Chicago, IL

Millennium Park
DESCRIPTION: This imaginative park of art and architecture built over a commuter train station, is a masterpiece of urban design; Wrigley Square and Millennium Park Monument features a full-sized replica of the original peristyle built in this location in 1917; a peristyle consists of a series of columns enclosing a court and tree-lined quiet area to relax and reflect; McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink provides 16,000-square-feet of FREE ice skating November through February, other events populate the rest of the calendar; Park Grill opens early, closes late for fast food and refreshments; the giant Cloudgate, often called the “Bean”, is 66 feet long by 33 feet high and evokes comparisons to objects you’d expect to see in the movie 2001 Space Odyssey; Crown Fountain will steal your kids attention and spare your wallet –they will have so much free fun here its ridiculous; Chase Promenade is often lined with outdoor art and special exhibits; the spectacular Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion features partially covered seating and lawn seating for outdoor concerts; the Welcome Center is located at 201 East Randolph Street
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 6a-11p
ADDRESS: 55 North Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: paid garage underneath premises
TRANSIT: Randolph-Wabash CTA Station, Madison-Wabash CTA Station, Chicago-Randolph Metra Station and buses on Michigan Avenue
PHONE: 312-742-1168
WEBSITE: http://www.millenniumpark.org

Harold Washington Library
DESCRIPTION: America’s largest central library is a befitting monument to the late (1922-1987) Mayor Harold Washington; born in Chicago, Harold was a scholar athlete who frequented the Chicago Public Library before graduating from DuSable High School; he became a sergeant during WWII; got a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University and a law degree from Northwestern University; in 1982 he became the first African American elected mayor of Chicago; tragically, he died of a heart attack while in office; Harold’s personal effects and memorabilia are featured, as well as a notable Jubilee Showcase Gospel Music Video Collection of more than 100 programs
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily, call for hours
ADDRESS: 400 South State Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots and garages nearby
TRANSIT: Library CTA Station
PHONE: 312-747-4300
WEBSITE: http://www.chipublib.org/001hwlc/001hwlc.html

Sears Tower Skydeck
DESCRIPTION: After 1974 and until recently, this skyscraper has been the world's tallest building and it has an incredible 100 elevators; take one to the 103rd floor for a spectacular view of the city and region; the experience is best enjoyed at non-peak hours after 4p
ADMISSION: Adults $9.50, 3-11 $6.75, Children under 3 FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily May-September 10a-10p, Oct-Apr 10a-8p
ADDRESS: 233 South Wacker Drive  MAP
PARKING: paid garages nearby
TRANSIT: Quncy-Wells CTA Station and Chicago-LaSalle Metra Station
PHONE: 312-875-9696
WEBSITE: http://www.the-skydeck.com

John Hancock Observatory
DESCRIPTION: Located in the architecturally robust John Hancock Center, newly renovated and still meeting elevated expectations; views span up to 80 miles and 4 states so bring your zoom lens cameras and camcorders; tripods are NOT permitted in the observatory; when shooting at night, set your camera exposure to 800 ASA or higher for less motion blur
ADMISSION: Adults $9.50, Ages 62+ $7.50, Ages 5-12 $6, Age 4 & under FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-11p with last ticket sold at 10:45p
ADDRESS: 875 North Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: paid garages on premises
TRANSIT: Chicago-Red CTA Station; walk 3 blocks east, then 2 blocks north
PHONE: 312-751-3681
WEBSITE: http://www.hancock-observatory.com

Riverwalk Gateway
DESCRIPTION: Public art tells the history of Chicago and its river in a 336-foot long wall of sixteen narrative panels; available for viewing year-round
DAYS & HOURS: daily dawn to dusk
ADMISSION: free
ADDRESS: 400 East Wacker Drive at the Chicago River bank  MAP
PARKING: paid garage nearby
TRANSIT: Randolph-Wabash CTA Station and Chicago-Randolph Metra Station

Chicago Board of Trade
DESCRIPTION: This monument to futures inve4stments was founded in 1848 to stabilize grain prices; built in 1930, this art deco structure features fine architectural details that are most evident up close; the top is crowned with Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grain; take the 30-minute tour view this exciting trading floor where the price of your grits and bacon are likely determined; don't be alarmed by the high security measures which are required here for your safety; this building appeared in both the Batman, "Dark Knight" movie
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-2p
ADDRESS: 141 West Jackson Blvd  MAP
PARKING: paid garages nearby
TRANSIT: Quncy-Wells CTA Station, LaSalle-Van Buren CTA Station, and Chicago-LaSalle Metra Station
PHONE: 312-435-3590
WEBSITE: http://www.cbot.com

House of Blues
DESCRIPTION: HOB stays on the cutting edge of upbeat urban entertainment by featuring a heavy dose of blues, rap, and R&B concerts—but not exclusively those genre, so call ahead for the calendar of events; and oh, remember those delicious Sunday Gospel Brunches; this is a smoke-free restaurant and NO cameras are permitted in the venue
ADMISSION: $10-$12 cover charge for music at 10pm ; free entry when you come for
lunch or dinner; Gospel Brunch tickets and Concert tickets can be purchased at HOB Box Office
DAYS & HOURS: daily for lunch & dinner; concerts start at 7p
ADDRESS: 329 North Dearborn Street  MAP
PARKING: paid garages on premises & nearby
TRANSIT: Clark-Lake CTA Subway & Elevated Stations
PHONE: 312-923-2000
WEBSITE: http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago

Hard Rock Café
DESCRIPTION: Check of a sample of the 70,000 guitars, drums, pianos, harmonicas, microphones, shirts, pants, scarves, shoes, handwritten lyrics, cars, bikes, a bus and assorted rock memorabilia that exist in the Hard Rock Cafes around the world; get a burger and your own memorabilia in the gift shop
ADMISSION: free entry, but you pay for $10-18 for entrees
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 11a-11p, Fri-Sat 11a-12p
ADDRESS: 63 West Ontario Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: Grand-Red CTA Station
PHONE:
 312-943-2252
WEBSITE: http://www.hardrock.com/locations

Rainforest Café
DESCRIPTION: A theme restaurant that surrounds you with the sights and sounds of tropical rainforest jungle with lush foliage hanging from the ceiling and tropical fish darting around in floor-to-ceiling aquarium tanks; the drinks have fancy themes and  making it a good choice for general entertainment and family dining
ADMISSION: free entry, but you pay $9-17 for entrees
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 11a-9:30p, Fri 11a-10:30p, Sat 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 605 North Clark Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
TRANSIT: Grand-Red CTA Station
PHONE:
 312-787-1501
WEBSITE: http://www.rainforestcafe.com