Chicago is not without its share of spectacular landmarks. It's a sight-seers Mecca for sure.

During this trip, I tried to waltz past as many pieces of public art as I could. This is not too hard to do when you start your day coming up out of a Loop subway exit.

Centrally located in the Loop, near each of the government buildings, set various hard-to-miss sculptures. Calder's vibrant red arches of steel. Picasso's enigmatic character. Miro's figure of stacked shapes. DeBuffet's freeform cluster of white outlined blobs.

The Loop, too, holds several signs of interest. The most significant one is the marquee of the historic Chicago Theater. Across the street is a more recent attention-grabber, a pulsing electronic ribbon demarking the Channel 7 news studio.

Grant Park, immediately east of the Loop, hosts a number of "must-sees" on Chicago's tourism check-list. At it's heart is Buckingham fountain, a magnificent sight when lofting spray into the air. Moving north, along the Michigan Avenue border, one enconters a pair of regal lions standing guard to the world-famous Art Institute.

A new addition to the area, Millennium Park, shows off the city's latest crowd-drawing attractions. On one walk, I explored a shallow pool with two large upright boxes, each displaying the video image of a face. Next to that was the Cloud Gate, an enormous chrome bean that reflected the city skyline and awe-struck passers-by.

Capping the northern end of park district is a remarkable ampitheater, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. I find it's post-modern design both beautiful and exciting.

Further up along the lakefront is a favorite source of entertainment for both visitors and citizens, Navy Pier. It's gigantic ferris wheel becons to potential passengers. So do the Imax theater and rows of tour boats that line its length.