Illustration: Velckro
Chicago has long been America's best life-size skyscraper museum— but construction hasn't ended. "We've undertaken the most extensive infrastructure program in the nation," mayor Rahm Emanuel says. The latest example: replacing the Wells Street Bridge (right), a historic but deteriorating steel span over the Chicago River. Acting chief bridge engineer Johnny Morcos calls the operation a cross between open-heart surgery (shut down an artery that supports cars, trains, and pedestrians) and a tire change (hoist in a replacement). His team had just two nine-day windows to do it. The new bridge opens in November, connecting the startup scene of River North to the rest of the city.
EAT Says mayor Rahm Emanuel: "Uncommon Ground holds the title of World's Greenest Restaurant. It has the nation's first organic rooftop farm, and all the vegetables and herbs grown there appear on the menu. Pick up lunch at one of our food trucks using the Chicago Food Truck Finder app. One of my favorites is the (1) Tamale Spaceship, which features authentic Mexican cuisine."
SHOP Known as the "spoiler store," the only (2) Threadless retail space stocks new designs three days before they appear online. Meanwhile, Doctor Who figurines and mini marshmallow—shaped Yetis line the shelves at the designer toy store (3) Rotofugi.
DO At (4) Robot-City Workshop, build your own souvenir or just enjoy being served beer and popcorn by robots.
SEE From old bone-crushers to an iron lung, the (5) International Museum of Surgical Science is graphic and fascinating. In November, the (6) Adler Planetarium transforms into the world's largest snow globe by projecting snow in its 360-degree theater. In late October, the (7) Field Museum is opening its 1893 World's Fair vault for a revealing look at Chicago history and science.
- ### The Next Steve Jobs
