South of the Loop, Chicago

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies is Chicago's Jewish education and cultural center. It houses a comprehensive collection of more than 10,000 artifacts and artworks related to Jewish history and culture. The ARTiFACT center is a "hands-on" archeological exhibit for children. Aside from the permanent collection and the ongoing Zell Holocaust Memorial, the museum also hosts a regular program of rotating exhibits.On the fourth floor, an interactive Children's Center (designed with the artistic team of Redmoon Theater) focuses on the building blocks of literacy: letters, language, and storytelling. The evocative setting includes cloudscapes, night skies, and hands-on activities such as climbing tubes, mazes, and kinetic sculptures designed to introduce young visitors to the unique role of storytelling in the Jewish tradition. A special resource center is available for parents and teachers. The Children's Center at Spertus is open only for private events and by reservation.

Dearborn Station is the city's oldest railroad station. Now lovingly restored and protected as a national monument, it is a popular and photogenic meeting-place, with a variety of attractive shops and restaurants.It was designed by architect Cyrus L. W. Eidlitz and built in 1885. It closed in 1971 and suffered a number of years of neglect but was revitalized in the 1980s.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography presents a variety of photographic images that focus on Americans since 1936. The permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 photographs and photographic-related objects.