named after the recently assassinated president Abraham Lincoln. The park has been developed over the years and also displays a number of art statues and functions inside the park such as a zoo and conservatory. Today Lincoln Park links the ritzy Lincoln Park neighborhood with the lakeshore, and you'll find people jogging and playing baseball on nice days in the summer. More »

Lincoln Park Conservatory

To escape the windy city and cold weather, take a step into the Lincoln Park Conservatory, an indoor greenhouse filled with a lush assortment of tropical plants and flowers. The conservatory is divided into four sections: the Palm House, the Fernery, the Orchid House and the Show House. Constructed between 1890 and 1895, the conservatory was designed by Victorian architect, Jospeh L. Silsbee, and primarily focuses on the incorporation of nature. The conservatory was a implicit part of the growing Lincoln Park. Popular for its annual flower shows, the conservatory is a great place to escape the frost air off the lakes and step into a humid paradise.
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Lincoln Park Zoo

One of the best values in Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo was started in 1868 when two swans were inherited by Lincoln Park administrators. It has been built into a great home for its many animals of all shapes and sizes as well as an emphasis on conservation and research. The best part is that it's free! This is a perfect place to hang out for a few hours with your little guys and teach them about the Animal Kingdom. More »

Macy's

Although this unique block-long building is now a Macy's flagship store, it's still a great shopping venue with interesting architectural details and great designer clothes. It is a magnificent building, complete with an unparalleled Tiffany favrile glass ceiling, 11-story atrium, and Walnut Room (tea room and restaurant). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the building itself is a sight to see, in addition to a great place to shop. More »

Magnificent Mile

In need of a little "retail therapy?" Don't worry, you've come to the right place. Chicago's Magnificent Mile is, as the name suggests, a glorious mile of retail heaven, with famous brands everywhere, restaurants, and crowds of busy shoppers everywhere. It stretches from the Chicago River to Oak Street on Michigan Avenue and was developed in the post-war era to become the current shopping mecca. There is more than just shopping along this strip, though, with the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Old Water Tower and Pumping Station, and the Hancock Observatory right there as well. It's certain to be a fun afternoon whatever you decide to do, even if it's just people watching as you weave through the crowds. More »

Marina City and 330 N. Wabash

While the austere 330 N. Wabash Building may look a bit over-futuristic set it its otherwise normal surroundings, it and the Marina City Towers (a.k.a. "the corn cobs") form an indelible strip of Chicago's striking skyline. Today Marina City is a bit of a city within a city; surrounded by restaurants, shops, and the House of Blues, it offers a bit of everything for its inhabitants. Visit Marina city for its impressive architecture and stay a while to soak in all of its local charm. More »

Marquette Building

The dignified red terra-cotta building dating from 1895 is one of Chicago's notable buildings in the Loop. Named after Pere Marquette, who was an important figure to the Chicago area in 1674 before the city was founded. The building was designed by architects, William Holabird and Martin Roche and was one of the pioneers of steel frame construction. Outside the red terra-cotta facade is blackened from soot over years from Chicago's industrial past, but efforts by the current owners of the building, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, have cleaned as much of the exterior as possible among other restorations to the building. The lobby is a fascinating octagonal space with detailed mosaic murals depicting the life and story of Marquette. The building is an interesting example of Chicago architecture and historical significance, and is a recognized Chicago landmark. More »

Marx-Saunders Gallery, Ltd.

One of the central beauties of art is the sense one has that it can be anything. This insight has clearly inspired the artists featured by the Marx-Saunders Gallery, which specializes in contemporary glass art. This is a particularly challenging artistic medium that demands intense mastery from its practitioners, and the artists on display here have done their homework, to say the least. It is a fascinating artistic process to learn about; seeing the finished product is guaranteed to be thought-provoking. It's a great activity for particularly artistic teenagers and couples, but be weary about bringing little ones. More »

Maya Polsky Gallery

This gallery showcases some of the best Russian (and international) contemporary artists on the scene today. Some of the artists featured here include Nikita Gashunin, Ed Paschke, Jose Cobo, and Sergei Sherstiuk, as well as other modern artists. Opened in 1989 by Maya herself, the gallery has continued its focus on artists who combine professional painting techniques with social meaning. Until recently, it has proved to be difficult for the gallery to bring Russian art to Chicago (due in part to the Cold War and customs problems), but now it's an easy task, making the current gallery offerings even more unique and varied. More »

McCormick Place

Welcome to the king of convention centers in the country. McCormick Place's 2.7 million square feet of exhibit halls on top of 700,000 square feet of meeting room space and 4 ballrooms, makes it unsurpassed as one of the largest and best complexes in the country. Attracting over 3 million visitors a year, including the popular auto show. The convention center is comprised of four buildings: North and South Buildings, the West Building, and Lakeside Center, making it one of the premiere facilities in North America. McCormick Place was named after the McCormick family who ran the Chicago Tribune among other things in Chicago. More »

McCormick-Tribune Ice Rink

Come down to Millennium Park in winter months and ice skate -- it's free and open to the public! Skate rentals are available, and there's 16,000 square feet to roam, so you need not be an Olympic skater to have a good time. You'll love the views down here, and it's hard to beat free. When spring strikes, the rink is broken down and replaced with a restaurant where you can dine on the plaza. This is great fun for families and couples especially. More »

Merchandise Mart

Don't be fooled by the Merchandise Mart's unassuming name: this massive building is the world's largest commercial center. The Merchandise Mart was the creation of James Simpson, chairman of the ambitious Chicago Plan Commission from 1926 to 1935. It was seen as a new way to consolidate thousands of commercial activities under one (tremendous) roof. Spanning over two city blocks and reaching 25 stories upwards, you can get lost in the building for days at a time. The first two floors are now a shopping mall, the rest of it is high-end home furnishing and remodeling. Give yourself time to visit this complex, because it's impossible to take a quick stroll through its enormous halls. More »

Michigan Avenue Bridge

The Michigan Avenue Bridge is a must-see during your trip, for its engineering, history, and not in the least, the views of downtown. The 1920 draw bridge links Chicago's north and south across the Chicago River, and raises its bascules to accommodate boat traffic, which is very neat to see. At each corner of the bridge is a bas-relief sculpture that depicts an important event in the development of Chicago, from its discovery and settlement, the massacre at Fort Dearborn in 1812, and the reconstruction after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. You can see the plaques that denote where the original Fort Dearborn settlers marked their territory towards the southeast end. Any photographer will love the views of the skyscrapers juxtaposed against the river, and perhaps you'll be lucky enough to catch the bridge in motion. More »

