Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
connected habitats that house a Philippine coral reef patrolled by
sharks and other predators. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring the
toothy swimmers up close and personal (they even swim over your
head at certain spots). Allow 2 to 3 hours.
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
&
312/939-2438.
www.sheddaquarium.org. All-Access Pass
(to all exhibits) $23 adults, $16 seniors and children 3-11, free for children 2 and
under; admission to aquarium and Wild Reef $18 adults, $14 seniors and children;
aquarium only $8 adults, $6 seniors and children. Free admission to aquarium only
Mon-Tues Oct-Nov and Jan-Feb. Memorial Day-Labor Day daily 9am-6pm; early
Sept-late May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Bus: 6 or 146.
3 North of the Loop: The Magnificent Mile &
Beyond
Most of these sights are either on the Magnificent Mile (North
Michigan Ave.) and its surrounding blocks or close by on the Near
North Side.
The Hancock Observatory
The Hancock isn't as famous as
the Sears Tower, but for many locals, its bold tapered shape and steel
cross-bracing exterior design represent the archetypal Chicago sky-
scraper. The Hancock Observatory delivers an excellent panorama of
the city and an intimate view of nearby Lake Michigan and various
shoreline residential areas. While the view from the top of Chicago's
third-tallest building is enough to satisfy, high-tech additions have
enhanced the experience. “Talking telescopes” have sound effects
and narration in four languages, history walls illustrate the growth of
the city, and the Skywalk open-air viewing deck allows visitors to feel
the rush of the wind at 1,000 feet through a “screened porch.” On a
clear day, you can see portions of the three states surrounding this
corner of Illinois (Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin), for a radius of
40 to 50 miles.
94th floor, John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave. (enter on Delaware St.).
&
888/875-VIEW
or 312/751-3681. www.hancock-observatory.com. Admission
$11 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under. Daily 9am-
11pm. Bus: 145, 146, 147, or 151. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Although the MCA is one
of the largest contemporary art museums in the country, theaters
and hallways seem to take up much of the space, so seeing the actual
art won't take you long. The museum exhibits emphasize experi-
mentation in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, pho-
tography, video and film, dance, music, and performance. The
gloomy, imposing building, designed by Berlin's Josef Paul Kleihues,
is a bit out of place between the lake and the historic Water Tower,
