ATTRACTIONS
 The Spirit of Chicago
Tel: 866-211-3804
600 E Grand Avenue
This luxury yacht offers a variety of wining-and-dining harbor cruises, from a lunch buffet to the "Moonlight Dance Party." This can be a fairly pricey night out if you go for the dinner package.
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
Tel: 312-922-STAR
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr
The building may be historic, but some of the attractions here will captivate the most jaded video-game addict. The first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere was founded by Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive Max Adler, who imported a Zeiss projector from Germany in 1930.
Art Institute of Chicago
Tel: 312-443-3600
111 S. Michigan Ave
You can't -- and shouldn't -- miss the Art Institute. (You really have no excuse, since it's conveniently located right on Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown.) No matter what medium or century interests you, the Art Institute has something in its collection to fit the bill. Japanese ukiyo-e prints, ancient Egyptian bronzes, Greek vases, 19th-century British photography, masterpieces by most of the greatest names in 20th-century sculpture, and modern American textiles are just some of the works on display, but for a general overview of the museum's collection, take the free "Highlights of the Art Institute" tour, offered at 2pm on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
 Field Museum of Natural History
Tel: 312-922-9410
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
Is it any wonder that Steven Spielberg thought the Field Museum of Natural History was a suitable home turf for the intrepid archaeologist and adventurer hero of his Indiana Jones movies? Spread over the museum's 9 acres of floor space are scores of permanent and temporary exhibitions -- some interactive but most requiring the old-fashion skills of observation and imagination.
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Tel: 312-939-2438
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr
The Shedd is one of the world's largest indoor aquarium, and houses thousands of river, lake, and sea denizens in standard aquarium tanks and elaborate new habitats within its octagon-shaped marble building. The only problem with the Shedd is its steep admission price ($23 for adults). You can keep your costs down by buying the "Aquarium Only" admission, but you'll miss some of the most stunning exhibits. A CityPass can also save you money if you visit enough of the other included attractions.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Tel: 312-742-2000
2200 N. Cannon Dr
One of the city's treasures, this family-friendly attraction is not only open 365 days a year, it's also free. Even if you don't have time for a complete tour of the various habitats, it's worth at least a quick stop during a stroll through Lincoln Park.
McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum
Tel: 312-222-4860
445 N. Michigan Ave
As you might guess from the name, the Chicago Tribune newspaper is the guiding force behind this celebration of the First Amendment. Thankfully, though, this is no corporate-PR stunt, but rather a thought-provoking overview of how freedom of speech impacts our daily life.
Museum of Science and Industry
Tel: 800-468-6674 outside the Chicago area
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
Even if you don't plan on spending the day in Hyde Park, you'll pass through the neighborhood on your way to one of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions. The massive Museum of Science and Industry is the granddaddy of interactive museums, with some 2,000 exhibits. Schedule at least 3 hours here; a comprehensive visit can take all day, especially if you catch an OMNIMAX movie.
 Navy Pier
Tel: 800-595-PIER (outside 312 area code)
600 E. Grand Ave
Built during World War I, this 3,000-foot-long pier was a Navy training center for pilots during World War II. The military aura is long gone and replaced with a combination of carnival attractions, a food court, and boat dock, making it a bustling tourist Mecca and a place for a fun stroll (if you don't mind the crowds). To get the best views back to the city, walk all the way down to the end.
Willis Tower Skydeck (Formerly known as Sears Tower)
Tel: 312-875-9696
233 S. Wacker Dr
You’ll see the best view and best overview of Chicago. At 1,353 feet (412 meters), the Skydeck is the highest observatory in Chicago. The view is amazing! You can see 40 – 50 miles (65 - 80 kilometers) on a clear day. Imagine seeing Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, just by walking around the Skydeck. And there’s no finer view of Chicago architecture.
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