Architecture, Etc.

The Sears Tower: What's over 1000 feet up in the air and can see 40 miles in every direction? --You, when you're visiting the Sears Tower! At 110 stories, the Sears Tower has the highest occupied floor and the highest roof of any building in the world. The spires on top make it a total of 1,454 feet tall. As you are walking around Chicago, the closer you get to the Sears Tower, the harder it will be to crane your neck back far enough even to see the top. The architectural idea behind it is fascinating; its design consists of nine vertical columns banded together horizontally, like a bundle of sticks. To minimize what will likely be a long wait, go early in the morning, and in a season other than summer. You can also buy tickets in advance to cut out part of your wait -- go to www.sears-tower.com for more information. (Admission $9.50, with discounts for children and seniors. Open 10 AM to 10 PM May through September; 10 AM to 8 PM October through April.)

 

The John Hancock Center: The third-tallest building in Chicago is the perfect place to get an aerial view of the city's first-tallest building. The views of the rest of the city are also fantastic, as a result of the John Hancock building's perfect location. Its screened outdoor viewing area also presents the pleasant possibility of being outside and 94 floors above the city streets. (Trip to the Skydeck costs $9.75, with discounts for children and seniors. Open 9 AM to 11 PM.)

 

The Harold G. Washington Library: This is the largest public library in the world, and probably one of the nicest to visit. It covers an entire city block, is 9 stories tall, and contains almost 2 million books. Its hushed marble spaces make for a quiet retreat from the frenetic pace of the rest of the city. Most charming is the top floor's Winter Garden, with its lovely cafe tables, sky lighting, and flowering plants. It's the best place to feel like you're outside on a summer day when actually you are inside on a below-freezing, blustery winter one. (Open Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM; Friday and Saturday 9 to 5; Sunday 1 to 5 PM.)

 

Navy Pier: The 150-foot Ferris wheel and other rides, Crystal Garden fountains, and junk food galore make the Navy Pier an extremely popular spot for families. There is also an IMAX theater and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which regularly receives great reviews.

 

The Parks: Grant Park and Lincoln Park are the two you shouldn't miss -- unless, of course, your visit to Chicago experiences the kind of weather the city's famous for. Grant Park separates the Loop area from Lake Michigan, and its green spaces extend from the Chicago River down to the Museum Campus. Grant Park highlights include Buckingham Fountain, the Rose Garden, and the 1.5 acre Wildflower Works, in which grows an ever-changing array of native Illinois wildflowers, from April through October. Lincoln Park is also along the waterfront, and begins north of Gold Coast. It stretches about six miles, and has several beaches. At the south end of Lincoln Park is the Lincoln Park Zoo, a free zoo with about 1,600 animals. (Zoo open 9 to 5 daily). The Lincoln Park Conservatory is also a great place to visit -- it is basically an indoor botanical garden, with tropical plants aplenty. (Admission free. Conservatory open 9 to 5 daily.)