Take in the view from the sky-high heights of the Willis Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States. From the 103rd floor, look out over 4 states and the Windy City's urban sprawl, and then test your vertigo on a glass balcony to peer down at the streets and skyscrapers of Chicago beneath your feet.

Step into an elevator and be whisked to new heights in just 60 seconds, waiting for the ear-popping sensation as you ascend to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower. Standing 1,353 feet (412 m) above the Midwest metropolis, the Willis Tower’s steel-framed structure was specifically designed to withstand the city's infamous wind—you may even feel a slight sway if visiting during a blustery spell.

From this elevated vantage point, marvel at a panorama that stretches to include 4 neighboring states and the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan. Scan Chicago's iconic skyline, and venture out onto The Ledge—a glass balcony extending from the tower's façade. From this vantage point, it's the skyscrapers that are looking up at you.

Once you've taken in the cloud-level vistas, snag a seat for a showing of Reaching for the Sky, a short movie that traces the Chicago's rise to the top of the architectural world. After the flick, spend some time engaging with the digital floor displays and fascinating trivia games before heading back to ground level.

What sprung from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition now stands as Chicago's Field Museum. Its neo-Classical buildings are stocked with more than 25 million artifacts—some up to 4.6 billion years old. This vast collection of fascinating relics exhilarates history buffs and curious novices alike.

The museum's main attraction is Sue, the world's largest, best-preserved, and most complete T. rex ever discovered. Purchased for more than 8 million dollars in 1997, the remarkable fossil stands 13 feet (4 m) tall and 42 feet (13 m) long. Enjoy a photo opportunity under her stunted arms and marvel at the mural depicting her as she lived.

As you take in the massive dinosaurs, ancient gems, and stunning taxidermy, stroll toward Ancient Egypt for floor-to-ceiling hieroglyphs, mummified cats, and an authentic Pharaonic tomb. Then discover the Evolving Planet exhibit, a journey through the past 4 billion years of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to modern city dwellers.

Other highlights include the Hall of Jades, which explores China's prehistoric past and its enduring empire with more than 400 objects on display; the Grainger Hall of Gems, a breathtaking collection of hard-to-find stones and expertly crafted jewelry; and Restoring Earth, an investigation by leading scientists into wilderness conservation.

Spend the day lingering over one of the finest collections of art in the world at The Art Institute of Chicago. Download the mobile experience, with audio tours and a location-aware map to help you plot a course through the museum’s 1 million square feet of exhibit space, the second largest in the country, which showcases 300,000 works of art. The Ryan Learning Center offers free art-making for kids, as well as Journey Maker, a new digital interactive tool that allows your family create their own tour of the museum.

The Art Institute boasts the largest collection of impressionist art outside of Paris. Ponder the mesmerizing landscape of Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and peer into the 19th-century before Gustav Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day. In the American collection, marvel at iconic works like the Nighthawks diner scene by Edward Hopper and the Midwestern farmer and daughter depicted in Grant Wood’s American Gothic.

Grab a bite to eat at one of the museum's 3 restaurants if you need a break, and be sure to stop in one of the 2 gift shops for an art-inspired souvenir.

Within Grant Park

Aka the bean

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area.

See a Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field

See a game at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox