A plaque marks a former safe house on the secret route, now hidden next to a McDonald's.

This overgrown Illinois water park offers a whole new type of adventure.

This botanical garden outside Chicago boasts an array of more than 300 varieties of lilacs.

People escaping slavery passed through the oldest house in Lombard, Illinois on their northbound journey to freedom.

Cold War missile launch site which has been converted to a public park.

A bloodstain from "the wound of the transverberation of the heart."

Nonprofit art center that promotes outsider, intuitive, and self-taught art.

An eccentric park and pool.

Once an ornate movie theater remade by Catholic Charities.

Landmark Chicago building narrowly avoided destruction.

A Chicago Movie Palace Lost to Time.

Internationally known record store and purveyor of "dusties."

Theater has had many different incarnations but has survived the ravages of time.

Where old school Polish Chicago and young hipster Chicago live side by side.

Odd, decrepit fountain honors Chicago author who had mixed feelings about his hometown.

The faint remains of a Polish news empire still linger.

This shop for all your super spy needs hides an educational secret.

Combination beer garden and music venue in the heart of Wicker Park.

A European-style bath house in Chicago.

Beloved bar home to musicians of all eras and reputations.

Orthodox church partially financed by Tsar Nicolas II.

These mansions date back to Chicago's days as a brewer's paradise.

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.

The beloved home to all publications indie, erotic, and punky.