We wanted the kids to experience nature, so we did the obvious: we went to Chicago.

While you may not think of the Windy City as a place to explore flora and fauna, we focused our attention on the Lincoln Park, north of downtown, and were justly rewarded.

Setting up camp at the Days Inn Chicago, 644 W. Diversey Parkway, we were in the heart of a vibrant hustle and bustle neighborhood full of shopping, dining and bars.

The staff at the hotel – which has been nicknamed the Rock and Roll Hotel – is extremely friendly and the 1920s-era hotel has been getting a facelift, too. Best of all for us, the 1,200-acre Lincoln Park is a mere five-minute walk up Diversey.

If I had any reservations about looking for nature in the heart of one of America's largest cities, Mother Nature reassured us – via a really beautiful September day – that we were on the right path.

That path took us past the lovely domed Elks National Veterans Memorial and up to an explosion of flowers and multi-hued plants that wreathed sculptor John Angel's statue of – no, not Lincoln – Alexander Hamilton. We snapped photos with the downtown skyline as a backdrop and strolled along the park's Cannon Drive.

Even in mid-September, as fall was clearly staking its tent in the Midwest, the Diversey Harbor, on the left, was filled with boats. On the right, Chicagoans strolled, ran and biked past the more serene and picturesque North Pond.

Our first destination was Lincoln Park Zoo, which was a revelation. Of course, we knew it existed, but it never really occured to us to visit. Shame on us.

The zoo, which is bigger than we expected, is still small by modern mega-zoo standards, but Lincoln Park Zoo is an historic urban zoo, along the lines of New York's Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos.

It is a zoo on a, well, human scale. Admission is always free, though you will pay to park if you drive.

The 35-acre zoo, opened in 1868 – making it among America's oldest zoos – houses 1,200 animals from 230 species in enclosures and buildings that range historic to modern and to a combination of the two.

Step inside the lion hall and you're greeted with a stunning brick and tile barrel vaulted building that made me think of the arrivals hall at Ellis Island.

Just across the way is a primates building that appears to be of similar vintage but the interior has been completely altered.

Across from the big cats, to the northeast is Eadie Levy's Landmark Cafe, which looks like it's been lifted straight out of Paris' Luxembourg Gardens.

Lincoln Park Zoo is that kind of zoo. It's modern enough that you don't feel like you're missing out on anything, but it's got tons of vibe. The tree-lined paths are perfect for strolling, the bridge over the pond offers great flamingo and duck watching and the Nature Boardwalk, which connects the main zoo with the farm exhibits offers stunning views of the Chicago skyline.

There is a chilren's zoo, a large carousel, a kiddie train and a seemingly endless parade of fun for the whole family. On the day we visited the farm hosted pumpkin decorating, just in case the warm sunshine dared allow us to forget autumn's impending approach.

Back out, this time onto Stockton Drive, there's the 1893 Conservatory – think The Domes in a 19th century setting – and the tranquil oasis that is the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It, like its neighbors, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cross Fullerton Avenue, but stay in the park, and experience the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

The new (circa 1999) building – with its grassy green roof – houses a butterfly haven with more than 75 species, a "look-in" lab that allows visits to watch scientists study wildlife and a number of other exhibits. Outside, there's a birdwalk, a wilderness walk and more.

All that nature tuckered us out. Returning to the hotel, the kids marveled at the Egyptian sarcophagus and the life-sized cow in the lobby, we freshened up and headed back toward up Diversey in the direction of the park for dinner at Forno Diablo, 433 W. Diversey, which we spied on our way to the zoo.

Despite the weird combo Italian/Spanish name, Forno Diablo is a brick over pizzeria that also serves a range of pastas and Italian-style entrees.

Dimly lit, with comfy banquettes and a red glow, kids really love catching a glimpse of the wood-fired oven and we're thrilled that Forno would allow them to be picky about what was on their pizzas.

The ultra-thin-crust pizza was delicious and the wines by the glass selection was pretty good, too. Had the weather been just a few degrees more cooperative, we'd have happily enjoyed the large sidewalk-side patio and people-watching.

There is a seemingly endless choice of restaurants in the area of Diversey and Clark, where the hotel is located. There's The Counter Burger chain for build-your-own burgers and the award-winning Half Shell seafood eatery (cash only!), too.

There's a Golden Nugget up the street, but you won't need that if you choose the Days Inn, because breakfast – including some much-praised waffles – is free.

Down on Diversey and Clark, a Chicago Saturday night was in full swing, but nature had taken our all that day and we were pooped. Up in the room, we enjoyed the view toward downtown, spying the Hancock Center and Trump Tower and, peeking up over the building across the street, the Willis Tower.

It's true. In the shadow of some of America's tallest and best-known skyscrapers, you can soar through nature, too.