Chicago Board of Trade

[Due to national security concerns, only pre-arranged group tours are allowed to visit the viewing gallery. The lobby visitor center is, however, open to the general public.] The Chicago Board of Trade, the largest exchange in the world, holds court in an impressive Art Deco building. Visitors may watch the frenzied action of futures and options trading from the 5th-floor viewing center and be enlightened by guides about the seemingly-cryptic gestures used by traders. A small museum and a film offer more insight into the business of trading. While you're there, note the rooftop aluminum statue of Ceres (Roman goddess of harvest) and look for the lovely painting of her that was once on the trading floor and now occupies a place of prominence in the atrium addition.