CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
With frontage on majestic Lake Michigan and the Chicago River winding through its centre, big, vibrant Chicago has much to offer fans of water activities – 22 miles of shoreline, an 18-mile lakefront trail, more than 24 free beaches, attraction-lined Navy Pier and fascinating Chicago Architectural Foundation River Cruises past its spectacular skyscrapers.
The most notable of its lakefront attractions is Millennium Park, which encompasses a sandy beach and magnificent Buckingham Fountain as well as facilities for free open-air concerts, art exhibits and cultural events. Outdoor enthusiasts can also kayak, paddleboard, jet-ski or speedboat.
Chicago, which was voted the Best Bike City in the US by Bicycling.com, also has a renowned array of museums and other attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Shedd Aquarium. And, of course, there are attractions focused on the awesome views from some of its signature skyscrapers – The Ledge at Skydeck crowning the 1,353ft Willis Tower and the Tilt at the 360 Chicago building (formerly the John Hancock Center), where glass panels lean out over Michigan Avenue, 1,000 feet below.
The city also has restaurants featuring Michelin-starred chefs and great shopping, particularly along the 13 blocks of Michigan Avenue, known as The Magnificent Mile.
GETTING THERE: United Airlines (united.com), American Airlines (aa.com) and British Airways (britishairways.com) all fly into Chicago from Heathrow.
AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE ATTRACTIONS FOCUSED ON THE AWESOME VIEWS FROM SOME OF ITS SIGNATURE SKYSCRAPERS – THE LEDGE AT SKYDECK CROWNING THE 1,353FT WILLIS TOWER AND THE TILT AT THE 360 CHICAGO BUILDING (FORMERLY THE JOHN HANCOCK CENTER), WHERE GLASS PANELS LEAN OUT OVER MICHIGAN AVENUE, 1,000 FEET BELOW.