Pay tribute to the Jewish religion and heritage at this degree-granting institution and research center. Dedicated to "illuminating the past and enlightening the future" of Jewish studies, Spertus Museum features intriguing exhibits that chronicle Jewish history and acquaint patrons with great Jewish scientists, inventors and artists. Rare artistic treasures are displayed in the artifacts center where children can uncover replicas in an archaeological dig. Other creative hands-on workshops and educational tours are available for children.
Contact Information: 618 South Michigan Avenue, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, Chicago, IL 60605, United States +1 312 322 1747
Visitors can journey to the stars or experiment with telescopes at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum . Also, there is plenty to learn about space travel, solar systems and galaxies through stunning displays. The informative, virtual reality StarRider Theater takes visitors on a tour of the Milky Way in chairs with interactive armrests. Shop at the Out of This World museum store which sells space-related souvenirs and gifts. For details on regular and summer hours, admission prices, driving directions, parking, audio tours and events check the website.
Contact Information: 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States +1 312 922 7827
Take a free 40-minute tour of Chicago's business district where internationally renowned buildings reach the sky. Learn about the area's 100-year history and the city's elevated train system, known to Chicagoans as the "el." The tour is presented by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Admission for the tour is free. Obtain tickets at the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center, 77 East Randolph St at Michigan Ave.
Contact Information: 77 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601, United States +1 312 744 2400
This family entertainment complex on Lake Michigan offers daylong fun with more than 50 acres (20 hectares) of parks and gardens, first-rate shopping, restaurants and exciting attractions. Ride the 15-story Ferris wheel, watch world-class performers at the Skyline Stage, and tour three floors of interactive fun at the Chicago Children's Museum. For some culture amongst the commercialism, check out the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. During the summer, free entertainment is available on Dock Street. During the winter, rent skates and take a spin on the open-air rink. Credit cards are accepted, but types vary by the establishment.
Contact Information: 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States +1 312 595 7437
Lincoln Park ranks up with New York's Central Park as one of the nation's finest urban playgrounds. In fact, the two were designed by the same landscape architect genius, Frederick Law Olmstead. From North Avenue all the way up to Ardmore, Lincoln Park encompasses over 1000 acres (405 hectares) of rolling green spaces and pretty lakes. Locals prize the viewing bridge over the North Pond that looks out at the Michigan Avenue Skyline. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Historical Society. Dozens of statues, including the famous statue of General Grant, can be found here. Look for other statues of Goethe, Shakespeare, Sir George Solti, Ben Franklin and Hans Christian Anderson. Be sure to watch out behind you, though. Joggers, roller-bladers and bicyclists tend to whip through here without caution.
Contact Information: 600 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, United States +1 312 744 2400
Ride through Chicago on an open-air, red or green trolley, and enjoy a narrated Windy City tour led by a knowledgeable and entertaining driver. Take time at the various stops to explore some of Chicago's first-rate museums and attractions, and catch a meal at the Rain forest Cafe or other nearby restaurants. Re-board at any stop along the 13-mile route. Call for departure times and locations. Tours are open year-round.
Contact Information: 615 West 41st Street, The Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company, Chicago, IL 60609, United States +1 773 648 5000
Lincoln Park Zoo is perfect for a family outing. Built in 1868, it is one of the oldest zoological gardens in the country. The zoo management team comprises experts in wildlife conservation, community education and recreation. The zoo, which attracts more than three million visitors a year, is open all year-round.
Contact Information: 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, United States +1 312 742 2000
"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. Many galleries are houses which include the famed ArcelorMittal CitySpace Gallery. Even though admission is free, reservations are advised.
Contact Information: 224 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 116, Chicago, IL 60604, United States +1 312 922 3432
This was the home of the famous architect and his family during the formative years of his career. Tours of the design masterpiece created by the architect himself show the soaring great room and the beginnings of his Prairie style. You can also wander through the studio where he produced his landmark designs that challenged conventional architectural ideas.
