Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm. Parking: $19/day weekdays; $23/day weekends. Lots
fill quickly. Bus: 29, 65, 66, 120, or 121. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand/State; trans-
fer to city bus or board a free pier trolley bus.
4 Lincoln Park Attractions
Lincoln Park is the city's largest park, and certainly one of the
longest. Straight and narrow, the park begins at North Avenue and
follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan north for several miles.
Within its 1,200 acres are a world-class zoo, half a dozen beaches, a
botanical conservatory, two excellent museums, a golf course, and
the meadows, formal gardens, sporting fields, and tennis courts typ-
ical of urban parks. To get to the park, take bus no. 22, 145, 146,
147, 151, or 156.
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum at
the southwestern tip of Lincoln Park is one of the city's oldest
cultural institutions (founded in 1856), but it's reinvented itself for
the 21st century. The main, must-see exhibit is
Chicago: Crossroads
of America
, which fills the museum's second floor. A survey of
the city's history—from its founding as a frontier trading post to the
riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention—it's filled with photos,
artifacts, and newsreels that make the past come alive; surrounding
galleries track the development of local sports teams, architecture,
music, and art. Although the exhibit is geared toward families with
older children (you can even download an mp3 audio tour for
teenagers from the museum's website), little ones love the re-creation
of an 1890s El station, where they can run inside the city's first ele-
vated train. Another museum highlight is the hall of dioramas that
re-create scenes from Chicago's past. Although they've been around
for decades (and are decidedly low-tech), they're a fun way to trace
the city's progression from a few small cabins to the grand World's
Columbian Exposition of 1893. The museum's Costume and Textile
Gallery showcases pieces from the museum's renowned collection of
historic clothing. The Children's Gallery on the ground floor has
interactive exhibits for kids, including a giant table where you can
experience the “Smells of Chicago” (my personal favorite). Allow
1 to 2 hours.
1601 N. Clark St. (at North Ave.).
&
312/642-4600.
www.chicagohistory.org.
Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, free for children 12 and under. Free
admission Mon. Mon-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm (until 8pm Thurs); Sun noon-5pm.
Research center Tues-Thurs 1-4pm; Fri 10am-4:30pm. Bus: 11, 22, 36, 72, 151,
or 156.
