Streets stretch out into the distance. Buildings stretch up toward the clouds. When the wind kicks up and swirls around you in a magical dance you almost feel like you are starring in your own version of the Wizard of Oz. Chicago has a grand history involving famous sports teams, exceptional journalism, state-of-the-art construction, diverse ethnic groups, a rich musical history of jazz and blues and so much more. Chicago is a feast for the eyes, ears, nose and heart.

ATTRACTIONS, MUSEUMS, AND PARKS

Sears Tower Skydeck
Did you ever dream you could travel through four states in the blink of an eye? You can, on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Look out through the panoramic observatory and you can see all of Chicago as well as Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Blink a few times just to prove this spectacular sight isn't a figment of your imagination.

If you can draw your attention away from the view long enough, you will find numerous interactive museums detailing the history of Chicago and a small-scale version of the entire city. And if the height doesn't make you lose your appetite, you will find three gourmet restaurants and a food court with the same jaw-dropping view as the observatory. The Sears Tower Skydeck is your one chance to see the beautiful Chicago skyline from above the skyline.

Lincoln Park
Before it was a band, Lincoln Park was once the site of a gruesome shooting. Well-known gangster John Dillinger was shot and killed by the FBI at the Biograph Theater in 1934. Since then, Lincoln Park has become one of Chicago's most popular neighborhoods for family fun.

It has a great place to stroll or rollerblade along Lake Michigan and houses a free zoo, one of the oldest but most modern zoos in the country, featuring giant lizards, Galapagos turtles and chimpanzees whose crayon drawings have been shown in galleries across the world. The Lincoln Park Zoo is also the world leader in gorilla breeding. More than three dozen have been bred there since 1970.

Magnificent Mile
Olympians have to hurry through the mile. You will want to take your time once you've been introduced to the Magnificent Mile. More than 3,000 feet of shopping heaven awaits you as you walk along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lincoln Park. The mile is home to every type of store imaginable, from upscale shops one would expect to see on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood to tiny boutiques with tourist memorabilia. But the most famous building on the mile is the home of the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune Tower is a huge gothic structure with rocks from buildings and monuments from all over the world built into its base. The Magnificent Mile is quite a stretch of land. Just don't forget to stretch.

Navy Pier
You won't find any military personnel at this Navy Pier. The only people spending time here are families looking to have a great time. The pier is a giant dock housing restaurants, shops, English pubs, a movie theater, IMAX Theater and the world's only stained glass window museum. The Pier also features a children's museum, an ice skating rink, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a 525-seat theater modeled after the Swan Theater in London, and an exciting 19-acre amusement park right on the water. Also, the Crystal Gardens are an acre-long indoor garden with palm trees, exotic flowers and a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline. Joining the Navy was never this much fun.

Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is the only aquarium where the building is just as beautiful as the tropical fish it houses. It is one of the oldest public aquariums in the world with a breathtaking marble front and great pillars that remind visitors of a European palace.

Inside the attractive walls you will find more than 200 tanks of 8,000 or so tropical fish, moray eels, sharks and so much more, making it the world's largest indoor aquarium. The attached multilevel Oceanarium, a huge cluster of pools that seem to merge with a nearby lake, is the home to beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals and penguins. The Shedd Aquarium is a symbol of beauty, both in its design and the creatures that inhabit it.

MUSEUMS

Field Museum of Natural History
African animals, mummies, and dinosaurs - oh my! You'll have the sinking feeling you aren't in Chicago anymore when you step into the African plains, ancient Egypt or the time of the dinosaurs.

A large exhibit there seems to transport you to crowded African streets and rolling Sahara sand dunes. A perfectly re-created Egyptian burial chamber houses 23 real mummies, as well as room-after-room of dinosaur fossils dating back tens of millions of years. But the beaming prom queen at this dance is Sue. Sue is the best example of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton found anywhere in the world. Once you've seen everything this museum has to offer, you'll need to step through the exit doors to remember you're in 21st century Chicago.

Art Institute of Chicago
You'll find a little bit of Paris right in the heart of Chicago. From the instantly recognizable bronze lions at the entrance to its collection of art dating back to as far as 5,000 years ago, the Art Institute of Chicago has become a staple of the city. Its impressionist and postimpressionist collection is second only to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, but the museum also proudly displays modern art, Chinese jades, photography and textiles, architectural drawings and models and even medieval armor. Individual tours are available, as well as tours designed for small groups and classrooms or field trips.

The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
This family-friendly attraction features interactive exhibits like the Space Walk simulator, which shows you how it would feel to walk around in outer space. Experience and explore the clear night sky in the Sky Theater or step into virtual reality in the StarRider Theater. The Planetarium and Museum also features the Doane Observatory, home to the largest aperture telescope available for public use in Chicago. With its 20-inch-diameter mirror, the Doane telescope can gather more than 5,000 times more light than an unaided human eye.

Sources:
(http://www.chicagotraveler.com)

(http://www.chicago-travel-services.com/)

(http://www.lonelyplanet.com)