Magnificent Mile, Chicago

The John Hancock Center, an 1125ft/343m high tower tapering towards the top, which has something of the appearance of a pit winding station, was completed in 1970 to the design of the renowned SOM firm of architects (architect B. Graham, constructor F. Kahn). Its cross-braced steel structure has a facing of oxidised aluminium with a slightly reflective surface. There is an observatory on the 94th floor with magnificent panoramic views. Two 345ft/105m high telecommunications aerials are found on the roof.The building contains a variety of shops, offices and apartments. It's plaza features sculptures, waterfalls and seating which attracts people.

Billing itself as "one of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time," the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago houses a diverse collection of post-war, provocative paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos and films. It also presents performances in its 300-seat theater.Some of the notable pieces in the permanent collection include works by Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, Rene Magritte and Chicago and regional artists Ed Paschke and Jim Nutt. The collection is particularly strong in the surrealist movement of the 40s and 50s, 1960s minimalism, modern installation pieces and works by Chicago-based artists.The museum was founded in 1967 in a small building on Ontario Street but moved to a more modern and spacious facility in 1996. The new building overlooks Lake Michigan and was designed by Berlin architect Josef Paul Kleihues.

The Wrigley Building is another of Chicago's architectural landmarks. It is a 32-story tower in French Renaissance style built for the chewing-gum firm in 1924.It was modeled after the Giralda Tower of the cathedral in Seville, Spain. The building is finished with glazed terra cotta, giving it a distinct shade of white. There are two sections to the Wrigley Building, which are connected by walkways at street level and between the third floors. Aside from being the headquarters of the Wrigley Company, the building houses the offices of manufacturing firms, newspaper and magazine publishers, advertising agencies, marketing and public relations firms, a bank and foreign consulates. It is lit up each night by a bank of powerful floodlights, making this building one of the most recognizable in the city.

Built between 1922 and 1925, Tribune Tower was the home of the Pulitzer Prize winning Chicago Tribune. The tower was designed by architects Raymond M. Hood and John Mead Howells, who won an international design competition held by the paper. It is based on the Gothic, French cathedral of Rouen, and features flying buttresses and numerous gargoyles. The walls of the Tower's base sport rocks from famous buildings and monuments around the world, like the Great Wall of China, Westminster Abbey, the Parthenon and Taj Mahal. They were collected over the years by the Tribune correspondents.

Water Tower Place is a multi-use, 74-story building located next door to Chicago's historic Water Tower. There are eight levels with more than 100 shops, numerous restaurants, boutiques and entertainment facilities. Included among the shops in the complex are Marshall Field's and Lord & Taylor stores. Water Tower place is generally credited with luring the retail business away from State Street, and establishing the Magnificent Mile as the new commercial powerhouse. The rest of the floors are occupied by luxury condominiums.

The 205ft/62m high Water Tower and the Pumping Station across from it were the only buildings in this area to survive the devastating fire of 1871. They were designed by architect W. W. Boyington in 1867 and constructed of Joliet limestone in 1869. The buildings were modeled on a medieval fortress and celebrate castellated Gothic style. After the fire, both buildings became symbols of the City's drive to rebuild and start afresh. The tourist information office and "Here's Chicago", a multi-media show about the city, is located in the preserved facility.

The Chicago Antique Market is located in the Randolph Street Market District and is home to over 200 dealers offering everything from housewares, jewelry, and toys to furniture and vintage artifacts.

The Terra Museum of American Art closed in October, 2004. The foundation will still provide a regular program of traveling exhibits and educational workshops and lectures.

The McCormick Freedom Project presents interactive exhibits that help visitors better understand freedom and the First Amendment.