American Indian Center
1630 W. Wilson Ave., (773) 275-5871. Hosts an annual pow-wow and other Native American events.
Buckingham Fountain
Grant Park, Congress Parkway and Lake Shore Drive. The fountain features a water show daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., with major water displays every 20 minutes, and a spectacular display with lights and music every evening beginning at dusk, through October. (312) 742-PLAY.
Chicago Board of Trade
141 W. Jackson Blvd. The world's first (and largest) commodities exchange. (312) 435-3590.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The city's old central library, with its intricate mosaics, is now home to art exhibitions, concerts, performances, lectures and more. (312) 744-6630, (312) FINE-ART (24-hour hotline), TTY (312) 744-2947.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
20 S. Wacker Dr. Traders hedge their bets—or lose their shirts—in futures. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (312) 930-1000.
Daley Plaza
Washington and Dearborn streets, home to "the Picasso," site of political protests, farmers' markets and daily "Under the Picasso" cultural events, weekdays at noon. (312) 346-3278, TTY (312) 744-2947.
Goethe-Institute Chicago
150 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 263-0472. Offers German language classes, hosts German literary readings and film screenings.
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St., open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Central library features a top floor Wintergarden and many special programs daily. Free. (312) 747-4300.
John Hancock Center
Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave., open daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. See the city from the renovated observatory on the 94th floor. Multi-media display, educational programs, outdoor skywalk. $9.75 adults, $7.50 seniors age 62 and over, $6 ages 5-12, free for children under 5; plus tax. Parking available in garage,
(312)751-3681.
Irish-American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Ave., (773) 282-7035. Holds an annual Irish-American Heritage Festival, and hosts musical and cultural events weekly.
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2400 N. Stockton Dr., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Free. Greenhouse with a lush variety of plants, seasonal flower shows and outdoor gardens. (312) 742-7736, TTY (312) 935-3718.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Dr., grounds open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., buildings open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Features the Farm in the Zoo, a favorite place for kids to see and pet animals. Free. Parking on Cannon Dr. costs $12. (312) 742-2000.
Marshall Field's
111 N. State St., daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The city's oldest department store, founded in 1868, is also home to the world's largest unbroken Tiffany glass mosaic. (312) 781-1000.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave., museums, mini-golf, music, restaurants, Shakespeare and an IMAX theater. (312) 595-PIER.
New Maxwell Street Market
Sundays 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Canal St. at Roosevelt Rd. More than 500 vendors provide a taste of Chicago's bustling Maxwell St. in a new location.
(312) 922-3100.
Sears Tower Skydeck Observatory
233 S. Wacker Dr., entrance on Jackson Blvd. between Wacker Dr. and Franklin St., open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May through Sept. The city's highest view, from the 103rd floor observatory. $9.50 adults, $7.75 seniors age 65 and over, $6.75 ages 3-11, free for children under 3; plus tax.
(312) 875-9696.
Water Tower and Pumping Station
806 N. Michigan Ave. Built in 1867, the only downtown building to survive the Great Fire of 1871. The Water Tower now houses the City Gallery, which displays Chicago-themed photographs. Free admission. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (312) 742-0808. TTY (312) 744-2947. A tourist office and visitor information center can be found in the pumping station across the street at 163 E. Pearson, (312) 744-8783.
Wrigley Field
1060 W. Addison St. One of the nation's oldest surviving baseball stadiums is home to the beloved Chicago Cubs. Ninety-minute tours of Wrigley Field are offered June 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, 25; July 8, 9, 22, 23; Aug. 5, 6, 19, 20; Sept. 9, 10, 30; and Oct. 1. Tour tickets are $20, and advance reservations are required. (773) 404-2827. |
