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| Chicago Chicago is the pulse of America, the kind of town that won't let you down. The heartland's business hub is a cultural giant, with world-class museums, theaters, concert halls and restaurants. Hugging the windy shores of Lake Michigan, the city's famous Loop is a stimulating drive, chock full of sensational shopping opportunities and innovative architecture. Since it's also the home of urban blues, the Bulls, Wrigley Field and Oprah Winfrey, there are plenty of reasons to explore Chicago and see what this gem has to offer. Suggested Driving Tour DAY 1 Terra Museum of American Art Jazz Record Mart Bucktown DAY 2 Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
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Terra Museum of American Art Chicago is celebrated for its great museums of fine art, archaeology, history, science and industry, but the Terra flies under the radar. Set your inner (or actual) GPS for North Michigan Avenue, a.k.a. Magnificent Mile. This shopping mecca is also home to a beautifully designed, vital and idiosyncratic art museum housing the considerable collection of Daniel J. Terra. This local tycoon was an avid buyer of distinctive American paintings, photographs, sculpture and drawings, accumulating over 700 works. Through October 31st, an exhibit called "A Narrative of American Art" traces our country's 200-year history in art, featuring such groundbreakers as James Whistler, Winslow Homer and Georgia O'Keeffe. 664 North Michigan Avenue, (312) 664-3939. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP 
Jazz Record Mart Continue south on North Michigan Avenue and go west to North Wabash, about two minutes away, to behold recordings you never even dreamed existed. Jazz Record Mart is a treasure trove of jazz, blues, world-beat music and rare imports. The chains seem downright spotty after flipping through the killer collections here. The staff knows their stuff, and listening stations are available so you don't have to buy blind - think High Fidelity, the John Cusack movie filmed in Chicago. Essential new and vintage titles, box sets and soundtracks share space with music memorabilia, posters and T-shirts. Both touring and local jazz acts often make in-store appearances and play sets on a small stage. There's no other store like it in the world. 444 North Wabash Avenue, (312) 222-1467. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Bucktown The junction of Milwaukee, Damen and North Avenues is the epicenter of Bucktown, a super-hip playground packed with savvy shops, stylish restaurants and avant-garde nightclubs. The rehabbed neighborhood is a magnet for artists, musicians, media types and clever, unconventional designers, making it an unparalleled stop for people-watching. Take the Kennedy Expressway to North Avenue and you'll soon be drawn in by the parade of cutting-edge galleries and quirky architecture. Don't miss the Flat Iron Arts Building (1579 N. Milwaukee Avenue), a Chicago landmark, where dozens of artists and theater performers ply their trades and often hold festivals. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Oak Park, a 10-mile drive west of the Chicago Loop, is worth a day trip for anyone curious about Nobel laureate Ernest Hemingway and premier architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Take a gander at Hemingway's handsome boyhood home at 600 North Kenilworth and motor on to Wright's inspiring residence of 20 years on Chicago Avenue. Visitors can learn fascinating details about this visionary at his earth-toned home and lab, where he developed many of his revolutionary ideas about design. Close by are 13 other classic Frank Lloyd Wright residences, the world's largest concentration. Guided tours of their exteriors are offered on weekends. 951 Chicago Avenue, (708) 848-1976. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
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