MORNING
Because Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood has flourished in both dining and culture within the last five years, you can plan your entire day there. Start it at the Bongo Room, 1152 S. Wabash Ave. (312-291-0100).
This is the Wicker Park room’s new offshoot, but it still serves such favorites as the breakfast burrito and Oreo cookie pancakes.
You can walk off the meal by heading down Roosevelt Road to the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive (312-922-9410). Starting Oct. 22 is the new exhibit “Pompeii: Stories From an Eruption,” which features artifacts from that long-ago disaster.
Because you’re in the neighborhood, you can then head over for a little stargazing at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive (312-922-STAR).
One interesting weekend show is “SonicVision,” a digitally animated alternative music-and-light show in the dome-shaped StarRider Theater, with tunes from David Bowie, Moby, Coldplay, Brian Eno and others.
AFTERNOON
You can get lost most of the day at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, 1801 S. Indiana Ave. (312-326-0270). There you can find more than 800 works created by veterans, including paintings, sculptures, photos, poetry and artifacts.
Because you’re on the premises, stay and eat at Cafe Society (312-842-4210), the museum’s small restaurant, where for lunch you can get quiches, Mexican dishes, hamburgers, steaks, juices and more, all made to order.
EVENING
You can’t go wrong with the array of restaurants in the South Loop offering a variety of meals. None are more than a few blocks from each other.
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Dying for Italian? There’s Gioco, 1312 S. Wabash Ave. (312-939-3870). Looking for upscale pan-Asian? Try Gioco’s sister, Opera, across the street at 1301 S. Wabash Ave. (312-461-0161).
In the mood for an old-fashioned steak? Beat a path to the Chicago Firehouse, 1401 S. Michigan Ave. (312-786-1401). Can’t decide what you’re up for? Check out the eclectic menu of Solo, 1530 S. State St. (312-567-9840).
Finally, get your groove on (or whatever these kids are labeling their dancing these days) at the Cotton Club, 1710 S. Michigan Ave. (312-341-9787).
For $10, you can jam to live music Fridays and Saturdays, and if reggae gets your mojo working, it’s fresh on Sundays.
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