There's a possibility I may accompany my husband on a business trip to Chicago in early December. If so, I will have time on my own during the day, and yes, I realize it will be cold!

With that in mind, any suggestions for activities and/or sights to see on my own that won't involve being outdoors? I've been there a couple of times in the past, but it was during better weather (did the CAC river tour, etc.). Will likely be staying in downtown-loop-river north area.

Art Institute
Museum of Science & Industry
Field Museum
Shedd Aquarium

Read the destinations section on Fodors for more ideas.

abram, thanks for your response. I do have some of those places on my list.

I don't think I expressed my question very well (wouldn't be the 1st time!). I was also considering something along the lines of a bus tour that would take you to some interesting sights, so at least you're warm most of the time. I've done some research and see some different companies (ex. Gray Line), but was hoping for some personal recommendations.

Thank you.

The Chicago Architectural Foundation, which has excellent walking tours, also has several bus tours - check their website. I know that one of them is a Frank Lloyd Wright tour of Oak Park.

As another museum idea, the Chicago Historical Society has a museum, or is a museum. Anyway, right now they have an exhibition of dresses and gowns owned by a prominent socialite of the late 1800s. I'm going to be in Chicago this weekend, and hope to visit.

The Art Institute and the public library have daytime lecture series - you might be interested in some of those.

Thanks, Lexma90 for this addition information. I always thought of the boat tour when thinking of the CAF--hadn't occurred to me they also had other types of tours.

Your other suggestions together with abram's are also very much appreciated.

I have a correction, though - I realized it over the weekend, while in Chicago. The lecture series is not at the library, it's at the cultural center (which, some time ago, WAS the library). And the Chicago Historical Society is now called the Chicago Historical Museum.

DS and I took the Architecture Foundation's Downtown Deco tour; it was very interesting. And even though it was chilly outside, we often went into building lobbies, so we got a chance to warm up inside a bit.