Contact Information: 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States +1 708 848 1976
Grant Park stretches from the Museum Campus at Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road all the way north to the Prudential building, with Columbus Drive on its west side and the lake on its east. At one time, this stretch of land was undeveloped and a prime target for builders. However, department store magnate Montgomery Ward did not want the lake view from his Michigan Avenue office obstructed, so he successfully lobbied the city to create Grant Park. In the summer months, the grounds bloom with rose gardens, and the famous Buckingham Fountain springs to life. The Petrillo Band Shell is home to the Grant Park Music Festival and also hosts such events as Jazz Fest, Celtic Fest and Blues Fest. Perhaps the park is most famous for The Taste of Chicago, a culinary festival which happens every year in late June and early July.
Contact Information: 337 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601, United States +1 312 744 2400
Explore the 216 acres where more than 400 species live and play in naturalistic habitats. View exceptional exhibits featuring well-known and exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. You can holler with monkeys, howl with lions and tigers or sing with the birds at the various up-close habitats.
Contact Information: First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, United States +1 708 688 8000
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.
Contact Information: 201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601, United States +1 312 742 1168
This museum makes science fun with interactive, educational exhibits that stretch the imagination. Spend time in a 16-foot (4.8-meter) heart as you learn about how yours works. Find out how technology has influenced history by stepping back in time on "Yesterday's Main Street." Watch action-packed films in the museum's giant-screen Omnimax Theatre or take a ride down a coal mine. And don't leave without picking up some great souvenirs at The Big Idea museum shop. Omnimax requires additional fee. Parking available in underground garage.
Contact Information: 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637, United States +1 773 684 1414
Travel from ancient civilizations through modern times, viewing remnants of bygone cultures and traditions. Get the inside story on Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur skeleton, or view preserved man-eating lions and other animals. For a truly subterranean experience, check out the Underground Adventure, an exhibit dedicated to soil and how it sustains life, or just relax at one of several places to eat. Free for members, teachers and military personnel. Chicago residents receive a discount. See website for online ticketing, visitor guide, and extended hours.
Contact Information: 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States +1 312 922 9410
Nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan, this indoor aquatic world the John G. Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 650 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from across the globe. Explore Caribbean waters at the 90,000-gallon (340,690-liter) coral reef exhibit, or watch whales and dolphins play during marine mammal shows. Eat at Soundings restaurant, where you will find a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, or in the Bubble Net food court. Aquatic souvenirs are available in the gift shop. See website for package deals, visitor info, maps, membership details, and events calendar.
Contact Information: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States +1 312 939 2438
Did you ever wonder how city planners choose to preserve important ancient sites while meeting the modern needs of a large city? Here's one place to find out. Located in the basement of Jerusalem's new City Hall, a 1:500 detailed model of Jerusalem is on display. Created by the Jerusalem city engineer and a team of architecture students from the Technion in Haifa, the model provides a way to study and test various development options. Call to make an appointment to see the model, and while you're at City Hall, be sure to go to the top floor for a panoramic view of the city from the enclosed balcony.
Come to the lowest point on the surface of the earth and also one of the hottest! Here you will find clean, oxygen enriched air, and needless to say, water salty enough to float in. There are several places of interest here, including the Qumran caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve with exquisite wildlife, and the historical Roman Fortress of Masada. Its many beaches include the private ones of Ein Gedi and Ein Feshka, and the Ein Gedi Spa is worth checking out if you need to detoxify after a hard week.
Contact Information: 35Km Southeast of Jerusalem, Judean Desert, Israel +972 2 625 8844 (Jerusalem Tourist Info)
Dating back to the late 13th century, the history of this site is inspiring. The famous Rabbi Moses Ben Nahman (Ramban) established the synagogue's ancestral community on Mount Zion. In 1400 the community moved to the Old City and prayed here until Moslems attacked the Jews in 1474. Their existence was sporadic until after the war in 1967 where the Israelis gained control of the Old City. Now the synagogue is beautifully restored with the original columns still standing. Recalling the site's long history, the singing during Sabbath evening and morning services echoes off the vaulted ceiling.
