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In Chicago, you'll find plenty of art, architecture, history and music to fill your days and nights, and most of the city's sights are accessible. In fact, thanks to the efforts of a very active disabled community, local tourism providers have worked hard to make Chicago a very appealing destination for wheelers and slow walkers.

The best way to get your feet wet in Chicago is to schedule a Chicago Greeter tour. Introduced in 2002, this unique program pairs local volunteers with visitors for customized city tours. And best of all, it's absolutely free — the tour guides can't even accept tips.

Visitors are matched with a greeter based on their specific interests and needs. A typical walking tour lasts two to four hours and is conducted on public transportation. Because of the individualized nature of this service, accessible tours are available. Just fill out the on-line registration form and include information about your access needs. Plan ahead, as this is a very popular program, and tours must be requested at least seven days in advance.

If you're an architecture buff, don't miss the free Loop Tour Train. This excellent 40-minute architecture tour focuses on the history of the 170-year-old downtown area and the ‘L' train system. The train circles the Loop three times, while a docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation points out highlights along the way. Tours depart every Saturday at 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M. from the Randolph and Wabash Chicago Transit Authority station.

Free tickets are available at the Chicago Office of Tourism Visitor Information Center (77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue) on the day of the tour. They are issued on a first come basis beginning at 9:00 A.M. The Loop Tour Train is wheelchair accessible, and guests requiring access (including slow walkers who cannot climb stairs) should ask for directions to the accessible boarding area. The tour is available every summer, from May until the end of September.

No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. Billed as one of the great museums of the world, this massive institution features an ever-expanding collection of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, textiles, photographs and architectural drawings. The impressive collection spans over 5,000 years of artistic expression and includes pieces from around the world.

Access is excellent throughout the museum with level access at the Michigan Avenue entrance, barrier-free access to all galleries, accessible restrooms and elevator access to all floors. Plan to spend the entire day at this Chicago favorite as there's lots to see.

Although there's no shortage of cultural attractions in Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History is a local favorite. It's the home to Sue, the newest dinosaur discovered in the US. Sue's massive skeleton measures 13 feet high and 42 feet long and is considered to be the largest, most complete and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil every discovered. It's worth the price of admission alone. The museum also features a large permanent collection and hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on animals, plants, ecosystems, rocks and fossils from around the world.

Access features include a level entry, barrier-free access to all exhibits, accessible restrooms, manual wheelchairs for loan at the front desk and elevator access to all floors. If you need a quiet place to rest during your visit, just ask any employee for access to the Customer Care Center. Located on the north side of the main level, it's a good place to take a break, administer an injection or perform a minor medical procedure. Truly the folks at the Field Museum of Natural History thought of everything.

Finally, for a very accessible place to rest your head, check out the Hotel Sax. Located in the heart of downtown, this property makes an excellent base for a Chicago visit as it's within easy rolling distance of accessible public transportation, the downtown sights and the Chicago Greeter headquarters. This luxury property has 21 accessible rooms, some of which have roll-in showers. As an added bonus, it's right next door to the House of Blues Club.

Not your typical beige and gray hotel, Hotel Sax features elegant rooms sporting a definitive Chicago style. It's a hip, luxurious and very accessible place to stay.

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide For Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Visit her blog for access news, resources and industry updates.