The Bahai Temple is one of ten in the world and is the oldest house of worship for the faith. Architect Louis Bourgeois designed the highly detailed structure for the Bahai in 1903 which features a 138-foot dome covered in lace-style carvings surrounded by gardens and a pool. Symbols of many religions are etched into the pillars’ intricate patterns including a crescent moon, a Star of David, and a cross. A sacred number for Bahai is nine, which was incorporated into the architecture and design—there are nine pillars, nine entrances, nine fountains, and nine-pointed stars.

It’s hard to miss the Green Mill’s flashy, neon sign. The Uptown cocktail lounge originally opened in 1907 and its name pays tribute to the well-known Moulin Rouge (meaning Red Mill) of Paris. It is known for jazz performances, poetry slams, and its connections to Chicago gangster Al Capone. Head here to be transported back to the ’30s and ’40s club scene amidst the Art Deco decor.

Built in 1929, the Music Box is one of only a handful of Chicago’s original movie houses to survive through the decades relatively unchanged. The main auditorium features whimsical Mediterranean-inspired architecture under a simulated inky night sky complete with twinkling stars and projected clouds. The Lakeview destination is one of the city’s top venues for enjoying foreign, independent, experimental, and classic cinema hosts a number of film festivals each year.

The Hideout opened in 1934 in a 100-year-old, balloon-frame house as a bar for everyday folk, and now is an institution beloved by devoted music misfits. Its name wasn’t chosen, but given by its patrons. The music venue is best described with its own words: “A clandestine destination with a guaranteed good time,” and “the last hold-out of the rebel club.” In addition to music, the venue hosts live podcasts, interviews, and fundraisers like Soup & Bread.

Located one block east of the historic Water Tower, Chicago’s MCA is one of the world's largest contemporary art venues. It also has a stylish restaurant, Marisol, a popular design-focus gift shop, and a peaceful outdoor courtyard. Two notable exhibits open through winter include “The Shape of the Future” which examines modernist disasters, dreams, and histories of the built environment and “Routes and Territories” which looks at stories of human migration.

Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is a must-see site for fans of the famous architect and his influential Prairie School of design. Operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, the museum offers regular guided tours and serves as a starting point for walking tours of the surrounding Oak Park historic district.

The Chicago Cultural Center is an impressive, historic building downtown that’s free and open to the public. It was used as Chicago’s first central library in 1897 and now operates as a community space and exhibition hall. While the Chicago Architecture Biennial is over, there are many other happenings through winter. The University of Chicago hosts a lecture series here, there’s a Latino film festival, and a kids music program.

The 20-acre downtown park was completed in 2014 and designed by the premier landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. Enter through Grant Park and cross over the winding, snake-like pedestrian bridge into playgrounds, winding pathways, rock climbing walls, an ice-skating ribbon, tennis courts, and gardens. Here, you’ll get some of the best views of the downtown skyline, too.

The Art Institute is massive and it’ll be exhausting if you try to see it all in one day. First timers should see The Modern Wing and the Impressionist paintings, it’s one of the finest and largest collections in the world. If you’ve got a little more time, take a peek at the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room. The original was demolished in 1972, but the Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler designed room was rebuilt here in 1977 with elaborate stenciled decorations, molded plaster, and art glass—some of which was preserved and reused in this replica.

The 18-mile Lakefront Trail is one of the best ways to enjoy Chicago, even in winter. For one, you’ll be able to find some peace and quiet (during the summer the trail is packed). When it gets cold enough, you might find twisty ice sculptures formed by the wind and Lake Michigan waves. There are separate bike and pedestrian lanes, nature preserves, parks, and beaches all along the lakefront.

The Harold Washington Library on the southern end of the Loop isn’t just the anchor of the Chicago Public Libraries system, but it’s also one of the city’s finest examples of postmodern architecture. It’s a wild building with elaborate cornices with five 12-foot owls, striking red brick, enormous arched windows, and an impressive skylight. Head up to the ninth floor for the Winter Garden, an enclosed sunlit atrium.

The Auditorium Theatre is one of a kind. It was built in 1889 by architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler (who were mentoring a young Frank Lloyd Wright at the time). The building is remarkable for its construction, elaborate detail, and acoustic perfection. If you can’t see a performance in the rich space, there are a few tours throughout the week where you can learn more.

Explore the stars, planets, and solar systems at the country’s first planetarium. The Doane Observatory has one of the largest aperture telescope available to the public and after-hours events where visitors can see the Moon, Jupiter, or Saturn. The view from the Art Deco building isn’t just about the sky—looking back at the city from this far out is pretty spectacular too.

Soldier Field has lot more than just football happening on its field. There are concerts, soccer matches, rugby games, and many other events. The stadium offers tours where you’ll be able to get a first-hand look at the historic exterior and controversial modernist interior. Plus, the home of the Bears is right on the lakefront near museum campus with beautiful views of the downtown.

Near South Side’s historic Prairie District, the Glessner House is an important commission—influencing the works of architects such as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. Built in 1887, when Victorian homes were popular, the Henry Hobson Richardson design featured a courtyard and a strong visual emphasis on the horizontal. This National Historic Landmark now operates as a non-profit museum.

Chinatown’s oval-shaped public library opened in 2015 and has quickly become a neighborhood landmark. Designed by Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, the structure sports dramatic vertical fins and a clear glass curtain wall that creates a lantern-like appearance at night. Drawing inspiration from the immediate community, the 16,000-square-foot building references traditional Feng Shui design cues throughout its interior. More than just a place to check-out books, the library also acts as an information hub for anyone looking to learn more about Chicago’s charismatic and growing Chinatown community.

Created in 1922, the Morton Arboretum grew from the original estate of Joy Morton in 1910, conservationist and founder of Chicago’s famous Morton Salt Company. Located in Lisle, Illinois (about a 30-minute drive or Metra train ride), this 1,700-acre “living museum” features native trees and rare imported species. Within the grounds is a Danish artist’s installation consisting of giant, wooden trolls from European folklore which kids can hunt for through the trees.

This museum is located within Washington Park, which is a sprawling, historic open space. At the museum, visitors can explore one of the world’s largest and oldest collections of African and African American collections, texts, histories and culture. Harold Washington, Chicago’s 42nd mayor, has a permanent exhibit about his legacy.

Originally built in 1923, this William Gibbons Uffendell-designed bank found new purpose as a gallery, media archive, library, and community center after the Rebuild Foundation and Theaster Gates radically restored the deteriorating structure. The Stony Island Arts building is important cultural hub for the South Side—housing artists in residence, hosting Black Cinema House film screening, and providing access to notable collections. The archive contains the archive of Johnson Publishing, publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines, and over 60,000 University of Chicago glass lantern slides of art and architectural history.

After the former country club experienced a decline, the Chicago Park District purchased the estate for about $9.8 million in 1975. For the first time, stucco-clad Mediterranean Revival building was able to show off its Classical plaster details and grand crystal chandeliers to the general public. The landmark represents a style of architecture that is rare in Chicago and so in the same year it sold to the city, it also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue now houses art and dance studios, a gallery, a golf course, gardens, a beach, and a banquet hall.