Midway Plaisance

Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead designed the Midway Plaisance--French for "pleasant"--to connect adjacent Washington and Jackson Parks for the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition. The exhibition was an enormous success and millions came to see new attractions like George Ferris' "Ferris Wheel," which elevated riders 250+ feet in the air over Chicago. This is surely the origin of the term "midway" being used to describe fairgrounds and carnivals. Nowadays, the Midway is used mostly as recreational space for passerbys; there is also an ice skating rink in winter. It's just off the University of Chicago campus and makes for a perfect spot to picnic. More »

Millennium Park

This new addition to the Chicago's existing Grant Park was conceived in 1998 by Mayor Richard M. Daley and constructed under the design guidance of architect Frank Gehry. The magnificent park covers 24.5 acres and is populated with lushly designed green spaces, walking paths, and large modern sculpture. One of the most striking elements of the park is the Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion--the most modern and sophisticated outdoor music venue currently in the country. Other popular park features are the futuristic-looking Cloud Gate and the Crown Fountain. The fountain is a 50-foot thin rectangular structure covered with glass blocks on both sides that project (onto LED screens) rotating images of Chicago residents spouting water from their mouths. More »

Milton Lee Olive Park

This quiet, often overlooked park sits out in Lake Michigan and overlooks the water, the city, and the famous Navy Pier. It's a great place to go for a jog or walk, as a nice path rims the water and offers great scenery to visitors. There are plenty of trees to provide shade for summer-day picnics, and benches abound, making it a good place to sit and enjoy the green grounds. The park was named after Private First Class Milton Lee Olive III, a Vietnam War hero, and dedicated in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. More »

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian

Focusing directly on the culture, history, and art of North American Native American Indians, this museum features a colorful collection of over 6,000 crafts, traditional clothing, everyday tools, and other objects. It began in 1977 when two generous benefactors, John and Betty Mitchell, donated their collection of over 3,000 items they had gathered over 60 years to Kendall College. Today, the museum showcases items from the Native cultures of the Woodlands, Plains, Northwest, Southwest, Coast, and Arctic regions of North America. In addition to their permanent and rotating exhibits of artifacts, the museum has a research library open for the use of visitors that comprises over 5,000 books, periodicals, and video and audio tapes. More »

Monadnock Building

Built in 1891 and finally completed in 1893, the 16-story Monadnock Building is arguably the first skyscraper and one of the most important buildings in Chicago. Its construction and design revealed a way forward, to greater and greater heights. The northern half of the building is like most contemporary structures, with the outside walls supporting the rest of the building, but this "load-bearing masonry" construction had the consequence of being obscenely heavy. At it's base, the walls are about 6 feet thick, and so heavy that the structure began to sink into the Earth after it was completed. The southern half, however, used a steel exoskeleton that allowed strength without the extra weight, which has been the backbone of most every skyscraper built since. This is known as "curtain wall" construction: using the outside walls as a "curtain" to protect from the outside, rather than as a support from gravity. The entire building's exterior is dominated solely by the curves of the architecture, eschewing ornate and elaborate details in favor of the design itself, a significant design choice in its own right. It is still a functional office building, but also has restaurants and shops for you to peruse as you admire the building. Don't miss this amazing building. More »

Monument to the Great Northern Migration

This interesting sculpture is a tribute to the Great Northern Migration of blacks who came north and settled in Chicago and its hinterlands to escape the Jim Crow South, transforming the city forever. The bronze statue depicts a man with a suitcase at his side, hand raised in greeting. The statue has been oriented so that the man appears to be walking north. It was completed in September 1996 by Alison Saar and is certain to evoke some thoughtful reflection: on America, on her "original sin" and peculiar institution, on the work ethic and persistence of its people. More »

Monument with Standing Beast

This sculpture definitely stands out in downtown Chicago, with its fiberglass white-and-black body and curvy, modern design. It was designed by Jean Dubuffet and unveiled to an eagerly awaiting local crowd in 1984. The sculpture is said to abstractly represent four elements--a tree, standing animal, portal, and an architectural form--and is based on one of the artists paintings, Hourioupe. Observers can easily walk in front, back, and through the sculpture, creating a feeling of being in the art, rather than just looking at it--Jean wanted it to be more of of an experience for the public than a structure. More »

Morton Arboretum

About 25 miles west of the city is the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, a lovely expanse of green space originally built by the owner of Morton Salt, Joy Morton. The grounds cover some 1,700 acres and is home to about 4,000 types trees, shrubs, flowers, and other kinds of plants from all across the globe. You'll have access to miles of hiking trails as well as drivable trails for those less able to get around. It's a welcome respite from the concrete jungle of Chicago, great for kids, and perfect for a peaceful exploration through the woods. More »

Museum of Contemporary Art

The best part of visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art is that their exhibitions are frequently changed, so no matter how often you go back, you're likely to see something new. The museum's downtown building includes 45,000 square feet of gallery space that houses well over 2,000 artifacts, all created since 1945. In the four decades since the museum's founding in 1967, it has become a leading institution in the world of modern art, and the collection demonstrates this above all. You'll find Andy Warhol, Rene Magritte, and Jasper Johns, major figures in Pop Art, surrealism, and Dadaism, respectively, but there's always something different that you didn't expect to see as well. For this reason, it's worth your time to come down, even if you don't consider yourself a connoisseur. More »

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Founded in 1984 as part of Columbia College, this museum is dedicated to the art of photography as seen since 1936. Inside, the permanent collection of photography greats Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, and Chuck Close among others, is juxtaposed with up-and-coming creative photographic talents from around the Midwest as part of the Midwestern Photographers Project. All told, there are some 8,000 photographs and items in the collection here, making it a must-stop for anyone into the craft of making a picture. More »

Museum of Holography

This museum is dedicated to the art of producing holograms, which is accomplished by capturing the light particles in such a way as to reflect a holographic image. The science behind holography is only about 60 years old and this museum has also devoted itself as a school for those interested in the technology. The museum showcases lots of holographic art produced by all kinds of different methods. It's quirky, to say the least, but you'll definitely learn something and who knows, maybe you'll be inspired yourself! More »