Contact Information: Bet El and Misherot Hakehuna, Jerusalem, Israel
Walking on top of the Old City walls gives wonderful views over new Jerusalem (from arrow slits or over turrets) and into the alleys, markets and hubbub of the Old City. From such a vantage point you can capture the details of day-to-day Old City life – purple sheets hanging on washing lines, a nun peeling grapes in a convent, an Arab vendor frying falafel for a policeman. The length of the walk is 4 kilometres. Because of security considerations, the area around the Temple Mount is closed. Walkers have to descend at Lion or Dung Gate. There are three entrance points for the walk, two at Jaffa Gate and one at Damascus Gate. It is not advised to walk alone or after dark.
Contact Information: Entrances by Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, Israel +972 2 628 2341
In 696 BC, Hezekiah's men built these tunnels to cut off the water flow into Jerusalem and lead a revolt against the ruling Assyrians. The actions taken by the Judeans are recorded numerous times in Biblical writings. Now, visitors can explore these water-filled tunnels and examine the chisel marks on the walls made by the laborers. Bring flashlights or candles because there is no light in the tunnel. Not suitable for children as the water can reach a depth of four feet and the ceiling is less than five feet in places.
Contact Information: Hashiloah Road, from Gihon spring to pool of Silwan, Jerusalem, Israel +972 625 8844 (Tourist Information)
This house belonged to the priestly Kathros family at the time of the Second Temple. The excavated basement apparently contained a laboratory for making incense for the Temple rites. Among the finds were stone vessels, a coin mold, spearheads, and a woman's arm bone. The wealthy Herodian quarter was burnt by the Romans in August, 70 C.E. The family may have hid in the drainage canal visible to visitors, but were smoked out and killed. This is an eerily appropriate place to visit during August, when Jews commemorate the destruction of the Temple. Purchase tickets at the nearby Wohl Museum on 1, HaKara'im Street.
Built in 1982, this gigantic prayer hall lives up to its name. The doors leading into the marble floored and chandelier lined foyer are designed to replicate the grand entrance to the first and second Temples. Enjoy the beauty of the two storey stained glass windows and plush seating. The services are traditional as women sit on the second floor balcony. The lobby contains a collection of mezuzahs (small rectangle box that is affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes) from around the world. Shabbat services are Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Contact Information: 55 King George St, Jerusalem, Israel
Israel's annual memorial day for its fallen soldiers is observed on 2 Iyyar (in May), the day before Independence Day. Official ceremonies take place in this cemetery. Here are buried many of Israel's leaders, including its assassinated Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin (1922-1995), whose memorial symbolizes the search for peace. Special monuments honor Jews who fought with the British Army and the Red Army during World War II, seamen of the Dakkar submarine; those who fell in Israel's War of Independence, and other specially recognized groups. Note that the cemetery is open at all times except for special memorial services for family members only.
Contact Information: Herzl Boulevard,, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, Israel
Largely destroyed during Israel's War of Independence, the Jewish Quarter has been now been restored. Here you will find a residential area, ancient and modern synagogues, archaeological sites (some located in the apartment building basements), and shops offering books, certified antiquities, art, and Judaica. The Quarter's most famous landmark is the destroyed Hurva Synagogues, surmounted by a wide arch. The square provides a small playground, and leading off it is the Cardo, the Wohl Archaeological Museum, and Burnt House. From here you can also get to the medieval remains of St Mary of the Germans, and the wide stairway that leads to the Western Wall. Numerous small restaurants and Falafel stands will help sustain you as you explore this dynamic restored Jewish community.
Contact Information: St. James Road, Jerusalem, Israel
Foundations for this citadel were laid by the Hasmoneans, and expanded by King Herod. Its historical museum presents the multi-layered and multi-cultural history of the city. Worth noting are models of the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, and the Holy Sepulchre in various eras, and a nineteenth century model of the city. Guided tours are available Sunday to Friday in several languages. In addition to the many exhibits and the fine view of the city, it is also possible to schedule private parties and conferences. Tours of the Permanent Exhibition for individual visitors: In English: Sunday-Thursay at 11a. In Hebrew: Monday and Wednesday at 10:30a
Admission: NIS 30 for adults NIS 20 for students NIS 15 for children & seniors
One of the fiercest battles in Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War was fought here by Israeli paratroopers to take the well-fortified Jordanian position that blocked the way to the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University. Visitors can walk along the trenches to imagine the fighting, and can pay their respects to the fallen at the memorial for Battalian 66. The museum offers models and an audio-visual display describing the battle. In the surrounding park, one sometimes encounters Israeli and Jordanian families partaking of a memorial meal in honor of relatives who fell here. There is a small entrance fee.
