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Spreading its broad shoulders above the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the undisputed capital of the Midwest. A blue-collar town in the popular mind-set, the reality of the Windy City is an utterly diverse metropolis that boasts world-class architecture, museums and theater among its many cultural options.

The Loop area of the downtown core (home of the tallest building in America, the Sears Tower) is the most well known in the city, though the flavor and character of Chicago is better captured by exploring some of its 75-plus unique neighborhoods. Between downtown and the lake, Grant Park is a vibrant green space often called "Chicago's front yard." It's easy to get around town with the ubiquitous elevated trains, known to one and all as "the El."

O'Hare International Airport is Chicago's biggest and one of the busiest in the world. Located about 20 miles northwest of the downtown core, O'Hare is accessible via the Blue Line of the El 24 hours a day, with the 45-minute ride into downtown costing $2. Cab fare into the city is metered and will run approximately $35 to $40.

Southwest of the city and closer to the Loop is Midway International Airport. Midway offers El service into downtown via the Orange Line ($2), while a cab ride costs about $25.

Catch an Afternoon Game at Wrigley
The friendly confines became the last major-league ballpark to install lights (in 1988), but the Cubs have kept with tradition and still play the majority of their games during the day. With its ivy-covered walls and hand-operated scoreboard, Wrigley Field is rivaled only by Boston's Fenway Park at the epitome of baseball tradition. After the game, head across the street for a beer at Murphy's Bleachers, one of the most popular sports bars in Wrigleyville.

Pay Homage at the Michael Jordan Statue
A bronze likeness of the most celebrated basketball player of all-time stands outside the United Center, home to the NBA's Bulls and NHL's Blackhawks. Unveiled in 1994, after the first of Jordan's three retirements, the base of the statue reads simply, "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be."

Run the Chicago Marathon
One of the world's premier marathons, the Chicago race is popular with elite and casual runners alike for its largely flat course and its spectator base of more than a million. So train diligently and give it a shot in late October. If you can't run at the head of the pack of 40,000 runners, at least try to beat the 4:29 that Oprah posted in 1994.

Battle the Elements at Soldier Field
One of the NFL's original franchises in 1920, the Chicago Bears have won nine championships in their storied history - eight of them prior to the advent of the Super Bowl. Their fans are a die-hard breed, braving snowy, windy conditions and temperatures that can plunge to below zero during football season.

Bike Along the Lakefront
Extending for 20 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, the scenic lakefront bicycle path offers spectacular views of both the water and downtown skyline. For the more ambitious, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation hosts the 35-mile Boulevard Lakefront Bike Tour through the city once a year.

Get On the Water
Whether paddling, sailing or fishing, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Lake Michigan. Get instruction on handling a 22-foot sailboat, or charter a fishing boat to try your hand at landing some salmon and trout. Kayakers and canoers can also check out the annual Flatwater Classic, a seven-mile trip down the Chicago River.

Museum of Science and Industry
E. 57th Street and S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1414 or toll-free 800-Go-to-MSI
This is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere. And undoubtedly the one that's most fun. You can climb aboard the only German submarine captured in World War II. Or descend 50 feet in a real hoist to the bottom of a replica of an Illinois mineshaft. Or work alongside 12 robots in a toy factory. Or simulate flying a 727 passenger jet.
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/exhome.html

Sears Tower Skydeck
233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606, 312-875-9696
From the 103rd floor of Chicago's tallest building, you can see (on a clear day) 50 miles - to Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. You'll rocket up a high-speed elevator, eyes riveted to flat-screen monitors whose images - courtesy of NASA - that make it seem you're blasting into space. The Skydeck is dotted with interactive kiosks that describe Chicago landmarks. High-tech, high-powered telescopes help you see them in detail.
http://www.the-skydeck.com/visitor_info/index.html (Click on: See more of Chicago)

John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, 312-939-2438
The signature exhibit in the world's largest indoor aquarium is the Caribbean Coral Reef - an aquatic bouillabaisse of bonnethead sharks, tarpon, parrotfish, barracuda, stingrays - hundreds of species in a 90,000-gallon circular tank. The Oceanarium recreates the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Wild Reef - Sharks at Shedd sets you face to face with one of the most diverse displays of these predators in North America.
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield, IL 60513
708-485-0263 or toll-free 866-GoTo Zoo
More than 2,000 breeds from around the world call this 216-acre suburban retreat home. Brookfield is known for its naturalist feel - many animals reside in open habitats protected by moats. Don't miss Tropic World, a simulated rain forest populated by exotic monkeys and birds - even a simulated thunderstorm.
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/default.asp

Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603, 312-575-8000
One of the world's great art museums. You'll be taken aback by the number of iconic paintings on display: Grant Wood's American Gothic, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, to name a few. Don't miss the Thorne Miniature Rooms, featuring meticulous, dollhouse-sized reproductions of early American homes and their interiors.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php

Niketown
669 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-642-6363
This is the company's flagship store - as well it should be. Michael Jordan, Nike's biggest star, made his name playing for the Chicago Bulls and still resides in a suburb of the city. The store is one part sports (and sports shoe) museum, one part high-end athletic shoe store. Want to immerse yourself in shoe culture? This is the place.

2005 Chicago White Sox (defeated Houston Astros, 4 games to 0).
1998 Chicago Bulls (defeated Utah Jazz, 4 games to 2).
1997 Chicago Bulls (defeated Utah Jazz, 4 games to 2).
1996 Chicago Bulls (defeated Seattle SuperSonics, 4 games to 2).
1993 Chicago Bulls (defeated Phoenix Suns, 4 games to 2).
1992 Chicago Bulls (defeated Portland Trail Blazers, 4 games to 2).
1991 Chicago Bulls (defeated Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 1).
1986 Chicago Bears (defeated New England Patriots, 46-10).
1963 Chicago Bears (defeated New York Giants, 14-10).
1961 Chicago Blackhawks (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 2).
1947 Chicago Cardinals (defeated Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21).
1946 Chicago Bears (defeated New York Giants, 24-14).
1943 Chicago Bears (defeated Washington Redskins, 41-21).
1941 Chicago Bears (defeated New York Giants, 37-9).
1940 Chicago Bears (defeated Washington Redskins, 73-0).
1938 Chicago Blackhawks (defeated Toronto Maple Leafs, 3 games to 1).
1934 Chicago Blackhawks (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 3 games to 1).
1933 Chicago Bears (defeated New York Giants, 23-21).
1932 Chicago Bears (no title game).
1923 Chicago Cardinals (no title game).
1921 Chicago Staleys (no title game).
1917 Chicago White Sox (defeated New York Giants, 4 games to 2).
1908 Chicago Cubs (defeated Detroit Tigers, 4 games to 1).
1907 Chicago Cubs (defeated Detroit Tigers, 4 games to 0).
1906 Chicago White Sox (defeated Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 2).