Chicago Cultural Center
Built in 1897 as the city's public library, and transformed into a showplace for visual and performing arts in 1991, the Chicago Cultural Center is an overlooked civic treasure. Its basic Beaux Arts exterior conceals a sumptuous interior of rare marble, fine hardwood, stained glass, polished brass, and mosaics of Favrile glass, colored stone, and mother-of-pearl inlaid in white marble. The crowning centerpiece is Preston Bradley Hall's majestic Tiffany dome, said to be the largest of its kind in the world.The building also houses one of the Chicago Office of Tourism's visitor centers, which makes it an ideal place to kick-start your visit. If you stop in to pick up tourist information and take a quick look around, your visit won't take longer than half an hour. But the Cultural Center also hosts an array of art exhibitions, concerts, films, lectures, and other special events (many free), which might convince you to extend your time here. A long-standing tradition is the 12:15pm Dame Myra Hess Memorial classical concert every Wednesday in the Preston Bradley Hall. Other ongoing programs include a monthly cultural festival -- which highlights a different city or country over a weekend with art, theater, and film.Guided architectural tours of the Cultural Center are offered Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1:15pm. For information, call tel. 312/744-8032.Allow a half-hour.

Lincoln Park Pritzker Children's Zoo & Farm-in-the-Zoo
After hours of looking at animals from afar in the rest of the Lincoln Park Zoo, kids can come here for some hands-on experience. Children are encouraged to come touch a variety of small animals -- hedgehogs, iguanas, rabbits -- under the supervision of zookeepers. There's also a very popular glass-walled animal nursery, where zoo docents and keepers care for the babies of more exotic species -- often, this means gorillas and chimpanzees -- who are ill, born weak, or rejected by their mothers. An adjacent outdoor area houses owls, otters, and other small critters in winding, naturalistic habitats. The Farm-in-the-Zoo is a working reproduction of a Midwestern farm, complete with a white-picket-fenced barnyard, chicken coops, and demonstrations of butter churning and weaving. Of course, you'll also spot plenty of livestock, including cows, sheep, and pigs. Inside the Main Barn (filled with interactive exhibits), the main attraction is the huge John Deere tractor that kids can climb up into and pretend to drive. (Can you say photo opportunity?) Allow 1 hour.

Arlington International Racecourse
With its gleaming-white, palatial, six-story grandstand and lush gardens, this racecourse is one of the most beautiful showcases for thoroughbred horse racing in the world. It has a storied history stretching back to 1927, and its track has been graced by such equine stars as Citation, Secretariat, and Cigar. The track's annual Arlington Million (the sport's first million-dollar race, held in mid-Aug) has attracted the top jockeys, trainers, and horses in past years and recently became part of the new World Series Racing Championship, which includes the Breeders Cup races. Arlington's race days are thrilling to behold, with all of racing's time-honored pageantry on display -- from the bugler in traditional dress to the parade of jockeys.Arlington likes to say that it caters to families, and it must be said that the ambience here is more Disney than den of iniquity. Various "family days" throughout the summer include live music and entertainment ranging from petting zoos to puppet shows.

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Nearby Airports: * Chicago Midway Airport - 12 Miles * Chicago O'Hare International Airport - 15 Miles Nearby Cities: * Rosemont - 19 Miles * Northbrook - 26 Miles * Naperville - 35 Miles * Waukegan - 45 ...

The Wheeler Mansion
Style and elegance abound at the Wheeler Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Just a walk to McCormick Place Convention Center. All of the modern conveniences of a contemporary Hotel in a very special setting. Be inspired by its beauty, pampered by its comforts, and amazed by its elegance. Offering such amenities as complimentary parking, complimentary gourmet breakfast, turndown service, and pressed Egyptian cotton sheets, our all-inclusive rate makes your stay even more enjoyable. ...

Tremont Hotel
Nearby Airports: * Chicago Midway Airport - 15 Miles * Chicago-O'Hare International Airport - 18 ...