Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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a searchable database with pictur es and information on many of Chicago 's best-known
skyscrapers. “Architecture ambassadors” are on hand to provide information on tours run
by the foundation (see “Chicago Ar chitecture Foundation Tours,” p. 202). Two galleries
feature changing exhibits about ongoing Chicago design pr ojects—so you can see first-
hand how local architecture continues to evolve. There's also an excellent gift shop filled
with ar chitecture-focused topics, decorativ e accessories, and gifts. Allo w a half-hour ,
more if you want to browse in the store.
224 S. Michigan Ave. & 312/922-3432. www.architecture.org. Free admission. Exhibits Mon-Sat 9:30am-
4pm. Shop and t our desk M on-Sat 9am-6:30pm; Sun 9am-6pm. Sub way/El: Brown, Green, Orange, or
Purple Line to Adams; Red Line to Jackson. Bus: 3, 4, 145, 147, or 151.
Chicago Cultural Center Finds Ages 3 & up. F ree family pr ograms ar e the
main attraction of this landmar k building, built in 1897 as the city 's public librar y and
transformed into a showplace for visual and performing arts in 1991. Its basic Beaux Arts
exterior conceals a sumptuous interior of rar e marble, fine hardwood, stained glass, pol-
ished brass, and mosaics of F avrile glass, color ed stone, and mother-of-pearl inlaid in
white marble. The crowning centerpiece is Preston Bradley Hall's majestic Tiffany dome,
said to be the largest of its kind in the world.
The building also houses one of the Chicago Office of Tourism's visitor centers, which
makes it a good place to kick-start your visit. If you stop in to pick up tourist information
and take a quick look ar ound, y our visit won 't take longer than 15 minutes, but the
Cultural Center also hosts an array of art exhibitions, concerts, films, lectures, and other
special events (many free), which might convince you to extend your time here. Programs
might include African drumming, a recital by a mezzo-soprano from the Lyric Opera, or
readings by Chicago playwrights. A long-standing tradition is the 12:15pm D ame Myra
Hess Memorial classical concert every Wednesday in the Preston Bradley Hall.
Guided architectural tours of the Cultural Center are offered Wednesday, Friday, and
Saturday at 1:15pm. For information, call & 312/744-8032.
78 E. Washington St. & 312/744-6630, or 312/FINE-ART (346-3278) for weekly events. www.cityofchicago.
org/exploringchicago. F ree admission. M on-Thurs 10am-7pm; F ri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun
11am-5pm. Closed major holida ys. Subway/El: Brown, Green, Orange, or Purple Line to Randolph; Red
Line to Washington/State. Bus: 3, 4, 20, 56, 60, 145, 146, 147, 151, or 157.
6
Chicago Fed Money Museum It's not wor th a special trip (unless y ou're a huge
monetary-policy geek), but the Visitors Center at the F ederal Reserve Bank of Chicago
can make for a surprisingly kid-friendly stop if y ou're touring the Loop 's other attrac-
tions. Offering more than just the standar d history-of-banking exhibits, the center has
kid-friendly features such as a giant cube that holds a million dollars, and an exhibit that
lets kids try to detect counterfeit bills. And, yes, there's even a section where visitors can
learn how changes in interest rates affect the economy. Free guided tours are given week-
days at 1pm. Allow a half-hour.
230 S. LaSalle St. (at Quincy St.). & 312/322-2400. www.chicagofed.org. Free admission. Mon-Fri 9am-
4pm. Closed Federal holidays. Subway/El: Brown Line to Quincy/Wells. Bus: 134, 135, or 156.
Chicago History Museum Ages 3 & up. The Chicago History Museum, located
at the southw estern tip of Lincoln P ark, is one of the city 's oldest cultural institutions
(founded in 1856), but it 's reinvented itself for the 21st centur y. 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 fr ontier trading post to the riots at
the 1968 D emocratic Convention—it's filled with photos, ar tifacts, and ne wsreels that
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