Museum of Science and Industry

This is one of the world's very best museums, renowned for its interactive, yet informative and historical exhibits that bring the science behind our everyday experiences to life. It was originally built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition and the Beaux-Arts building remains in all its glory, the only one that still lives in its original location. Apart from the gorgeous architectural, come to see one of only two Nazi U-Boat submarines captured during World War II, or the working deep shaft coal mine within the central building, or Yesterday's Mainstreet, which attempts to recreate what life was like at the turn of the 20th century, with shops, groceries, restaurants, and so on and so forth. There's a multitude of amazing stuff that will certainly broaden your knowledge, whatever your age or education level. Don't miss this place on any trip! More »

National Museum of Mexican Art

This beautiful museum is the United States' largest Latino culture organization and is focused on preserving and promoting appreciation for Mexican art and culture. In addition to displaying a comprehensive array of over 5,500 permanent (and many more temporary) pieces of Latino art, the museum provides support and encouragement for local Mexican artists, puts on workshops and arts education programs, and serves as a cultural ally between Latino groups in Chicago. It has presented (or currently houses) collections from such famous artists as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Jose Guadalupe Posada, among other historic and contemporary Latino artists. More »

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum

It's one of the hardest things to comprehend about war, the scale of it all, the enormity of the sacrifices, collectively and individually. America's war in Vietnam is no different, but the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum attempts to shed light on this dark area by bringing you in touch with the expressive, often times painful works of art created by veterans of the Vietnam conflict, but also recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The signature exhibit is a collection of 58,000+ dogtags, representing each of the Americans killed in action during Vietnam. It is a chilling exhibition that breaks through the fog surrounding our perceptions--the massive losses of that each dogtag represents are staggering and very real. While this museum is certainly intense, it is a rare opportunity to draw lessons about war from those who survived, and to remember those who did not. In this way, it is a excellent teachable moment for your kids. More »

Navy Pier

When you're bored in Chicago, you'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better solution than to head down to Navy Pier, the complex of shopping, rides, restaurants, bars, gardens, and theaters. It was originally built in 1916 as a multi-use public space but eventually saw use as a naval training area during World War II. It wasn't until the 1990s that the pier was converted into what it is today. The Navy Pier caters to people of all ages and interests, and there really is something here for everyone, whether that is riding the Ferris wheel or lounging in the beer garden. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is located here as well, if you were interested in taking in a little of the Bard. There's over 50 acres of space and more things to do than you'll have time to do them, but this complex on the edge of Lake Michigan is a superb public space. More »

Near West Side

A diverse neighborhood with African-American, Greek, Italian, Latino communities, and a great deal of students from the University of Illinois at Chicago make this a lively neighborhood to visit. "Oprah" fans can check out Harpo Studios, where the show is filmed and produced. Also don't miss Wicker Park and Bucktown, as well as Ukrainian Village and River West. While in the past it was known for its crime and the race riots after Martin Luther King's death in 1968, new life is being brought to the neighborhood with the university and other economic developments. Come visit the Near West Side for a look at Chicago's ever-changing social landscape. More »

Newberry Library

The Newberry Library is one of the world's leading research libraries in the world. Housing some of the best examples of rare non-circulating documents such as books, maps, music, manuscripts, the library provides a location for not only research, but the protection and preservation of these important cultural literary relics. The library was founded at the bequest of Walter Newberry in 1887 when he asked for a free public library to be established. The library is free providing a reader card which can be attained by anyone over the age of 16, and has over 5 million manuscripts, books, and maps spanning across histories of Europe and America. The library is a World-class collection from top to bottom and gives researchers a premiere collection to find information. More »

North Avenue Beach and Chess Pavilion

This urban beach can be really fun, but also really crowded. If you're lucky on a hot weekend day and can find a spot to lay a towel, you'd better hang on to it. On nice days, there are usually people everywhere--lounging, swimming, roller blading, running, cycling, playing beach volleyball--you name it; this area draws everyone to enjoy the warm weather. The Art Deco-styled beach house conveniently offers concessions and restrooms for those enjoying the sand and surf; you never have to go too far to find snacks. One popular activity that occupies visitors and locals is chess--stop by the chess pavilion to test your skills against local experts or your friends as there are always people here ready to play. More »

Northwestern University

Widely considered one of the most prestigious colleges in the Midwest, Northwestern University is a four year university founded in 1851 just north of Chicago in Evanston. Originally the university was founded by Methodists from Chicago looking to open an educational facility for the people of what then was the northwest. Today the school is a private institution that has what is considered some of the best journalism, law, and business schools in the country. Overall, the university consistently is found in the top 25 schools in the country. Operating a main campus in Evanston off of Lake Michigan, the school also runs an urban campus in downtown Chicago providing succinctly different learning environments in the greater Chicago area. More »

Northwestern University Beach

If you've made the short trip up to Evanston from the city and you're looking for a place to relax, this beach will do quite nicely. It is well stocked and full of amenities that some other Chicagoland beaches lack, namely changing rooms and bathrooms, showers, as well as rental facilities for sailing. Northwestern University is just off the beach and is also well worth your time. A great place to hang and read for a little while, take a dip in Lake Michigan, or just play dead to the world. More »

Notebaert Nature Museum

This urban jewel opened in 1999 as a place to educate the public on the importance of preserving the natural environment around us. Not only does the museum teach others about how to be more environmentally friendly, but it walks the walk too--it is housed in a solar-powered building, has a rooftop garden to aid in insulation, and many exhibits are made from recycled materials. Check out the butterfly garden (one of the only year-round gardens in the area) that features over 75 different fluttery species, and the "Hands on Habitat" where kids can crawl through replicas of various animal homes. More »

Oak Park

Oak Park, a suburb south of Chicago, is known to many for its small prairie houses, and as the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, Ray Kroc, and Richard Sears. A residential community, the biggest draw for visitors is its impressive collection of houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (who lived here as well); there are over 25 of the well-known architect's houses here, and each is an individual work of art in itself. The Ernest Hemingway Museum is also something to check out for fans of the Nobel Prize winner. All in all, this is a charming, relaxing of suburb with plenty of history to check out as you stroll along its wide, beautiful streets. More »

Oak Street

The block-long section of Oak Street between Michigan Avenue and Rush Street may be compact, but it's got the city's densest concentration of high-end shopping. It's home to some of Chicago's most exclusive shops and salons, and it's great for people-watching (you may pick up fashion tips just from watching some of the stylish Oak Street regulars pass by). More »

