Illinois

The downtown Loop is a living museum of beautiful and significant buildings. Two great periods of innovation mark Chicago's architecture. The first followed...more

It takes several days to navigate this superb museum housing some 260,000 artworks—including some of the world's most famous masterpieces: Georges...more

Chicago has 22 miles of lakefront bike paths. Rent a set of wheels (for about $10 per hour) at Bike Chicago (five locations including Navy Pier and North...more

Lions and tigers and bears are the main attraction at this huge natural history museum, filled with interactive exhibits about planet Earth. Highlights include...more

Occupying a beautifully landscaped strip of park in between the perfectly manicured streets of tony Lincoln Park and the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan,...more

This 24.5-acre park, built on top of a former rail yard beside the Art Institute, is a welcome oasis downtown. Although the focal point is Frank Gehry's...more

The MCA recently reasserted its position as one of the country's leading contemporary art museums with a highlights show that trotted out permanent-collection...more

Tour a captured U-505 German Sub, take a trip into a coal mine, walk through a model of the human heart, or watch genetically engineered chicks hatch at this...more

Designed by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, this 1,353-foot landmark tower is the third tallest in the world (though Chicagoans, who...more

Encased in a handsome marble octagon overlooking the Lake, the Shedd is the world's largest indoor aquarium. If it's been a while since you've ogled aquatic...more