A vast city filled with incredible architecture and interesting, if not down-right-unique places and things to see, Chicago is a visual feast. With one of the best transportation systems in the country, you will have more time to see and do, with less hassle. If the weather is nice and you're feeling frisky, we recommend a bicycle ride along Lake Michigan, or down around the Loop. If you didn't bring a bike don't worry, there are many places to rent them. And if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, spend the day shopping the Magnificent Mile. Whatever you decide, Chicago will keep you bouncing. Here are a few of our favorites.
1400-1451 East 55th Street - Here sits two ten-story university apartment buildings on an island in the middle of the street. These magnificent buildings and the townhouses that border them on the north, were designed by I.M. Pei, the architect for the Louvre's glass pyramid.
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Buckingham Fountain - The center piece of Grant park, this magnificent sculpture is patterned after, but twice the size of, the Latona Fountain of Versailles. In the summer months the fountain spurts water up to 165 feet in the air.
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First Unitarian Church - Built in 1931, its Gothic design melds well with the surrounding campus buildings.
5650 S. Woodlawn Ave
773-324-4100
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John G. Shed Aquarium - See trained professional divers hand feed sharks and other undersea reef creatures while they swim with them in a 90,000 gallon tank. There are sea otters, sea anemones, beluga whales, dolphins, harbor seals, penguins and all things from all over the world. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 3-11. Tickets are first come first served. Open 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday; 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
312-939-2438
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Lincoln Park Zoo - More then 35 acres of exciting exhibits including a children's zoo. There are more than 1,200 animals, reptiles, and birds. Admission is free. The park is open in the summer, Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm; weekends 10am to 7pm. Fall through Spring open from 10am till 5pm. Take bus # 151 or 156.
2200 North Cannon Drive
312-742-2000
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Magnificent Mile - North of the Chicago River, on the Magnificent Mile and in the blocks surrounding it, there are a number of museums, parks, and a zoo. And again, there are all those magnificent places to shop.
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Mercury Chicago's Skyline Cruises - Located at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, is a fun and romantic way to see the city and the sunset. The two-hour sunset trip departs -depending on the season and the weather- at 7:30 pm. At 9 pm, the boat stops so you can view the lights of Buckingham Fountain. Price ranges from $10 - $12 for adults, $5 - $7 for children under twelve. Call 312-332-1353.
312-332-1353
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Navy Pier - One of Chicago's most attractive and entertaining sights, this 50 acre pier and waterfront property houses a 15-story Ferris wheel, a carousel, a glass enclosed atrium, as well as the Chicago Children's Museum, 3-D Imax theater, and an ice rink.
600 East Grand Ave.
800-595-PIER
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Public Sculpture - Public sculpture by Picasso and other incredible artists are on display, as you go from the Sears Tower, to the Rookery, and the Chicago Board of Trade, the world's largest commodities, options, and futures exchange.
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The Fountain of Time - Located at the west end of Plaisance, west of Cottage Grove Avenue. It was created in 1922 by Lorado Taft, one of the most distinguished teachers and sculptors of his time.
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Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio - When he was 22 Wright built -and continued to remodel until he left in 1909- a single story shingled cottage for his bride in 1889. This is where he worked and lived. Located at 951 Chicago Avenue, call 708-848-1976 for details. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children 7-18, and seniors. Tours depart from Ginkgo Tree Bookshop, Monday through Friday 11 am till 1 pm. Weekends every fifteen minutes from 11 am till 3:30 pm.
951 Chicago Avenue
708-848-1976
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Frank Lloyd Wright Tours - 25 homes designed and built between 1892 and 1913 by Frank Lloyd Wright during his Prairie School Period, can be found in Oak Park. Another 50 dwellings in this neighborhood and River Forrest can also be explored.
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Adler Planetarium - Founded by Max Adler who imported a Zeiss projector from Germany in 1930, this 12-sided Zodiacal structure occupies Northerly Island along with Meigs Field, a landing strip for small planes. Catch a really close glimpse of the night sky, the moon, the stars, and distant galaxies thanks to a closed-circuit monitor that is connected to the planetarium's Doane Observatory telescope. There are exhibits on space exploration and navigation. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and children 4-17. Sky shows are an additional $3 per person. Open Monday through Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm.
