Eight great reasons to visit the Windy City

BEST FOR BRUNCH

DON’T miss the marvellous all-you-can-eat Sunday Gospel Brunch (10am-12.30pm) at the Chicago House of Blues. Join the stage for a dance, if you get into the swing of it. Tickets are £32.50 (houseofblues.com/chicago).

BEST FOR ART

THE Art Institute of Chicago is a world-class gallery. Highlights include iconic American works such as Nighthawks by Edward Hopper and American Gothic by Grant Wood — plus paintings by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. The restaurant, Terzo Piano, is first rate (artic.edu; terzopianochicago.com).

BEST FOR PIZZA

CHICAGO is famous for its deep-pan pizzas — and there are many great places to get a slice. Lou Malnati’s is a chain with 56 branches — just pick the one closest to your hotel. Prices are reasonable: a Malnati Chicago Classic with sausage and extra cheese is £13 for two (loumalnatis.com).

BEST FOR ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE River Tours provide what amounts to a complete history of buildings over the past two centuries. A 75-minute tour is £29 (shorelinesightseeing.com).

BEST FOR VIEWS

THE 360 Chicago observation deck is at the top of the iconic John Hancock Building — 1,000 feet up — with magnificent views over the city and Lake Michigan. Try the terrifying TILT thrill ride there, if you dare. Observation deck tickets £20; TILT ticket £6 extra (360chicago.com).

BEST HOUSE TOUR

TAKE the overground train for half an hour to Oak Park and visit the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, creator of the ‘Prairie’ style that had such a big influence on 20th-century U.S. architecture.

BEST FOR A WALK

IT’S a pleasant hour-long walk from Navy Pier to Lincoln Zoo along the Lakefront Trail, passing beaches along the way. The entire trail is 18.5 miles (chicagoparkdistrict.com).

BEST FOR CLASSICAL FANS

THE Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which plays in the marvellously ornate Orchestra Hall, is renowned across America — see if you can book a ticket to coincide with your visit (cso.org).