Chicago

Chi-Town, the ‘Windy City’ is built on the shores of the massive Lake Michigan. The third largest city in the US is home to Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world and although it dominates the cityscape, it is just one of the towering skyscrapers that make up the center of this massive northern metropolis.

Art and Culture

The Chicago Field Museum offers an incredible collection of wonders from the natural world while the Art Institute of Chicago (official site) is easily one of the most outstanding, if not best modern art museums in the world. Home to Hoppers ‘Nighthawks’, Seurat’s ‘Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ and a huge collection of Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso to name just a few.

The Museum of Science and Industry (offical site) is one of the most popular places to visit in the city this is a science and technology museum full of fun displays you can play with and touch.

Nature and the Outdoors

Chicago has great natural scenery for a city of its size. Lake Michigan reminds one of being on the ocean on a nice summer day, and downtown Chicago is situated right on the water’s edge. There are multiple beaches that accessible on foot, and bike paths flank the water’s edge heading both north and south. Just south of downtown is Grant Park, an urban oasis of trees and grass lawns. Attend one of the many concerts or festivals held during the summer months, take a jog, or just enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan from the park.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is the largest park in the city and is home to a free zoo. The beaches on the edge of Lake Michigan are filled with people during the summer months while the bars and clubs on the edge of the park fill up with university students most nights of the week. The park is also famous for its outdoor sculptures.

Sears Tower

The tallest building in the western hemisphere and third tallest building in the world, the huge black office block in the middle of the city is a symbol of the city’s skyline. You can take an elevator up and visit the Skydeck for views over the whole city and Lake Michigan.

Shopping

Michigan Avenue is home to the Magnificent Mile, some of the most exclusive shopping not only in the city, but the entire country while the Navy Pier on the edge of Lake Michigan is one of the most visited parts of the city and is filled with restaurants and shops.

Nightlife

by – Drew Walker, Tour Manager, USA

One of the highlights of a visit to Chicago may be taking in a live blues show at one of the many authentic blues clubs in the city. Shows are inexpensive or free.

Sports

Perhaps the most famous sporting venue in the city is Wrigley Field, home Baseball’s Chicago Cubs. The area around the historic stadium is filled with bars that are popular whether there is a game on or not.

The iconic White Sox call the city home as well as basketball’s Chicago Bulls. Their home stadium, the United Center, is on Madison Avenue just outside the city center. The stadium is also home to the NHL Blackhawks and a statue dedicated to the city’s all-time sporting hero – Michael Jordan. The home of the Chicago Bears is a little closer to the city center with the stadium also playing host to Major League Soccer team the Chicago Fire.

More information on US Sports.

• Chicago Airports