Oak Street Beach

Arguably the most famous beach in Chicago, Oak Street is very popular due to its wide range of amenities, proximity to populated residential areas, and soft sand. Runners, volleyball players, swimmers, cyclists, and sunbathers all love to congregate here and enjoy warm weather and unbeatable views of the Chicago downtown area. There are concessions and restrooms available for public use, so it's a good place to spend a whole day and not have to leave the beach. More »

Ohio Street Beach

This small beach just off from downtown and Lake Shore Drive is popular because it offers great no-frills lounging in the sun and sand. The swimming area is marked off and you'll not have to worry about all the boats that pass through Lake Michigan. It's not as crowded as some of the other beaches, and it has a typically wonderful view. It's a great place to chill out and cool off in the summer, but be forewarned that there aren't many amenities here. More »

Old Colony Building

The Old Colony Building is one of Chicago's venerable old skyscrapers of the nineteenth century's industrial prime. Built between 1893 and 1894 by the architectural team of Holabird and Roche at the corner of Dearborn and Van Buren Streets, the building follows other classic Chicago styles including steel-frame construction and terra cotta molding, but also incorporates a design that isn't often found on other Chicago skyscrapers. The building features the use of rounded windows on the corner bays that draw more light into the building and create more space. Today the building, that looks nearly black from the years of age, was designated as a Chicago landmark in 1978 preserving one of the first examples of skyscrapers built after the Great Chicago Fire. More »

Old Town

Old Town, sometimes called Old Town Triangle, is the "old wealth" section of Chicago -- an affluent, historical area filled with Victorian homes, luxury high-rises, and lively stores and shopping. The Loop is only a short walk away from Old Town, and a quick taxi trip will take you to the beating heart of the city. Right across the corner you will find North Michigan Avenue, home to Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and many other luxury stores. Old Town's biggest draw, however, is the old-world charm and historical beauty of the residential area. Make sure to include this in your visit, because this neighborhood's landmarks, like the St. Michael Church and the Getty, are not to be missed. More »

Oriental Institute Museum

The Oriental Institute Museum has a comprehensive collection of rare artifacts, photographs, excavation records, and documents highlighting the anthropological history of the Near East. Journey through the galleries and covering Mesopotamia, Egyptian, and Nubian cultures (to name a few). Browse through ancient tablet records and archives of these artifacts dating back to ancient history of the East. Located on the campus of the University of Chicago, the museum is focused on the education and conservation of these cultural studies, and one of the best ways to get familiar with the artifacts on hand is to explore the exhibits on a guided tour. After you complete your tour, check out the "Suk," (Arabic for 'market') for gifts to share with family and friends. In addition to being a museum, the institute offers lectures, films, and workshops to enrich minds and appreciation of the ancient cultures of yesterday. More »

Oriental Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts

This elaborate theater was once the premier movie venue in the city and now is a popular place to host Broadway musicals and private events. it was constructed in 1926 by the architectural firm Rapp and Rapp and comprises decor that is glitzy and glamorous, complete with palace-like paintings, decorations, and accessories. The theater is decorated with a Far-East theme, with gold Buddhas and other incredible Asian art. It can hold up to about 2250 people (depending on the performance) and offers various lobbies, rooms, and halls available for rent as venues for banquets, parties, or dinners. More »

Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary

Birders naturally flock to this aptly named urban oasis, located within Jackson Park on the South Side. Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary is also known as Wooded Island, and it's most distinguishing feature is it's location for migrating birds. Some 250 species of birds are observable here, but even if you're more into escaping the concrete jungle than seeing many varieties of bird species, this is just the place. Amidst the skyscrapers, it can be hard to imagine a place like this so it is refreshing to know it exists, in any case. More »

Petrillo Music Shell

This venue, located in Grant Park, is a popular place for free concerts and other events and festivals throughout the year. During the summer, the Grant Park Music Festival presents free evening concerts that are well-attended by locals and visitors. The shell is named for James Petrillo, a beloved Chicago resident who was the president of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, commissioner of the Chicago Park District, and the originator of Grant Park's free concerts. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy the warm summer evening entertainment! More »

Picasso Statue

Pablo Picasso was as good as provoking responses as he was at creating art, and no piece is more emblematic of this then his 50-foot tall metal fabrication in Daley Plaza. Nobody quite knows what the statue is supposed to depict, though many theories abound. The work was commissioned from Picasso in 1963, but it was not erected in the plaza outside City Hall until 1967. The bill for the project? $350,000, which was taken care of by philanthropic gifts, while Picasso himself gifted his efforts to the city and accepted no payment for his work. The gift endures today and it has become a well-known, much-discussed landmark--children love to play on the huge structure while their parents wonder what it is supposed to be! More »

Polish Museum of America

Originally established in 1935 under the official name "Museum and Archives of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America", this museum holds a large collection of artifacts and documents relating to Polish history both in Poland and the United States. The main impetus of the collections happened in 1939, when the World's Fair was held in New York City. The year marked a major anniversary of the country--the 20th anniversary of the Second Republic of Poland--and the Polish government installed a large collection at the fair to commemorate the event. In the fall of that year, Poland was invaded during the beginning of World War II, and the collection's fate was uncertain, as they couldn't return safely to their home country. To ensure the preservation and safekeeping of the collections, the directors of the Polish Museum decided to purchase almost 75% of the items from the Polish government, which significantly expanded their exhibits. More »

Prairie Avenue Historic District

As the city rebuilt itself after the Great Chicago Fire, many of the captains of industry such as George Pullman (of Pullman Rail Car Company), Marshall Field (of Marshall Field & Co), and Phillip Armour (of meatpacking giant Armour & Co) all occupied mansions along Prairie Avenue. Grand Victorian homes lined this street and many still remain. Over the past century, much of the district has fallen in disrepair, unfortunately, but the area has undergone some rejuvenation in recent years. You can still walk through the area, and if you'd like, take a tour given by the Chicago Architectural Foundation for a more in-depth presentation. More »

Printers Row

This district along Dearborn Street was once a row of publishing and printing businesses and now has been turned into an area of renovated lofts, restaurants, bars, and miscellaneous shops. It is located just south of downtown along the Loop area, ripe for a bit of wandering around the tree-lined neighborhood. This is another great part of Chicago's hodgepodge of formerly industrial neighborhoods that have been redeveloped as residential living areas. You need bits of history, politics, economics, and culture to explain these trends, but they make for interesting sight-seeing. More »

