Exploring Chicago's Neighborhoods Weekend

Chicago is a major metropolis located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois. It’s the third-largest city and metropolitan area in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles.

Progress and modernization rule in Chicago. The old Chicago with its smoke-spewing factories and quarreling politicians—not to mention machine gun-wielding gangsters—is mostly gone, having given way to a new Chicago. From the sternly classical to the space age, from the Gothic to the coolly modern, Chicago is a place with an embarrassment of architectural riches. Modern architecture was born here. Frank Lloyd Wright fans will swoon to see his earliest buildings here, where he began his professional career.

Chicago’s museums and cultural institutions are among the best in the world. Three of them are located within a short walk of each other in the Near South, on what is known as the museum campus, in a beautiful spot along the lake: the Adler Planetarium, with cool hands-on space exhibits and astronomy shows; the Field Museum; and the Shedd Aquarium, with the best collection of marine life east of California. A short distance away, on the South Chicago Shore, is the most fun of them all, the Museum of Science and Industry—or, as generations of Chicago-area grade school students know it, the best field trip ever.

In the Loop, the Art Institute of Chicago has a handful of iconic household names among an unrivaled collection of Impressionism, modern and classical art, and tons of historical artifacts. And in Lincoln Park, a short trip from the Loop, the cheerful (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes visitors every day of the week.

Millennium Park is one of the newest additions to Chicago's many wide-open urban spaces, and is host to a range of indoor/outdoor activities for the entire family. You can listen to top musical events at the outdoor pavilion, or glide across the bustling ice skating rink come winter. The park is also home to some of the city's best public art, such as the interactive Crown Fountain, and the scene-stealing Cloud Gate—a mirrored sculpture situated in the middle of the plaza. For a scenic walk, take a stroll through the Lurie Garden, or wind your way along Frank Gehry's BP Bridge. For a bit of the park's history, be sure to take a peek at the Peristyle, a replica of the curving row of paired Greek columns that were on the corner of Grant Park near Michigan and Randolph from 1917 to 1953. While in the park one cannot afford to miss the Cloud Gate Sculpture, a three storied structure built with 110 tons of steel. It is called the Bean Sculpture by the residents.

This 120 feet tall location is home to some of the largest and most well-known musical performances in United States, accomodating approximately 11,000 people at a time. Named in the fond memory of businessman Jay Pritzker, this pavilion hosts a number of rock as well as classical concerts. Latest state-of-the-art sound system adds to the experience. The Pavilion also organizes annual prestigious shows like the Grant Park Music Festival. Admission to most events is free.

Oprah Winfrey, the queen of talk shows in the United States, heads Harpo Studios. Her world-famous and critically acclaimed talk show, Oprah, is recorded here daily. A legend in her own right, Oprah has made America and the world talk about issues that are often swept under the carpet. The show features pertinent issues, celebrities and even live entertainment. Known to be a generous host, it is no longer a surprise if the audience walks away with gifts that include cars, gift hampers, and vacation packages. The tickets for the show are for free but the waiting lines are endless. There is free, limited audience seating.

Slide into this mod, casual eatery to experience a mix of flavors from three continents. Contemporary American dishes peek through a plethora of Mediterranean specialties seasoned with Asian flavors. Though experimental, the food is fresh and tasty. Relax in a comfortable environment, as you sip on a drink from any of the 130 bottles in the cellar. Succulent appetizers include soups, breads and a lavish cheese selection. Entrees like Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Sauteed Halibut tickle the prize. Ask for Skordalia-Garlic Mashed Potatoes on the side and finish with a divine Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingered Strawberries — truly a memorable dining experience!

The James Chicago is located one mile from downtown Chicago, 14 miles from Chicago Midway Airport, and 18 miles from O'Hare International Airport. Local attractions include the Sears Tower, approximately one and one-half miles away, and the Magnificent Mile, located a few blocks from the property.Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, tour assistance, fitness center, spa, and massages.Guest rooms feature plasma TVs, movies on-demand, stereos with mp3 player compatibility, toiletries, free wireless Internet access, bathrobes and slippers, climate control, and newspapers.

Representing the spirit of American shopping, this well-known stretch of Michigan Avenue has something for everyone in hundreds of trendy stores, one-of-a-kind galleries, Chicago souvenir shops and mouth-watering bakeries and cafes selling anything and everything. During the holiday season, check out the decorations that make the mile look even more magnificent. Hard-core shoppers will want to start at the north end, a cluster of three malls: Chicago Place Mall, Water Tower Place and the 900 North Michigan Shops. Store hours vary.

"The city is our museum," claims this historic museum. The CAF highlights Chicago's diverse architecture and design through a multitude of lectures, exhibits and educational programs. For a hands-on experience, take the Loop Walking Tour—a two-hour daily tour that explores the national landmarks downtown. The CAF Architecture River Cruise offers a river's eye view of the city and highlights more than 50 historic sites along the Chicago River. Reservations are suggested. Gallery admission is free.

Located in Lincoln Square, Bistro Campagne serves classic bistro fare in a charming natural setting. In the spirit of its name (Campagne meaning countryside), the seating areas include the main dining room with "prairie-inspired" decor and a beautifully landscaped outdoor patio where diners can enjoy their entrées while taking in the peaceful atmosphere. The menu offers a combination of seasonal dishes and bistro essentials such as pan-seared Steak Frites, and also a few child-friendly options. Their extensive and reasonably priced beer and wine lists are definitely worth a look.

If you don't know your Farmhouse from your Trappist or your Abbey-style ales, or perhaps, more importantly, if you do, then Hopleaf should be your next destination for a goblet or two. In addition to an extensive list of Belgian beers available on tap (over 15) or by the bottle (over 100), this tavern also features beers from all over North America and Europe. If beer isn't your thing (gasp!) then check out the wine list. Hopleaf features a number of wines available by the glass or bottle. Of course, with all this drinking you'll probably want to do a little eating. A few standout features on the menu include the mussels (white-wine steamed or white-ale steamed, your choice) and the frites with aioli. -Susan Berg

In the up-and-coming Pilsen neighborhood, Cafe Jumping Bean is one of the most interesting and enjoyable element to have come out of to everybody's attention. This coffeehouse has combined the distinctly urban European coffeehouse with a tang of a Latin bar. It is decked out with wooden chairs and the tables are painted with lively Mexican imagery. The place attracts a variety of Hispanic intellectual community members, and you may overhear political conversation.

Experience the dynamic and diverse Mexican heritage through a variety of exhibits. The permanent collection focuses on prints and drawings, popular art, photography, contemporary painting and sculpture and pre-Cuauhtémoc artifacts. Incredible works by well-known and emerging musicians, authors and artists showcase Latin America and its strong sense of community. The annual "Day of the Dead" exhibit begins in September and draws the largest crowds in the city for such an event.

Powell's Bookstore offers a very broad range of selections, notably in the used academic non-fiction department, with special attention to American/European history and literary criticism. Fiction can be found in large quantities, alongside titles in philosophy, anthropology and others. If bargains are what you are after, walk down to the basement for a grand selection of books, especially in children's and foreign language.