http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20760
Hyde Park has a number of bookstores - the most interesting to me are the Seminary Coop Bookstore at 5757 South University (new books and other locations) and Powell & O’Gara’s, 1501 East 57th Street (used books to get lost in).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20760 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20758
The highlights from my point of view, in no particular order:

Lake Michigan (including the Outer Drive and the many parks along it), ethnic foods and neighbourhoods, Hyde Park (yeah, yeah, we stole the name) and University of Chicago area, music of all kinds, architecture.

For many area and architecture tours, including the very popular Chicago River Cruise (seasonal, of course – brrrr!), and for architecture information, see the Chicago Architecture Foundation which has an office at 224 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s downtown (not technically in Chicago’s famous Loop which is defined by the elevated train tracks downtown). They are in the Santa Fe building; while in the downtown area see the Rookery (in both it and the Santa Fe building be sure to see the lobby areas inside), Monadnock Building, Carson Pirie, Scott Building.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation 'tour' pages will give you plenty of ideas for visits and their tours are high quality and reasonably priced.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20691
On the way out ladies must go and powder their noses for the most spectacular views ever from a skyscraper bathroom.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19461 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19461 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4306 www.artic.edu/aic/index.php]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4213
It is primarily a museum and performance space, with a busy schedule of exhibits and performances. On Saturdays, they often have midday dance classes for young and old (great fun, even if you just watch).

The Chicago Symphony and Opera both offer free performances in the opulent Preston Bradley Hall, covered in glass mosaic, beneath the world's largest Tiffany dome.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4213 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4212
The city also offers free performances in the Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavillion. There's a bike centre to rent or stow a bike, a large garden, skating rink, restaurant and spectacular views of both the lake, and the most elegant stretch of Michigan Avenue.

My favorite part? The world's only Gehry bridge, which meanders like a lazy stream, and leaps across Columbus Avenue, tranporting you into another large park.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4212