| suites add hot tubs and, in some cases, fireplaces or separate sitting areas. a vending machine with pizza and frozen foods can be found in the lobby. open since 1960 on historic route 66 in cicero, this stalwart, roadside budget motel is a mile from the nearest metra station and 8 miles to downtown chicago. the simple, cozy rooms have air-conditioning, cable tv and private bathrooms. check-in time: 11:00 amcheck-out time: 11:00 am
O'Hare International Airport 34 min
Lincoln Park Zoo (26 min)
Small, free zoo with lions, primates, reptiles, a children's area & an interactive farm exhibit. Chicago Riverwalk (20 min)
Riverside pedestrian path featuring city views & dining, plus bridges, fishing piers & boat docks. Shedd Aquarium (19 min)
State-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan. Cloud Gate (20 min)
Huge outdoor sculpture shaped like a bean & allowing for views from its many mirrored sides. The Art Institute of Chicago (19 min)
Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (19 min)
Home & studio of the famed Prairie-style architect, with guided tours focused on his early career. Grant Park (16 min)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions. Field Museum (17 min)
State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. Millennium Park (20 min)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective Bean sculpture & an outdoor theater. Skydeck Chicago (16 min)
103rd floor of the former Sears Tower with clear observation boxes & views extending to four states. Adler Planetarium (20 min)
Interactive exhibits & high-tech sky shows entertain stargazers, lakefront views are a bonus. Navy Pier (22 min)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks. 875 North Michigan Avenue (23 min)
Skyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink. Crown Fountain (19 min)
Public sculpture with a pair of 50-ft. LED towers & a reflecting pool, by Jaume Plensa, a Catalan. Buckingham Fountain (19 min)
Among the world’s largest, Grant Park’s 3-level rococo fountain (1927) offers light & water shows. | 
