Chicago Architecture Foundation: A foundation up to the standards of one of the greatest architecture cities in the world. Located at 224 S. Michigan Ave.They offer a wide variety of tours and have a very nice gift shop.
Website
Chicago Cultural Center: They offer temporary art exhibits, usually local artists, lectures and the best visitor's center in Chicago. Located at Michigan Ave. and Washington, just north of Millennium Park. It is located inside one of the most ornate buildings in Chicago. It is worth stopping in just to look around.
Website
DuSable Museum of African American History: A 46 year old museum dedicated to the history of African Americans. 740 E. 56th, just west of the University of Chicago.
Not easily accessible by public transportation.
Website
Museum of Contemporary Photography: A museum dedicated to photography with over 9000 photographs, many by the countries leading photographers. 600 S. Michigan Ave. Free
Website
Chicago River Walk: Running along the south bank of the Chicago River from the Lake to Clark Street. It is a nice place to take a leisurely walk. There several temporary restaurants in the summer which are a good place to relax, look at the soaring buildings and have a drink or a bite to eat. Cyrano's is a good choice for a romantic drink and O'Brien's is good for a beer and a burger.
McCormick Bridge House and Chicago River Museum: A new museum housed inside the bridge house located on the southwest corner of Michigan Ave and the river. It is a look at the history of the Chicago River, just steps from the original site of Fort Dearborn. It is also a chance to see the inner workings of a draw bridge. $4, opens May 10th.
Website
Wrigley Field Tours:
A really fun way to see baseball's second oldest stadium and a Chicago landmark. Tours take you almost everywhere, including the field, dugout, press box and locker rooms. The quality of the stadium's inner workings is surprisingly bad.
Website
Spertus Institute For Jewish Studies: A center for the study of the Jewish People offering exhibits, public programs and collections. Located in a beautiful building at 610 S. Michigan Ave. $7 admission for the galleries.
Website
Brookfield Zoo: A very nice zoo located in the suburb of Brookfield. A car is needed to reach the zoo and it is $13.50 instead of free as the Lincoln Park Zoo is.
Website
Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio: Located in the peaceful and historic suburb of Oak Park, just west of Chicago. It provides a look inside his home and studio. Oak Park is home to several of his creations and many other really nice homes. A great place to visit for architecture buffs.
Website
Museum Lectures: Chicago's leading museums offer a lot of free lectures, most often with a paid admission. They cover everything from almost daily talks at The Art Institute of Chicago to leading scientists lecturing at the Field Museum.
Field Museum Art Institute
News Broadcasts: Both Channel 7, 190 N. State, and Channel 2, at the corner of Washington and Dearborn, offer a chance to watch the news being telecast and maybe even to be in the background. Channel 7 almost always shows the crowd outside.
Food tours: Chicago is one of the countries leading food cities and there are several tours that will help you get an insider's look at eating in Chicago.
Chicago Food Planet Ethnic Market Tours