Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

For a look at what (or who) makes the city tick, check out the following activities.

Black & White & Read All Over

Chicago Tribune Freedom Center. Tour the Chicago Tribune's printing plant and the New York Times' Midwest distribution center. 777 W. Chicago Ave., West Loop. 312/222-3040. Free, but there are no regular tours and you must call ahead.

Movers & Shakers

Graceland Cemetery. A comprehensive guide available at the entrance walks you by the graves and tombs of the people who made Chicago great, including merchandiser Marshall Field and railroad-car builder George Pullman. 4001 N. Clark St., Far North Side. 773/525-1105. www.gracelandcemetery.org. Free.

See Green

Federal Reserve Bank. Though they don't hand out money here, they sure do handle a lot of the green stuff. The facility processes currency and checks, scanning bills for counterfeits, destroying unfit currency, and repackaging fit currency. A visitor center in the lobby has permanent exhibits of old bills, counterfeit money, and a million dollars in $1 bills. One-hour tours explain how money travels and show a high-speed currency-processing machine. Call in advance for tour reservations, since it's often booked in spring and fall with school groups. 230 S. LaSalle St., Loop. 312/322-2400. www.chicagofed.org. Free.

Tour a Factory

Though Chicago isn't the industrial center it once was, you can still watch all sorts of things being made in the Chicago area, from cheesecakes to harps. Log on to www.factorytoursusa.com for a complete list.