Pullman District

One of the more interesting historic subtexts you'll find anywhere you visit in Chicago, the Pullman District was designed in 1880 by architect Solon Spencer Beman to be the "company town" of George Pullman's Pullman Rail Car Company, which built the lush Pullman sleeping cars that ran along American railroads. The Pullman community housing included contemporary luxuries like indoor plumbing and heating, and workers rented houses from Pullman, bought food from the Pullman store, and so on and so forth. It all came crashing down during the economic panic of 1894, when wages fell while the rent stayed the same, leading to a bloody strike -- the first organized strike in the United States, as a matter of fact). This was ironic because George Pullman's vision in building this industrial community was a bet that by raising the standard of living for the working class, he could forestall a workers' strike. The neighborhood has been remarkably preserved and is an intriguing place to see this original experiment in industrial model planning, which has been replicated with more success elsewhere. More »

Reliance Building

This historic building is important in architectural history because it is considered the building whose design paved the way for the modern steel-structure skyscraper. Ahead of their time, architectural firm Burnham and Root designed the building in 1891, creating a sturdy building with a look of lightness, using an all-window exterior framed with tiles. Today, the building's place in history is commemorated as a National Historic Landmark and by securing a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. It's currently used as a hotel, where lucky guests can marvel at the amazing restorative work done over the years to get the building back to its original design, yet still maintaining the hotel's elegant and sophisticated amenities and style. More »

Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society is one of the leading galleries bringing contemporary artists to the city of Chicago. The gallery, as part of the greater University of Chicago, was established in 1915, and brought artwork by artists such as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondrian to name a few. What's incredibly unique about the society and the gallery is that they do not collect any pieces of work, but rather exhibit artists to help encourage the develop of contemporary art in America. Beyond art, the Society offers other events and publications devoted to the topic. If your into avant-garde art or want to explore what contemporary art is, the Renaissance Society is the place for you. More »

Residence of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Chicago

If you're wandering around the Gold Coast, make sure to sneak a peek at the Chicago Archbishop's residence, an imposing Victorian building with a brick facade and an impressive history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Residence was built in 1885 by Patrick Augistine Feehan and has been a temporary home to such venerated individuals as Pope Pius XII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Although it is a private residence and tours are not given, it is still one of the most beautiful buildings in the area and deserves a look. More »

Richard H. Driehaus Museum

These two houses are memorials to an earlier portion of Chicago's history. The Nickerson House was built in 1883 for Samuel M. Nickerson, founder of the First National Bank of Chicago, and is sometimes called the "Marble Palace" as the interior is virtually stuffed with marble, inlaid wood -- a work of art and a real sight to see. The other of the duo was the Romanesque mansion of the president of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Company, Ransom R. Cable. Both are now stranded among the contemporary office high-rise complexes that today dominate North Michigan Avenue, reminders of Chicago's past poking out conspicuously into our present. Go and visit them for a heavy dose of nostalgia and architectural intrigue. More »

River North Gallery District

Hundreds of art galleries in the Near North Neighborhood known as River North make the area the center of a vibrant arts scene. Centered on Superior and Huron streets, the galleries spill out into the surrounding streets, and the River North Gallery District is often described as having North America's highest concentration of art galleries outside of Manhattan. Located close to the major downtown hotels and attractions, the Gallery District replaced a former warehouse district. More »

Robie House

Architecture fiends will relish every second of a tour through this Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, built in 1910 for inventor Frederick C. Robie. The distinct horizontal lines, open floor plan, and a multitude of windows reveal a different home than what appears from the outside. These are all classic Wright features of his Prairie architectural style and a significant influence to modern construction. The complexity is astounding, and Wright's vision of creating a home that integrated with how Midwestern prairie habitats existed in nature is indeed a soaring one. It is certainly a departure from four walls and a roof, to say the least. This National Historic Landmark is a fascinating place and you're guaranteed to learn something about Wright and his building philosophy here. More »

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

When John D. Rockefeller asked for a chapel to be built on the southern edge of the University of Chicago's campus, he envisioned it to be a reflection of the integration of faith and learning. While times have certainly changed since it was established in 1928, its purpose is still the same, providing a venue for ecumenical services for the university as well as a place for both performances of religious music such as "Messiah" and ceremonies like graduation are held. The chapel was designed to be the 'central and dominant feature' of the campus, and is strikingly the tallest and most prominent structure. The chapel's 72 bronze-bell carillon is the second largest in the world and can be heard throughout the week while school is in session. More »

Rookery Building

Built in 1888 as part of the wave of rebuilding after the Great Chicago Fire, the Rookery Building is one of the Second City's greatest architectural achievements. Many of the legends of Chicago architecture left their fingerprints on the Rookery; it was originally built by Daniel Burnham and John Root of the top architecture firm Burnham & Root, but the grand light flooded atrium is the handy work of none other than Frank Lloyd Wright, who remodeled this room in 1907. It rises 12 stories in the air, which was quite high for its time, but its architectural details make it a significant milestone. The construction was a hybrid of the traditional masonry buildings with load-bearing walls, but is also supported by a reinforced steel skeletal structure, which would be the way forward for modern skyscrapers. The Rookery's peculiar name is derived from a previous building that used to be a favorite hangout of area birds. Don't miss this amazing building. More »

Rosehill Cemetery

This cemetery to the north of downtown is where many of Chicago's past good and great have been laid to rest for all eternity. 14 mayors, captains of industry, and even a Vice President are here. The cemetery was founded in 1859 and is quite large, at 350 acres of space, and you'll gawk at the massive, dramatic entrance designed by architect William Boynington, who is also buried at Rosehill. It is beautiful here and like all cemeteries, the tombs and graves leave you wondering about the stories left unheard by all this death. More »

Sears Tower Skydeck

Towering over downtown Chicago at 1,353 feet (412 meters), the Skydeck on top of the famed Sears Tower offers visitors an unparalleled view of Lake Michigan and the great Windy City. When the sky is clear, visibility stretches to 40 or 50 miles; you can even see into four different states from the top of the tower--Illinois (of course), Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. While at the top of this tall edifice--even though the view is so amazing that many don't want to take their eyes off of it--take some time to look around at the museum-quality displays and exhibits. They tell of Chicago's history, sports, and landmarks; there are even special touch-screen computers that offer all of the information in six different languages so visitors of many nationalities can enjoy the exhibits. More »

