Baha'i House of Worship
Up the road from Evanston in Wilmette is the most visited of all the sights in the northern suburbs, the Baha'i House of Worship, an ethereal edifice that seems not of this earth. The gleaming white stone temple, designed by the French Canadian Louis Bourgeois and completed in 1953, is essentially a soaring nine-sided 135-foot dome, draped in a delicate lacelike facade, that strongly reveals the Eastern influence of the Baha'i faith's native Iran. Surrounded by formal gardens, it is one of seven Baha'i temples in the world, and the only one in the Western Hemisphere. The dome's latticework is even more beautiful as you gaze upward from the floor of the sanctuary, which, during the day, is flooded with light. Downstairs, there is a visitor center with displays that explain the Baha'i faith. Temple members offer informal tours of the building and exhibits to anyone who inquires. Allow a half-hour.

DuSable Museum of African-American History
The DuSable Museum is a repository of the history, art, and artifacts pertaining to the African-American experience and culture. Named for Chicago's first permanent settler, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a French-Canadian of Haitian descent, it is admirable not so much for its collections and exhibits as for the inspiring story behind its existence. Founded in 1961 with a $10 charter and minimal capital, the museum began in the home of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, an art teacher at the city's DuSable High School. In 1973, as a result of a community-based campaign, the museum took up residence in its present building (a former parks administration facility and police lockup) on the eastern edge of Washington Park. With no major endowment to speak of, the DuSable Museum has managed to accumulate a respectable collection of more than 13,000 artifacts, books, photographs, art objects, and memorabilia. Its collection of paintings, drawings, and sculpture by African-American and African artists is excellent.In 1993, the DuSable Museum added a 25,000-square-foot wing named in honor of the city's first and only African-American mayor, Harold Washington. The permanent exhibit on Washington contains memorabilia and personal effects, and surveys important episodes in his political career. More recent is a permanent exhibit called Blacks in Aviation, which celebrates the achievements of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen and features such items as the flight jacket of Major Robert H. Lawrence, the nation's first African-American astronaut.The museum also has a gift shop, a research library, and an extensive program of community-related events, such as a jazz and blues music series, poetry readings, film screenings, and other cultural events, all of which are presented in a 466-seat auditorium. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Chicago Trolley Company
Chicago Trolley Company offers guided tours on a fleet of rubber-wheeled "San Francisco-style" trolleys that stop at a number of popular spots around the city, including Navy Pier, the Grant Park museums, the historic Water Tower, and the Sears Tower. You can stay on for the full 1 1/2-hour ride or get on and off at each stop. The trolleys operate year-round, but winter visitors won't need to wear a snowsuit; the vehicles are enclosed and heated during the chilliest months. The same company also operates the Chicago Double Decker Company, which has a fleet of London-style, red, two-story buses. The buses follow the same route as the trolleys; if you buy an all-day pass, you can hop from bus to trolley at any point.

Majestic Hotel
The Majestic Hotel affords the tranquility and dignity of a refined English Country estate amidst bustling energetic city life. This 52 Room Hotel has recently been transformed by a 1.5 Million Dollar Interior Renovation, featuring spacious work stations in each guest room with free wireless Internet access.***This a completely non-smoking property. ...

Hilton Chicago
Chicago Hilton and Towers - 3-Star, 4-Diamond property centrally located in the heart of all Chicago centers of business and culture. Conveniently situated on Michigan Avenue offering guests a picturesque view of Grant Park and Lake ...

Ambassador East Hotel
A Gold coast standard, the Ambassador East Hotel offers luxury and intimacy within a short walk of both Chicago's Magnificent Mile and lake front. The Ambassador East is a historic hotel nestled in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast. The AAA 4 diamond, Ambassador East is an inviting historical landmark that blends modern conveniences with classic architecture in a peaceful residential ...