Chicago

The undeniable King of deep dish pizza and great blues clubs, Chicago is that fabled city firmly rooted in the prairie yet chic and high-style. It is a gastronomic wonderland with undeniably some of the best food in the country. Hugged by the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has 18 miles of shoreline you can run or bike along. View the skyline of Chicago from the sky deck at the John Hancock Center. Take a cruise out onto the lake. Visit the huge Chicago Botanical Garden. Or shop along the Magnificent Mile where most of the major department stores and upscale boutiques are located.

Top 10 Chicago things to do

1. The Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) was, for a period up until 1996, the tallest building in the world. Pick a clear day to ride up to the SkyDeck on the 103^rd floor for panoramic views of the city and as far away as four other American states in the distance.

2. On your return to ground level, head off to the beautifully restored 19^th century Prairie Avenue Historic District to view the mansions of the rich and famous, such as the Glessner House built in 1886 and the Greek Revivalist Clarke House, one of the oldest homes in this part of Chicago.

3. Continuing on in an architectural theme, the Astor Street District is an area of six city blocks famous for the magnificent modern buildings designed by some of the world’s leading architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright. Do not miss the Tiffany Dome in the Chicago Cultural Center.

4. The James R Thompson Center is a modern shopping complex featuring a massive atrium, with great stores, restaurants and coffee bars. Designed by the architect Helmut Jahn, it is considered as one of his masterpieces; and there is a Jean Dubuffet sculpture in the plaza.

5. The Magnificent Mile is another wonderful shopping area with everything from historical buildings to skyscrapers and museums to eateries, but its main claim to fame is that it is near to the both downtown area and Rush Street, which is known for its nightlife.

6. On a cultural note, visit the Field Museum of Natural History, where some 20 million exhibits are on show. The two best displays to visit are the ancient Egyptian and the T Rex skeleton, which is the largest and most complete in the world.

7. The Art Institute of Chicago has a large collection of Impressionist and other paintings; as well as such diverse and interesting collections as Egyptian jewellery, Chinese pottery, swords and armour and modern furniture.

8. The John G Shedd Aquarium is well worth a visit, as it is the world’s largest indoor aquarium and has an amazing collection of Beluga whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, seals, piranhas and stingrays; and a coral reef. This aquarium promotes conservation and environmental awareness.

9. Take a Chicago Boat Tour and sail around the lake and up the Chicago River for a relaxing day out and a different view of the city. These tours usually begin at 10 in the morning and return to port at around 3 in the afternoon.

10. For an alternative way of seeing the city’s sights, book a guided Segway Tour. Although relatively expensive, these tours last two to three hours and you get to see a lot of places you would normally miss when walking around the city on your own.

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