• Venture beyond the downtown skyline for a native's version of Chicago.downtown chicago image by Gary from Fotolia.com
  
  Like most big cities, Chicago offers an overwhelming abundance of choices for fun things to do, only a few of which you will find in guidebooks. If it's your first time in the city, check out the major tourist attractions. If you have more time, or have already seen the touristy things on previous visits, check out the off-the-beaten-tourist-path version of Chicago by taking some of these tips from a longtime resident of the Windy City.
  
  

Ethnic Neighborhoods

• Chicago's population includes a diverse range of ethnic groups, some of whom have staked out corners of the city for their own. One fun way to spend the day is visiting the India-town neighborhood along West Devon Avenue. Come for lunch, and enjoy one of the many Indian buffets available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions at different restaurants. Afterward, walk off a few calories by strolling along Devon, and stop in at a couple of sari shops. Visit one of the neighborhood's beauty salons and you'll find they offer a special service you can't get at every corner beauty parlor: mehndi painting. Sit and talk with your friends as you have your hands (or feet or midriff) painted with fabulous intricate designs in henna.
  
  If you've worked up a hunger again, stop at a snack shop and enjoy some intensely sweet orange-colored jelabi or some mango or coconut ice cream. For dinner, check out another world cuisine by visiting Chicago's Greek Town, Korea Town or China Town (Chicago has two of these, one on the north side, another on the south side).
  
  

Specialty Bookstores

• If you love to read, one of the things you'll appreciate about a big city is the choice of small independent bookstores catering to different groups and interests. Check out Women and Children First on North Clark Street; the Prairie Avenue Bookshop on Wabash south of the Loop area for architecture books; Quimby's in Bucktown for zines as well as books on tattoos and fetishes; or Myopic Books in Wicker Park for used books. Most of these stores offer readings and other special events and are located just steps from restaurants or bars if you want to peruse your purchases with over a beverage or meal.
  
  

Lincoln Park

• If you visit Chicago while the weather is reasonably warm, visit Lincoln Park to enjoy an extensive urban green space. The pathways along Lake Michigan are usually full of people riding bikes, jogging or rollerblading. You can join in, or just sit and people watch. The Lincoln Park Zoo has no admission fee if you feel like watching a polar bear, snow leopard, fruit bat or host of other zoo critters instead of humans.