Seneca Park

This small park offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago with an open lawn area, park benches, and a good chunk of shade. It's near the Water Tower and Michigan Avenue and may be just the place you're looking for to break up a full day of sight-seeing. Take a newspaper or a book and maybe something to toss around and enjoy. More »

Six Flags Great America

This sprawling amusement park is sure to send your kids into a tizzy when you tell them what awaits, whatever their age. For the little guys, there is the Bugs Bunny National Park, with age-appropriate rides in a Looney Tunes motif, while the older, bigger kids will revel in the Raging Bull roller coaster, which drops 208 feet at 73 mph, which is just one of the many. The park is located about an hour outside of the city center, but you'll want to stay for a little while to get your money's worth. There's endless fun to be had here and it may be a nice carrot to keep your clan in line for the rest of the trip! More »

South Michigan Avenue

A stroll down South Michigan Avenue will take you by some of the older and more stately of Chicago's cultural, financial, and historical buildings. South Michigan Avenue was once the bustling main commercial drag of the growing city of Chicago. However, most of the commercial action and major construction moved north towards what is now called the "Magnificent Mile" once the Michigan Avenue Bridge over the Chicago river was finished in 1920, leaving the historic southern half of the street to age in dignity. Stretched along the main artery of Chicago's downtown, you'll find turn-of-the-century hotels and office buildings, a somewhat slower pace, and a refuge in which to enjoy Chicago's older urban history while getting a break from the bustle of the city center just up the road. More »

South Shore Cultural Center

To find tap classes, western line-dancing, and Bhakti yoga, you'd probably have to run all over the city. That is unless you head over to South Shore Cultural Center. The center is situated on a 65-acre park built at the turn of the century as a private country club in 1905. The highlight of the private club was the clubhouse built in 1916, which incorporated the ballroom of the old clubhouse. Eventually, membership to the club died down during the 60s and 70s until the club was set to be demolished in 1974 by the Chicago Park District to expand their facilities. With vocal response from the community, the building was saved and revamped saving the building with its antiques and furniture. Today the South Shore Cultural Center is a hub for cultural programs, exhibits, and professional performances. More »

Southport Avenue

Representing both old Chicago with its rows of restored houses, and new, with its hopping nightlife, Southport Avenue is a trendy Chicago strip of bars, restaurants, and chic boutique shops. It is perfect for an afternoon of shopping followed by a night on the town. The Southport district is bounded north by Grace Avenue and south by Belmont, which lends itself to the kind of intermittent walking that window shopping demands. It's a nice way to see Chicago as locals do instead of succumbing to the draw and daunt of the Magnificent Mile. More »

Spa Space

Need a break to recharge your batteries? You won't be disappointed at Spa Space, which offers a full suite of personal services from hot stone massages to manicures and pedicures to waxing to facials and on and on. Expectant mothers will delight in a prenatal massage, but men needn't shy away from this place either as they also cater to their needs as well. There is something for everybody here, so prepare for a little time in the rejuvenation machine that is Spa Space. More »

Spertus Museum

This museum, part of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, seeks to broaden public understanding of the Jewish experience through its collection of historical, religious, and cultural artifacts. The collection totals some 15,000 artifacts, ranging from works of art by Jewish artists to chilling Holocaust items. The permanent collection is complimented by rotating exhibitions, the hands-on Children's Center, and an auditorium. It's a great collection honoring the thousands of years of Jewish history and culture. More »

St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church

Originally built in 1910 as the Anshe Shalom Synagogue in a predominantly Jewish community, the St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church is now an anchor of Chicago's Greek Orthodox congregation. A bronze statue of explorer Christopher Columbus was erected for the 1893 World's Fair, which somewhat more notably also featured the debut of the Ferris Wheel. The interior decor is opulent and fills the Greek Revival-designed church with gravitas, as one might expect from this tradition. A beautiful church sure to impress you, no matter your faith or lack thereof. More »

St. Clements Church

The Saint Clement Church is a well-known Byzantine building in Lincoln Park. Like many Catholic churches, it floods the interior with stained glass lighting, and the vaulted ceilings provide a vast worshipping space. Whether you're an observant Catholic or not, the building is quite interesting architecturally, both inside and outside. Religious services happen throughout the week if you're so inclined, but otherwise stop on by for a look-see. More »

St. James Cathedral

Parts of this beautiful cathedral date back to 1857, when the Episcopal congregation of Chicago decided they needed a new church for their growing community. With foresight, the congregation decided to renovate the church a few years later and put fire-proofing measures for their new Civil War Memorial into place. Only a few weeks later, the Great Chicago Fire broke out and destroyed much of the town, but parts of the church were saved, including the Memorial. Four years later, in 1875, the cathedral was rebuilt in the gorgeous style it is today. Now, it's a popular Chicago landmark and is still enjoyed by the city's large Episcopal congregation. More »

St. Josaphat Church

St. Josaphat Church was constructed in 1899 to serve the growing Kashube (an ethnic group from northern Poland who spoke a language closer to German than Polish and were under Prussian rule) population in Chicago. It was the first church in the nation to be considered fireproof, as its skeleton is made of all steel. The church was built in Polish style, with two large Romanesque bell towers and opulent decor. Today, the parish comprises a wide group of ethnicities, from Polish and Kashube to English and Hispanic, making it a good representation of the city's diversity. More »

St. Michael's Church

The tallest building in Chicago from 1869 to 1885, St. Michael's Church is an incredible Old Town cathedral. Its neo-gothic interiors are truly incredible to behold, and the bell tower reaches far into the sky, a testament to the strength of Chicago's Catholic community. It was built by the Redemptorist Fathers of the German immigrant community, and for a long time services were conducted only in German. It was almost totally destroyed in the 1871 Chicago fire (when even its steeple bells melted), but was rapidly reconstructed in only two years, making it one the first church in the city back in action after the fire. When you're in Old Town, be sure not to miss this majestic building -- you will be moved by its dignified splendor. More »

