Even in the fierce cold of December, with winds blowing off the lake and snow swirling, Chicago's diverse activities pose a challenge for tourist who wants to "do it all." When trying to narrow the array of places and venues to a realistic vacation, first sort activities by categories like art and architecture, science, or neighborhoods, then get to the nitty-gritty of where to go and what to do.
In a city with 26 distinct ethnicities, you'll have trouble deciding which one to visit: the large Latino community in Pilsen and Little Village, distinguished by lively murals and home of the National Museum of Mexican Art; West Town's Ukrainian Village; Little Italy; Chinatown; and many more. Even some not particularly ethnic neighborhoods are worth a peek, like Hyde Park, home of the strolling intellectuals at the University of Chicago and Barak Obama.
Learn about Chicago's architects and architecture. A good place to start would be the Chicago Architecture Foundation's architectural tours. Don't miss Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, where he experimented with design ideas; the Robie House, which reflects the Prairie style developed by Wright and his associates; and the Charnley-Persky House Museum, where Frank Lloyd Wright worked with mentor Louis Sullivan to create a house embracing abstract forms.
Set aside time to visit the Art Institute, famed especially for its impressionist and post-impressionist collections. Or try the Museum of Contemporary Art or the small gem at the Navy Pier, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, which provides an eye into Chicago history through its display of 150 stained glass windows in four artistic categories: Victorian, Prairie, modern and contemporary.
Set aside a substantial slot to visit Museum Campus on Lake Michigan; explore natural history at the Field Museum, including gaping at the largest an most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever named Sue; the stars at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum; and 22,000 aquatic species at the Shedd Aquarium. If you're not sated, move on to the Museum of Science and Industry, largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, covering biology, space, transportation, mathematics, and all manner of inventive genius.
While pondering this venerable city's historical offerings, consider the DuSable Museum of African American History, the first of its kind; the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, devoted to the social reformer who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931; and the Clarke House Museum in the Prairie Avenue Historic District -- the oldest house in Chicago.
And don't forget to pig out on deep-dish pizza. Though Uno's is now a franchising operation, it started in Chicago in 1943; you can still try it in Chicago at Pizzeria Uno at 29 East Ohio or Pizzeria Due at 619 North Wabash Avenue.
With their strong ties to nature, the Franklin Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory both let you "be outside" during a time of year when you would prefer not to be. So does the large Garfield Park Conservatory, whose 100-year-old collection has many indoor spaces, devoted to different types of plants: the Aroid House for popular houseplants, the Desert House for cacti and succulents, the Fern Room, Horticulture Hall, Palm House, and a Show House for seasonal flower shows, and the newest -- Sweet House, featuring delectables like chocolate, vanilla, and figs. Or learn how to care for the environment at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park.
