Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with roller babes and saw an iron lung. Chicago has a fine collection of unusual
sights and activities to supplement its standard attractions.
International Museum of Surgical Science
( 312-642-6502;
www.imss.org
; 1524 N
Lake Shore Dr; adult/child $15/7, Tue free; 10am-4pm Tue-Fri, to 5pm Sat & Sun; 151)
Amputation saws, cadaver murals and a fine collection of 'stones' (as in kidney
stones and gallstones) are among the offerings at this eerie museum. The antique
hemorrhoid surgery toolkit serves as a reminder to eat lots of fiber. It's set in an old
Gold Coast mansion, about a mile north of the Water Tower area.
tickets $20; Blue Line to Racine)
The bang-'em-up sport of roller derby was born in
Chicago in 1935, and the battlin' babes here will show you how it's played, bruises
and all. Matches take place monthly at UIC Pavilion, west of the Loop.
Leather Archives & Museum
( 773-761-9200;
www.leatherarchives.org
;
6418 N Green-
view Ave; admission $10; 11am-7pm Thu & Fri, to 5pm Sat & Sun; 22)
The kinky mu-
seum holds all sorts of fetish and S&M exhibits, from the Red Spanking Bench to
info on famous foot fetishists. It's 8 miles north of the Loop, and 1.5 miles north of
Andersonville.
Chic-A-Go-Go
(
www.roctober.com/chicagogo
)
The cable access show's live dance
audience isn't just kids: adults, too, can shake it on the dance floor with Miss Mia
and Ratso.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has been the address of Chicago's wealthiest residents for more than 125
years.
John Hancock Center
ARCHITECTURE
( 888-875-8439;
www.jhochicago.com
;
875 N Michigan Ave; adult/child $18/12; 9am-11pm;
Red Line to Chicago)
Get high in Chicago's third-tallest skyscraper. In many ways the
view here surpasses the one at Willis Tower. Ascend to the 94th-floor observatory for the
'skywalk' (a screened-in porch that lets you feel the wind) and informative displays
about the surrounding buildings. Or bypass the education and head up to the 96th-floor
Signature Lounge, where the view is free if you buy a drink.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MUSEUM