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral

Construction on this beautiful Neo-byzantine structure began in 1913 in western Chicago and was completed in time to celebrate Christmas Day mass in 1915. Twenty lots on Rice St. were purchased by the parish, so in addition to the cathedral, many parish families built houses around the area, creating Chicago's Ukrainian Village that is still a popular area of the city today. The magnificent centerpiece of the community is the cathedral, complete with 13 ornate domes--one for Jesus Christ and each of his 12 apostles. St. Nicholas also supports a patish school that enrolls about 150 elementary students each year. More »

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church

Known as the "mother church" of the Polish Catholic population of Chicago, St. Stanislaus Kostka is an opulent reminder of the city's large Polish population. It was constructed in 1881 by architect Patrick Keely in Renaissance style, complete with chandeliers by famed designer Louis Tiffany, and stained glass windows by F.X. Zettler of the Royal Bavarian Institute. By 1897, the parish had become the largest in the United States, with a membership of about 40,000 people (about 8,000 families). Today, the church welcomes a diverse ethnic population as they provide services in Polish, Spanish, and English languages. More »

Stephen A. Douglas Tomb and Memorial

The grave of Senator Stephen A. Douglas sits below this massive 46-foot tall column headed off by a 10-foot statue of the man. Douglas, a complicated, influential politician, is perhaps most famous for the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 where he and a fellow by the name of Abraham Lincoln squared off in a series of extemporaneous, long form "debates." These gatherings were actually nothing like our modern debating concept, with candidates appearing before a moderator and allotted a very specific, and short, amount of time to respond. The Lincoln-Douglas debates had a peculiar format that allowed lengthy meditations by each candidate: Douglas, as the incumbent, spoke first for one hour; then, Lincoln rebutted for one hour and a half; finally, Douglas had a half-hour to reply. The seven debates decided the US Senate seat in 1858, which Douglas won, largely on the strength of his debating skill. He would lose to Lincoln when they ran against one another--Douglas as a Democrat and Lincoln as a Republican--in 1860, this time for President. With the country quickly descending into an internecine Civil War by spring of 1861, Douglas tried to leverage his support for the Union cause, but he would die of typhoid by the early summer. More »

Swedish American Museum Center

Kurt Mathiasson, a leader of the Swedish community, dreamed of a center where Swedish Americans could express their culture and traditions with other people. in 1976, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden opened the center helping realize that dream. In what started with humble beginning has slowly grown, relocating in 1987 and renovating again in 1997 to provide a 24,000 square-foot three story building comprised of a museum, gallery, and library with artifacts, art, and cultural collections spanning from the nineteenth century when the first Swedish immigrants starting arriving. The center blends the two cultures together in one location making it a unique look at Swedish American history. Come during a traditional Christmas or Lucia celebration, or just come check out some of the great food in the location. More »

Symphony Center-Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Located right downtown, the Symphony Center is Chicago's orchestra complex, home to the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra has been in business for over a century, performing for the first time in 1892. At the center of the Symphony Center complex is Orchestra Hall, a 1904 creation of Daniel Burnham, the Chicago architectural legend. If symphony is your bag, definitely try to make it to a formal evening here; otherwise, coming to admire the building is a nice consolation. More »

The Loop

"The Loop" -- the hustling, bustling, heart of downtown Chicago -- got its name from the elevated train system, which creates a loop circling the main financial district. The second largest business district in America (after Manhattan), this is a huge area with plenty to offer the awestruck visitor. The most obvious sight is the Sears Tower, the tallest of Chicago's many skyscrapers. Along your sojourn you will find an excellent sampling of outdoor sculptures, including works by Picasso, Miro, Chagall, and Calder. There is more shopping here than you can shake a stick at, but be sure not to miss Jewelry row for a brilliant display. Also, for aesthetes, visit the Civic Opera House, Chicago Theater, and Fine Arts Building. Visiting the Loop is one way to marvel at the industrial might of the city, to which the impossibly tall, towering edifices attest. Come to The Loop -- it's the only place to experience Chicago's financial, cultural, and social center. More »

The Shops at North Bridge

Best known as the home of Nordstrom's, a Seattle-based department store that is considered one of the finest in the world, the Shops at North Bridge Mall is on the Magnificent Mile, Chicago's shopping mecca. The mall is home to 50 other shops as well: the first two levels are devoted to fashion and jewelry stores, while the third floor has children's stores, with the main attraction being the ever-popular LEGO store. A food court on the fourth floor and several restaurants at street level provide nourishment and refreshment for hungry shoppers. More »

Theater on the Lake

This indoor/outdoor theater is set in Lincoln Park, very near the shores of Lake Michigan. It is designed in 3/4 thrust style so that no audience member sits behind the actors (prior to 1996, it was an arena-style venue with seating all around). The theater seats 400 and has been showcasing great theatrical performances (both amateur and professional) since it opened in 1942. It is operated by the parks district of Chicago and is a popular place to go for summer evening entertainment. More »

Tribune Tower

The Tribune Tower sits on Michigan Avenue looking over the Chicago River and is home to the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. The building was constructed in 1922 and finished in 1925 to be the home of the publication. The building was built in the Gothic design and modeled after the Button Tower of the Rouen Cathedral in France, and was unique for its time for its decorative design. Other interesting component of the building, and a popular attraction for visitors is the famous rock collection set into the base surrounding the building. A collection of racks or fragments from famous places from around the world... and beyond, can be found here. See the huge collection of fragments of rock from the Arc de Triomphe, Great Wall of China, the Kremlin, House of Parliament in London, Aztec Ruins, Coliseum, Notre-Dame, World Trade Center, the Alamo, and even the Moon! These features make it truly a building that 'covers the world.' More »

U.S. Cellular Field

Originally named Comiskey Park after the original stadium built here, U.S. Cellular Field is the home of the Chicago White Sox of southside. At one point, old Comiskey park was the oldest ballpark built in 1910 and was the home of the Sox for 81 years before new Comiskey Park was built. Today the oldest ballpark award goes to Fenway field in Boston, and Comiskey's upshore brother, Wrigley Field, comes in as the second oldest. Today U.S. Cellular Field, renamed in 2003, has great amenities and can almost boast on having Chicago's most recent World Series title which the Sox won in 2005. One of the fan-favorites for the city is the inner-city series between the Cubs and the Sox pitching north vs. south. More »

