Chicago
In the median of Martin Luther King Jr Dr, near 35th St, the Victory Monument was erected in 1928 in honor of the African American soldiers who fought in…
Must-see attractions in The Great Lakes
William Rainey Harper Memorial Library
Chicago
Once inside the building, head to the East Tower's 3rd floor, where the reading room (called the Cathey Learning Center) offers a terrific chill-out spot…
Chicago
Artist Claes Oldenburg – known for his gigantic shuttlecocks in Kansas City and oversized cherry spoon in Minneapolis – delivered this 96ft, baseball-bat…
Northern Minnesota
The five-story, bluestone, octagonal tower is a defining Duluth monument, located in Enger Park. Terrific views of the harbor and Lake Superior reward…
Grand Portage National Monument
Northern Minnesota
Located beside the Canadian border, this is where the early voyageurs had to carry their canoes around the Pigeon River rapids. It was the center of a far…
Chicago
The mod, glassy Center on Halsted is the Midwest's largest LGBT community center. It's mostly a social service organization for locals, but visitors can…
Illinois
Chatterbox docents will take you through the Greek Revival–style building, which served as the seat of state government from 1839 to 1876, and regale you…
Chicago Fire Department Training Academy
Chicago
Rarely has a building been placed in a more appropriate location: the fire department’s training school (also known as the Quinn Academy) stands on the…
Minneapolis
You'll have to travel a ways to get to this respected zoo in suburban Apple Valley, which is 20 miles south of Minneapolis. It has naturalistic habitats…
Detroit
Local artist Robert Sestok bought a forlorn lot by the freeway where cars whizz by, and plunked down his hulking abstract sculptures welded from scrap…
Indiana
Prominent architect Philip Johnson designed this non-denominational church in the 1960s, which is basically an open park surrounded by a brick wall. It…
Northern Minnesota
The duplex is up a hill a few blocks northeast of downtown. Dylan lived on the top floor until age six, when his family moved inland to Hibbing. It's a…
Chicago
In the front median of the Adler Planetarium, the bronze Copernicus statue shows 16th-century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus holding a compass and…
Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin 1260-acre arboretum is dense with lilac and 17 miles of trails. The park's visitor center has a parking lot, brochures and a…
Cleveland
The kitschy 'Free' stamp sculpture by Claes Oldenburg is a photo op favorite. Food trucks congregate around it and there are live music performances on…
Chicago
Modeled after a 15th-century French château, the William K Kimball House dates from 1892. It now houses the US Soccer Federation, along with next-door…
Chicago
This lovely little park in the Prairie Avenue Historic District makes for a nice stroll thanks to its ornamental fountain, manicured gardens and winding…
Michigan
Next door to the Henry Ford Museum, the interactive Auto Hall focuses on the people behind famed cars, such as Mr Ferdinand Porsche and Mr Soichiro Honda…
Chicago
A classic 1891 design by Holabird & Roche, the Pontiac features the same flowing masonry surfaces as the architects’ famed Monadnock Building in the Loop.
Minneapolis
Fort Snelling is the state's oldest structure, established in 1820 as a frontier outpost in the remote Northwest Territory. Guides in period dress show…
Northern Minnesota
The library has well-done displays on local boy Bob Dylan and a free walking-tour map (available online, too) that takes you past various sites, like the…
Chicago
Part of the Prairie Avenue Historic District, the Romanesque 1886 Coleman House now serves as part of the headquarters for the US Soccer Federation.
Chicago
The Romanesque revival-style church was built between 1885 and 1892 and was a hub for the city's Irish immigrants. Its smooth masonry contrasts with the…
Chicago
This 45-ton, steel sculpture marks the western end of the Paseo Boricua, aka Puerto Rican Promenade. It has a twin a half mile east at Artesian Ave.
Chicago
Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam, built the 21-room mansion at the corner of Woodlawn Ave and 49th St in 1971. Louis Farrakhan, the group's…
Minneapolis
Locals stroll in this spot that spreads next to the Guthrie Theater. The mound and spiral walkway at the center were inspired by ancient Native American…
Minnesota
South of downtown and connected via Wabasha St, Harriet Island is a lovely place to meander. It has a river walk, paddle wheel steamboat cruises, concert…
World's Largest Outdoor Chandelier
Cleveland
Hokey but true: Cleveland owns the world's largest outdoor chandelier. The 20ft sparkler, with 4200 faux crystals, dangles over Playhouse Square and has…
Chicago
This 1870 limestone beauty in the Prairie Avenue Historic District combines classical and French motifs. It's now a private event space.
Minnesota
Even adults will be entertained by the wacky quackery of the 4th floor's 'questionable medical devices.' Has the usual hands-on kids' exhibits and Omnimax…
Milwaukee
The parkland edging Lake Michigan is prime for walking, cycling and inline skating. Also here is Bradford Beach, which is good for swimming and lounging.
Chicago
Muhammad Ali lived for a time in this large brick Tudor home, less than a block from his spiritual mentor Elijah Muhammad.
Ohio
Gorge on 25 kinds of pie, homemade ice-cream cones and seasonal produce from the market inside. Pet the farmyard animals ($3) and take pony rides ($4)…
Ohio
You can fish, hike, bike, rock climb, canoe or camp among the limestone cliffs. The scenic highlight is Clifton Gorge, cut by the pretty Little Miami…
Chicago
Henry Moore sculpted the 13ft bronze piece outside the Adler Planetarium in 1980. It does indeed mark the time of day by casting a shadow on the ground.
Cincinnati
This pedestrian-only bridge provides a unique crossing from Sawyer Point (a nifty park dotted by whimsical monuments and flying pigs) to Newport, KY.
Chicago
Built in 1926, the exquisite 150-seat chapel is worth a peek for its harmonious use of architecture, sculpture, woodcarvings and stained glass.
Chicago
Built in 1886, the former headquarters for the legendary Linotype company has been converted into snazzy loft-style condo apartments.
Ohio
Peek into a local home and one-room schoolhouse, and take a buggy ride through a field at this Amish farm that's open to visitors.
Indiana
You'll find James Dean's modest, often lipstick-stained gravestone in Park Cemetery on the outskirts of town.