Contact Information: Mount Scopus, Off Route1, Jerusalem, Israel +972 2 582 8442 / +972 2 582 9392
This attraction, which opened in 1998, provides a white-knuckle simulator ride through Jerusalem's long and turbulent history. The audience is seat-belted in and given headphones for a journey through earthquakes, fires, and the destruction of the city (with seat jolts to accompany). The 25 minute movie begins in the times of King David and Solomon and culminates with the Six-Day War in 1967. Along the way, the audience witnesses the birth of Christianity and the emergence of Islam. The time travel experience concludes with a beautiful aerial ride over the Jerusalem of today. The attraction is not suitable for children under 5. There are stationary seats for heart patients, pregnant women, or those with motion sickness.
High on the hills of East Talpiot, this promenade offers a fantastic view of the entire Jerusalem landscape including the sparkling Old City and surrounding walls. This spacious park has many walking trails that traverse the area and wonderful shaded grasslands for family picnics. Peer into the surrounding villages of Abu Dis, Silwan, Abu Tor and gaze across at the New City skyline. The park's lights turn off at 11:30p. Visitors are encouraged to avoid visiting the area alone at night as it is not well lit and far from the center of town.
Contact Information: Daniel Yanofsky Street, (From Hebron Road continue up Yanofsky for 1km), Jerusalem, Israel
Guided tours of the Western Wall tunnel must be booked in advance. What is now far underground was once open to the sky. You will see "Wilson's Arch" - part of the support for a bridge connecting the Temple Mount to the Upper City, along with large halls from different periods, including one that was perhaps the Jerusalem council meeting room or city archive from the Hasmonean period. Water channels, and the largest block of stone used in constructing the wall are also visible. Models and an audio-visual display enable visitors to understand the various sites.
Contact Information: Western Wall Plaza, 91141 Jerusalem, Israel +972 2 628 5666
The Western Wall itself is actually a huge retaining wall for the structures built on the Temple Mount. It has been a focal point for Jewish prayer since 70 C.E., when the Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman army. A wide plaza accommodates worshippers (men and women pray in different areas), as well as public events, such as the swearing in of new army recruits, and the presentation of Israeli schoolchildren with their first prayer books, bar mitzvah celebrations, and wedding photos. Visitors should dress modestly. A local custom is to write prayers and petitions on small slips of paper and press them into the cracks in the wall.
Contact Information: Western Wall Plaza, 97500 Jerusalem, Israel
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.
Possibly the best place in town for gourmet American food. Hamburgers, steaks and fries are in abundance and the meat is wonderful. Choose between six different sizes of burgers and a variety of steaks and fish dishes. Ravenous eaters who finish the 1kg colossal burger, the largest on the menu, will receive an official T-shirt and be entered into the Norman's hall of fame website. Business travelers can enjoy the highly discounted lunch specials. A full bar including beer on tap is also available.
Contact Information: 27 Emek Refaim, German Colony, Jerusalem, Israel +972 2566 6603
For the steak lover this restaurant is an absolute delight. The restaurant is designed to look like a South American lodge, and accordingly, all the meat here is grilled. There are several types of steaks to choose from, as well as chicken. The business lunch special includes a starter, steak or chicken, fries or a potato, salad, bread, a drink and dessert. The chimichyga is also recommended. It is a blend of oil, vinegar, and vegetables. It's meant to accompany the steak, but tastes great on everything.
For short-term travelers seeking a fascinating look at Israeli culture or long-term residents hoping to strike a bargain, this crowded, yet inviting market is a meaningful experience. Fresh, inexpensive produce is in abundance but the market's specialties include colorful spices, pre-made salads and spreads and newly baked pastries. Rumor has it that the bakery stall, 'Marzi-Pan,' makes the world's best ruggalah (rolled chocolate pastries). Finding the centrally located market is a breeze. Finding the best route out of its maze of lanes may require some keen navigation skills. Call ahead for hours.
Contact Information: Agripas Street and Jaffa Street, 94383 Jerusalem, Israel