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
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John Crerar Science Library - Witness an amazing and extensive medical and biological collection.
5730 S. Ellis Avenue
773-702-7715
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John Hancock Center Observatory - Feel the wind in your face at 1000 feet standing on a screened in porch that has a most panoramic view of the city and nearby Lake Michigan. Hear the "talking telescopes" narrate what you see in four different languages. Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 875 North Michigan Avenue. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and children 6-17. Open daily 9am to midnight. Easy access take the Subway/EL: Red Line to Chicago/State. Or, Bus # 125, 145, 146, 147, or 151.
875 North Michigan Avenue
888-875-VIEW
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Museum of Science & Industry - 75 exhibition halls with more than 2,000 exhibits spread over 14 acres. There is a five story Omnimax Theater, a United Airlines 727 hanging from the balcony, an AIDS educational exhibit and the new "Idea Factory" where children up to ten years old can get a hands on education of scientific principles. The museum is located at 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive. Call 800-468-6674. Open in the Summer daily from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm; in the Fall until 4pm. Take bus # 6, 10, 55, 151, or 156. Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $2.50 for children 3-11.
800-468-6674
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The Nature Museum - Although relatively small in size this nature oriented museum is the part of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the oldest in Chicago. There is a children's Gallery that has games, and live animals. The museum will be open in late 1998, at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive.
Museum of Contemporary Art - The largest contemporary art museum in the world, the MCA is dedicated to a variety of media, with three floors housing more than 7,000 works from all over the world. Free daily tours are offered, as well as an audio tour narrated by Siskel and Ebert. The M Café overlooks a one acre sculpture garden and a one-of-a-kind gift shop. Cost is $6.50 for adults; $4 for seniors an students with ID. Children are free. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of the month. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 8pm; Weekends from 10am to 6pm. Take Bus # 3, 10, 11, 66, 125, 145, 146, or 151. Subway/EL: Red Line to Chicago State.
220 East Chicago Avenue
312-280-2660
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Oriental Institute Museum - Has one of the world's most extensive collections of Near Eastern art, dating from 9000 B.C. to the 10th century A.D. There is a gift shop, and, occasionally, one day seminars are offered to adults as part of the museums commitment to education. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday form 10 am till 4 pm, Sunday from noon till 4pm, and Wednesday from 10am till 7 pm.
1155 East 58th Street
773-702-9521
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The Fountain of the Great Lakes - On display at the Chicago Art Institute. It was created for the Columbian Exposition of 1893.
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DuSable Museum of African American History - Located on the eastern edge of Washington Park. The museum traces the African-American experience in this country from the WPA period in the late 30s to the black arts movement of the 60s, to the present day. Lectures are given in a 466-seat auditorium. There is a research library, a gift shop, and a program of community-related events. Cost is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and students, $1 for children 6-12. Open Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday from noon to 5pm. Take Bus # 3, 4, or 55. Subway/EL Red Line to 55th or 63rd in Washington Park.
740 East 56th Place
773-947-0600
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The Hemingway Museum - One block south of his boyhood home, this is a great place for an afternoon picnic.
200 N. Oak Park Avenue
708-848-2222
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Spiaggia Restaurant - Incredible Italian-the best in the city.
Elegant surroundings. Has a cafe next door called Cafe Spiaggia-a lower priced sidekick but terrific all the same. Resevations and Coat a must.
980 N. Michigan Ave.
312-280-2750
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A vast city filled with incredible architecture and interesting, if not down-right-unique places and things to see, Chicago is a visual feast. With one of the best transportation systems in the country, you will have more time to see and do, with less hassle. If the weather is nice and you're feeling frisky, we recommend a bicycle ride along Lake Michigan, or down around the Loop. If you didn't bring a bike don't worry, there are many places to rent them. And if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, spend the day shopping the Magnificent Mile. Whatever you decide, Chicago will keep you bouncing. Here are a few of our favorites.
