Filled with upscale shopping, famous sites and popular restaurants, Chicago is a busy city located in the northern area of Illinois. You can stroll along the paved walking paths of Millennium Park,relax on one of the 29 public beaches or take in a comedy show at Second City; whatever your interests, you will find something to do in the Windy City.
Museums
The city's main museums include the Field Museum of Natural History, the Art Institute and the Museum of Science and Industry. But there are a host of smaller museums that are no less interesting but often less crowded. For example, the Chicago History Museum, which opened in 1860 and was renovated in 2006, has interactive activities for children and adults interested in learning how Chicago became the busy city it is. You can learn about Abraham Lincoln, the state's first president, but you also can learn what goes into a Chicago hot dog. The museum's restaurant, North and Clark Cafe, offers classic Chicago dishes. The museum is located on Clark Street, in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Zoos
Situated just north of downtown Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the last zoos in the world to offer free admission. Popular exhibits at the zoo include the Kovler Lion House, the Regenstein Center for African Apes and the Farm-in-the-Zoo. Children can ride on the zoo's train or the 48-animal carousal. The park is open year-round.
Gardens
There are many beautiful public gardens in the city, including the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. The lily pool, which is located in Lincoln Park and is a National Historic Landmark, was designed in 1938 by Alfred Caldwell and consists of aquatic foliage, wildflowers and a variety of plants. The 2.5-acre area offers bird-watching areas and walking paths. The Chicago Park District gives free walking tours on the weekends from May through October. Restored in 2001, the Chicago Park District and Lincoln Park Conservancy maintain the garden.
Planetarium
Chicago businessman Max Adler founded the first planetarium in the United States in Chicago in 1930. The nine exhibits in the Adler Planetarium range from the Our Solar System Exhibit, which discusses planets, asteroids and moons, to the Interactive Space Visualization Laboratory, where guests can learn about new space projects and discuss topics with expert scientists. There are educational programs throughout the year, including interactive workshops and opportunities to view space through the museum's telescopes.
Beaches
One of the more popular beaches in Chicago, the Oak Street Beach is in downtown Chicago. The beach has designated volleyball areas, paved walkways for joggers and roller skaters,and bike paths.With its deep swimming water, the Oak Street Beach is a popular area for divers and triathletes. The beach is open from May through Labor Day. There is no admission to the beach, and lifeguards are on duty during designated times.
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