Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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make the past come aliv e; surrounding galleries track the dev elopment of local spor ts
teams, architecture, music, and ar t. Although the exhibit is gear ed toward families with
older childr en (y ou can ev en do wnload an mp3 audio tour for teenagers fr om the
museum's website), little ones will love the re-creation of an 1890s El station, where they
can r un inside the city 's first elev ated train. Another museum highlight is the hall of
dioramas that r e-create scenes fr om Chicago's past. Although they 've been ar ound for
decades (and ar e decidedly lo w-tech), they're a fun way to trace the city 's pr ogression
from a fe w small cabins to the grand World's Columbian E xposition of 1893. Another
must-see is the Costume and Textile Gallery, which showcases pieces from the museum's
renowned collection of historical clothing, including M ichael J ordan's basketball uni-
form, dresses made b y 19th-century immigrants, and go wns by French designer Chris-
tian Dior. The Children's Gallery on the gr ound floor has interactiv e exhibits for kids,
including a giant table where you can experience the “Smells of Chicago” (not all pleas-
ant, either!). A dress-up area allows kids to deck themselves out as a real Chicago hot dog
with all the fixings.
The History Museum presents a wide range of lectures, seminars, and tours, including
walking tours of the surrounding neighborhood; check the museum's website for details,
as the schedules change frequently. 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 M on. M on-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm
(until 8pm Thurs); Sun noon-5pm. Research center Tues-Sat 1-4pm; Fri 10am-4:30pm. Bus: 11, 22, 36, 72,
151, or 156.
6
Chicago Public Library/Harold Washington Library Center Ages 2 & up.
This massive red-brick neoclassical edifice—occupying an entire city block at State Street
and Congress Parkway—is the largest public library in the world. The Harold Washing-
ton Library Center is named in memor y of Chicago 's first and only African-American
mayor, who died of a heart attack in 1987 at the beginning of his second term in office.
There's a stunning 52-foot glass-domed winter gar den on the top floor . On the second
floor is another tr easure: the v ast Thomas Hughes Children's Librar y, housing mor e
than 100,000 v olumes, which makes an ex cellent resting spot for families. The library
presents an interesting array of events and art exhibitions worth checking out, and is an
excellent resting spot for families touring the Loop. A 385-seat auditorium is the setting
for a unique mix of dance and music per formances, author talks, and childr en's pr o-
grams, including readings by librarians, puppet sho ws, and visits fr om book characters.
(For example, kids might meet “ Angelina B allerina” and make cr owns with her .) The
library also has a cafe adjacent to the ninth-floor winter gar den, and a coffeehouse and
used-book store on the ground floor. Want to check your e-mail? Stop by the third-floor
Computer Commons, which has about 75 terminals av ailable for public use. Allo w a
half-hour.
400 S. Stat e St. & 312/747-4300. www.chipublib.org. Free admission. M on-Thurs 9am-7pm; F ri-Sat
9am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm. Closed major holidays. Subway/El: Red Line to Jackson/State; Brown Line to Van
Buren/Library. Bus: 2, 6, 11, 29, 36, 62, 145, 146, 147, or 151.
Chicago Water Tower—City Gallery All ages. Along with the pumping station
across the street, the Chicago Water Tower is one of only a handful of buildings to suvive
the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It has long been a revered symbol of the city's resilience
and fortitude, although today—more than 130 y ears after it first r ose to a once-mighty
height of 154 feet—the Water Tower is dwar fed by the high-rise shopping centers and
hotels of N orth Michigan Avenue. The Gothic-style limestone building no w has been
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