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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.
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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.
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A. Philip Randolph/Pullman Porter Museum Gallery
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Janet Sartin
This famous skincare institute is located in downtown Chicago and offers luxurious treatments, from exfoliation to electrolysis to foot reflexology. In addition to skincare products and treatments, the institute also offers massage, makeup consultations, and other pampering options. If you're getting tired of wandering the streets of Chicago and lounging on the city's beaches, stop by Janet Sartin and your skin will thank you.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Marina City and IBM Building
While the austere IBM 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.
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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.
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Marshall Field's and Company Building
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 go