1. The Art Institute of Chicago

• The Art Institute, comprised of a museum and a school, found its permanent home on Michigan Avenue in 1893
  
• The original, core beaux-arts building was built for the World's Columbian Exposition
  
• The museum houses more than 300,000 works of art within its 10 curatorial departments

The Art Institute of Chicago, www.artic.edu/aic, Admission: $10 Adults $6 Children (Tuesdays are free)

2. The Field Museum

• See Sue, the world's largest, most complete and most famous T. rex
  
• The Field Museum was founded to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.
  
• In 1905, the Museum's name was changed to Field Museum of Natural History to honor the Museum's first major benefactor, Marshall Field

The Field Museum, www.fmnh.org

3. The Second City

• Laugh it up here at the place some of the most famous comedians got their start
  
• The name was taken from the title of a derisive profile of Chicago in The New Yorker
  
• The Second City opened on December 16,1959.
  
• The inaugural had a cast including John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Gilda Radner

The Second City, www.secondcity.com

4. Buddy Guy's Legends

• Bluesman Buddy Guy himself started this Chicago mainstay
  
• Got the munchies? Grab a Po-boy sandwich
  
• There' a wealth of authentic Blues memorabilia
  
• Hear the best blues performers in the world

Buddy Guy's Legends, www.buddyguys.com

5. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel

• The lobby is located on the 12^th floor
  
• Set atop Water Tower Place
  
• The Ritz-Carlton is owned by The Four Seasons
  
• Located near Michigan Avenue

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, www.fourseasons.com, Rooms start around $345

6. The Drake Hotel

• A true Chicago landmark
  
• First opened in 1920
  
• Scenes from the Tom Cruise movie Mission Impossible were filmed here.

The Drake Hotel (Hilton), www.thedrakehotel.com

7. The W Hotel

• Hip, contemporary design inside and out
  
• Close to Lake Michigan
  
• A glittering gem set in the heart of Chicago's famed "Loop."

The W Hotel, 312-332-1200, Rooms start around $190

8. The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel

• Built in 1927, the four diamond Knickerbocker Hotel offers traditional elegance
  
• The hotel has had a $35 million renovation
  
• As member of The Historical Hotels of America Society

The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, 312-751-8100, Rooms start around $170

9. Demon Dogs Hot Dog Stand

• Named after DePaul University's mascot
  
• Try the cheese fries!
  
• Some great Rock and Roll memorabilia
  
• The owner manages the Rock group, Chicago.
  
• Say "Hi" to Judy

Demon Dogs Hot Dog Stand, 773-281-2001, Average meal: $5

10. Mr. Beef Italian Beef sandwiches

• A true Chicago "joint" enjoyed by all walks of life
  
• Try your beef sandwich with peppers
  
• Mr. Beef closes when they run out of food

Mr. Beef Italian Beef sandwiches, 312-337-8500, Average meal: $6

11. Pompeii

• Square pizzas to suite any taste
  
• A fixture in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood since 1909
  
• Try pizza strudel, a thick, bready version of traditional pie
  
• Check out one of their many pastas

Pompeii Italian Food, 312-421-5179

12. Rosebud Italian restaurant

• Joe Mantegna likes it as does this Fine Living Producer
  
• Their motto is Eat, Drink and be Italian
  
• Head Chef Joe Farino will create an Italian meal like no other.
  
• The perfect meal according to Owner, Alex Dana: Fried calamari, square noodles and chicken Vesuvius
  
• A definite Chicago must-do.

Rosebud Italian Food, www.rosebudrestaurants.com, Average meal: $50