Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
regional artists. Related lectures and special programs are scheduled during the
year. Allow 1 hour.
600 S. Michigan Ave.
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312/344-7104.
www.mocp.org. Free admission. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (Tues until
8pm); Sat noon-5pm. Bus: 6, 146, or 151. Subway/El: Red Line to Harrison.
Spertus Museum
The Spertus Museum, an extension of the Spertus Insti-
tute of Jewish Studies, showcases intricately crafted and historic Jewish ceremo-
nial objects, textiles, coins, paintings, and sculpture, tracing 5,000 years of
Jewish heritage. Though small in scale, the Zell Holocaust Memorial exhibit is
particularly moving, featuring a video montage of Holocaust victims with a
Chicago connection and a display of related artifacts and documents. The kid-
oriented Artifact Center is a re-creation of a Middle Eastern archaeological dig,
where children can search for buried treasures (reserved for school groups in the
mornings, it's open to the public in the afternoon). The institute's Asher Library
boasts one of the largest collections of Jewish books, periodicals, videos, and
music in the country. The Bariff Shop for Judaica carries a large selection of art,
books, music, videos, and contemporary and traditional Jewish ceremonial gifts.
Allow 1 hour.
618 S. Michigan Ave.
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312/322-1747.
www.spertus.edu. Admission $5 adults; $3 seniors, students, and
children; $10 maximum family rate. Free admission Fri. Sun-Wed 10am-5pm; Thurs 10am-7pm; Fri
10am-3pm. Bus: 3, 4, 6, 145, 147, or 151. Subway/El: Red Line to Harrison, or Brown, Purple, Orange, or Green
line to Adams. Validated parking in nearby lots.
ELSEWHERE IN THE LOOP
Chicago Fed Visitors Center
It's not worth a special trip (unless you're a
huge Alan Greenspan fan), but the Visitors Center at the Federal Reserve Bank
of Chicago is worth a quick stop if you're wandering around the Loop. More
than just the standard history-of-banking displays, the center has kid-friendly
features such as a giant cube that holds a million dollars, and an exhibit that lets
you try detecting counterfeit bills. And yes, there's even a section where visitors
can pretend to be Alan Greenspan for a moment, showing how changes in inter-
est rates affect the economy. Free guided tours are offered weekdays at 1pm.
Allow a half-hour.
230 S. LaSalle St. (at Quincy St.).
&
312/322-2400.
www.chicagofed.org. Free admission. Mon-Fri 9am-
4:15pm, except Federal holidays. Bus: 134, 135, 136, 156. Subway/El: Brown Line to Quincy/Wells.
Chicago Public Library/Harold Washington Library Center
A massive,
hulking building that looks like an Italian Renaissance fortress, the main public
library for the city of Chicago is the largest public library in the world. Named for
the city's first and only African-American mayor, who died of a heart attack in
1987 at the beginning of his second term in office, the building fills an entire city
block at State Street and Congress Parkway. The interior design has been criticized
for feeling cold (you have to go up a few floors before you even see any books),
but the stunning 52-foot glass-domed winter garden on the top floor is worth a
visit. On the second floor is another treasure: the vast Thomas Hughes Children's
Library, which makes an excellent resting spot for families traveling with kids. The
library also offers an interesting array of events and art exhibitions worth checking
out. A 385-seat auditorium is the setting for a unique mix of dance and music per-
formances, author talks, and children's programs. Allow a half-hour.
400 S. State St.
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312/747-4300.
www.chipublib.org. Free admission. Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri-Sat
9am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm. Closed holidays. Bus: 2, 6, 11, 29, 36, 62, 145, 146, 147, or 151. Subway/El: Red Line
to Jackson/State, or Brown Line to Van Buren/Library.
