All of this makes it a splendid site for an array of art exhibitions, concerts, films, lectures, and other special events, many of them free. A long-standing tradition is the 12:15pm Dame Myra Hess Memorial classical concert every Wednesday in the Preston Bradley Hall. The free concerts, little gems unknown even to most Chicagoans, feature young, talented performers--often university or conservatory students. Though woefully underattended, they make for a tranquil, tension-reducing midday escape from the madhouse Loop mere footsteps away. Other ongoing programs include a monthly cultural festival--which highlights a different city or country over a weekend with art, theater, and film--and a magazine-format variety show on Sundays at noon that's hosted by Chicago Tribune reporter Rick Kogan.

The building also houses one of the Chicago Office of Tourism's Visitor Centers, which makes it an ideal place to kick-start your visit, and the highly enjoyable Museum of Broadcast Communications. In the corridor leading to the broadcast museum is another permanent exhibition, "Landmark Chicago Gallery," with photographs and artifacts from some of the city's architectural treasures. Guided architectural tours of the Cultural Center are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 1:45pm. For information, call 312/744-8032. The ground floor on the Randolph Street side of the Cultural Center houses a bakery cafe.