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art

Founded in 1971 by Dr. Achilles Chreptowsky, the Ukranian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) features both rotating collections of art and a permanent exhibit of works by Chicago artists. The 2100 square-foot building usually houses five to six rotating exhibits that spotlight original pieces by artists of Ukrainian descent, film screenings, literary events, and other cultural exhibits. The modern museum is located on the west side of Chicago's Ukrainian Village near Wicker Park, and makes for an interesting stop if you're in the area. More »

Union Station

This Chicago gem is an excellent example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its design was begun by important Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, but unfortunately he died before he construction began and so the job was handled by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, another prominent Chicago architectural firm whose others projects include the Field Museum and the Wrigley Building. Construction started in 1913, but took 12 years to complete, finally opening in 1925. The giant columns, ornate wall decor, and stunning marble floors provide the perfect accompaniment to the space created by the soaring Great Hall, with its 112 foot vaulted glass ceiling. Even if you don't intend to go anywhere on one of the Amtrak or Metra commuter trains that still operate out of Union Station, people watching doesn't get any better than parking on a bench here. More »

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is one of the leading institutions of higher education in certainly the nation and arguably, the world. Founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1890, the university has gone on to produce some of the finest scholars and advancements in modern society. The University has produced some 81 Nobel Prize laureates as well as providing leadership for developments in science and economics in the twentieth century. From the discovery of Carbon-14 dating to the understanding of black holes and white dwarfs, University of Chicago has been the leaders in scientific research. Most notably, the university is indelibly linked to the Manhattan Project of the 1930s and 40s, which was responsible for the development of the atomic bomb. Scenically, University of Chicago is beautiful. Spread out over 211 acres, many buildings were built in the Gothic design and architecturally is breathtaking. More »

Wacker Drive

Wacker Drive is a double-decker street in Chicago that many hail as the precursor to the modern freeway. In 1926, it was constructed at a cost of $8 million at the insistence of Charles Wacker, chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission. It now stands a symbol of Chicago's industry, its engineering might, and innovative spirit. Still a main artery of Chicago's traffic, the bridge has been featured in recent films (e.g. "Batman Begins"), and is lined with impressive high-rises, high-end shopping, and the usual downtown urban attractions. More »

Walnut Room

The Walnut Room is something of a Chicago institution, famous for its classic eats and grand decor. The menu is traditional and hearty, but does include some lighter fare as well. It is popular among working folks and tourists just the same, and its ambiance is enchanting, especially around the holidays when a large Christmas tree dominates the room. It's a great place to eat and talk, but it does get a little busy so if you're pressed for time this can be a tough option to make work. More »

Washington Park Sunken Garden

Washington Park is a beautiful park in Hyde Park popular for its abundant sports and recreational facilities as well as its well-manicured landscapes. It's a picnic haven, but is also the place where post-work softball leagues get cooking in the spring and summer. But don't worry about overcrowding as there are some 370 acres with which to lounge. The DuSable Museum of African American History is housed on the southeastern end of the park and nearby you may also notice a 102-foot long statue called "the Fountain of Time" by Lorado Taft, which depicts Father Time watching over a large gaggle of humans. This is yet another great public space in Chicago. More »

Water Tower Place

This shopping complex is located on Chicago's famous Magnificent Mile and is a popular place to find apparel, housewares, and other related objects. The 758,000 square-foot skyscraper was constructed in 1975 and comprises 74 stories; at the time of construction it was the tallest reinforced concrete structure across the globe. Today, over 100 stores call Water Tower Place home, from large department stores like Macy's to smaller boutiques such as Movado and Lacoste. In addition to housing multiple stores, the mall also holds various events, especially bridal shows, throughout the year. More »

Wicker Park/Bucktown

The Wicker Park District has been a part of Chicago since 1837. Originally an industrial area with many immigrant communities, it suffered an economic depression from 1930 to the 70s. A recent boom has taken over the area, however, converting a once-gritty neighborhood into a much-coveted part of town, filled with nightlife, restaurants, and shops. This is Chicago's best spot for going out, as the eclectic and trendy clubs will provide edgy and endless entertainment. More »

Wrigley Building

The crowning jewel of the "Magnificent Mile," The Wrigley Building is the iconic cornerpiece building of north Michigan Avenue. If Chicago has been the hometown of Wrigley since 1891, then the Wrigley Building must certainly be the heart. Comprised of two towers adjoined by covered walkways, the building is as striking as it is unique. The building was built on a triangular parcel of land in 1920 by Mr. William Wrigley to house the corporate offices of his world famous gum company. Adorned with one of the most spectacular detailing of terra cotta in the world at the time of its completion, the building is a gleaming example of architecture and elegance. The building was designed to look like the incorporation of French Renaissance style and Seville Cathedral’s Giralda Tower in Spain. La piece de la resistance is the elegant clock tower on the south tower which reminds passerbys to check their timepieces while they scuttle along Michigan Avenue. More »

Wrigley Field

Come down to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field to see the Chicago Cubs and the national past time. Built in 1914 for the Chicago Whales of the Federal Baseball League for just $250,000, the Cubs have been here since 1916, and have gone without a World Series championship even longer, since 1908. Even without a title, Cubs fans are notoriously loyal and good-natured, which is perhaps the best part of an afternoon at Wrigley. No matter how the Cubs are playing, you're guaranteed to have a good time. This small stadium has a number of quirks, including the long accepted custom that you must throw back an opponent's home run ball should you nab it. The surrounding area known as Wrigleyville is swimming in bars and restaurants that get particularly crowded before and after ballgames, so beware. Tickets are hard to come by because of the stadium's tiny capacity of just over 40,000, but you might be able to score some at the box office or otherwise through scalpers outside. For any sports fan, this is a pilgrimage worth a bit of extra cash, but no matter your interests, you'll have fun at Wrigley. More »

Zg Gallery

Zg Gallery exhibits contemporary art by national and local emerging artists working in all media, including painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video, and works on paper. The gallery presents approximately nine exhibitions each year, most of which are solo shows focusing on the work of a single artist. The intent of the gallery is to present diverse exhibitions unified by new ideas and executed with fresh approaches. More »

Zolla/Lieberman

If you're looking for all kinds of art from artists in all phases of their careers, this gallery fits the bill. It was the first gallery to open in the River North area--a region of Chicago that is now famous for its art and culture scene. The gallery keeps strong ties with various professional associations and dealers, creating a helpful networking system for budding artists. Highlights of the gallery include works by famous artists such as sculptor Deborah Butterfield and painter Terence LaNoue. More »