On Dec. 19, 1929,on a small peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan, the city of Chicago opened the John G. Shedd Aquarium, a gift from John Graves Shedd. At the time, it was the largest aquarium in the world.

Over the last ten years, the aquarium has been extensively restored. The Caribbean Reef exhibit was updated, with the rotunda in which it sits restored to all its Beaux Arts splendor—including the massive skylight, which was painted over for decades. The ornate rotunda clock, which marks the hours with aquatic animals instead of numbers, was finally repaired after sitting idle for over 15 years.

Much of this work was spurred by the overwhelming success of the latest addition to Shedd Aquarium, the Oceanarium, completed in 1991.

Every Tuesday, Shedd offers a full day of activities created especially for preschoolers. “Tots on Tuesdays” includes story times, crafts, animal touch programs, videos, costumed characters, dancing and singing. Themed activities are changed every eight weeks, providing fun new educational experiences throughout the year. “Tots on Tuesdays” programs are designed for children ages 3 through 5, but younger and older children can enjoy them, too.

Ruth Reichl, editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, along with a team of gourmet critics, visited restaurants across the country anonymously to create a list of “The Best 50 Restaurants in the United States.” Three Chicago locations made the list, among them Blackbird, an austerely chic contemporary-American restaurant on the West Side’s restaurant row.

The atmosphere is stylish, spare, and high-tech, offering little in the way of elbow-room. Blackbird is also not the place for a quiet, romantic dinner, as the noise in the crowded space can rise to near-punishing levels. But for people who enjoy eating well while being seen in Chicago’s “hot” locations, Blackbird will definitely have appeal.

Chef Paul Kahan offers a sophisticated blend of French and American influences in dishes that are creative but uncontrived. The wine list is stronger on reds than on whites. Desserts range from sorbets to rich chocolate mousse cake, but tend to be on the small side.

The restaurant offers both outdoor dining and private rooms, as well as valet parking. Reservations are recommended.

Harry’s Velvet Room, at 56 W. Illinois, is not a place for kids—whether they’re of drinking age or not.

This subterranean cigar-bar-turned-champagne/dessert-lounge is a swank yet mellow night-spot for fashionable grownups with money to spare. It’s a great location for a quiet first date, with an elegant ambience featuring rich hardwood floors, leather seats, and candlelit tables.

The $10 cover Harry’s charges on weekends doesn’t thin the crowd much—if you’re driving, we recommend that you splurge for valet parking and save yourself some time and trouble. The extensive drink menu is pricey, but not out of line for the area—well drinks start at about $4—and features over 30 different martinis and a nice variety of wines, champagnes and liquors.

Harry’s Velvet Room made the list of “Top Ten Places to Take a First Date in Chicago” on www.partydigest.com.