| . the nearest metra station with access to downtown chicago is within 6 minutes' walk. open since 1926, this quaint inn is housed in a landmark oak park building that was the former home of ernest hemingway, whose birthplace and museum is 1 block away. some rooms offer microwaves and minifridges. the eclectic rooms are decorated with antiques from the 1920s and have free wifi, private bathrooms, coffeemakers and cable tv. suites add such extras as separate living areas, whirlpool tubs and/or kitchens. perks include a french restaurant, laundry facilities and free parking
O'Hare International Airport 30 min
Cloud Gate (22 min)
Huge outdoor sculpture shaped like a bean & allowing for views from its many mirrored sides. Brookfield Zoo (16 min)
Lions, tigers, dolphins & more frolic in natural indoor & outdoor settings at this wildlife park. Wrigley Field (33 min)
Ivy-covered walls & manual scoreboard add retro charm to 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the majors. Skydeck Chicago (19 min)
103rd floor of the former Sears Tower with clear observation boxes & views extending to four states. Navy Pier (25 min)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks. 875 North Michigan Avenue (25 min)
Skyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink. Lincoln Park Zoo (28 min)
Small, free zoo with lions, primates, reptiles, a children's area & an interactive farm exhibit. Field Museum (24 min)
State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. Shedd Aquarium (25 min)
State-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan. Millennium Park (22 min)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective Bean sculpture & an outdoor theater. Grant Park (21 min)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions. Adler Planetarium (26 min)
Interactive exhibits & high-tech sky shows entertain stargazers, lakefront views are a bonus. The Art Institute of Chicago (21 min)
Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (10 min)
Home & studio of the famed Prairie-style architect, with guided tours focused on his early career. Buckingham Fountain (22 min)
Among the world’s largest, Grant Park’s 3-level rococo fountain (1927) offers light & water shows. | 
