While the grandeur of the Columbian Exposition is now just a footnote in Chicago’s history, Jackson Park hasn’t faded away. The park may be still and quiet, but the magic lingers.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses do not look like the hand-in-hand paper doll chains of repetition you find on suburban streets across America today.

Hyde Park houses four prominent bookstores, The Seminary Co-Op, 57th Street Books, O’Gara and Wilson Ltd, and Powell’s. I went to figure out why they needed four.

The Woodlawn Tap merits a visit whether the temperature outside is ten degrees or a hundred. While the outside of the bar is nothing much to look at, what it lacks in flair is made up for in spades by the interior.

Perhaps the city’s most enchanting feature, Promontory Point Park opened to the public in 1937. It exists as a place where Chicago can be picked up, turned around, flipped upside down and seen all over again with new eyes.

Spend an entire day exploring this interactive science museum with historic permanent collections and innovative temporary exhibits.