Chicago holidays

Every holiday to Chicago should include at least one museum visit. The choices are superb, particularly the Art Institute of Chicago, with its 300,000-piece collection. See ancient Egyptian artefacts and dinosaur fossils at the Field Museum and climb through a real submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry. Get an insider's view of Chicago's rich architectural history at Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House.

Spend time on the Lake Michigan Shoreline. Rent a bike and pedal the Lakefront Bicycle Trail, stopping for a picnic and skyline views in Grant or Millennium Parks. Or visit the free zoo in Lincoln Park. Catch the L, Chicago’s transit system, to Grand Station and stroll to Navy Pier for more views from the Centennial Wheel.

Chicago has fostered some of the world’s best musical talent. Discover the sounds for yourself at places like the Green Mill, where world-famous jazz acts have played since 1907. For blues music greats, visit Blue Chicago in the River North area. Book your flights and hotels to Chicago when your favourite touring acts are playing the Vic Theatre or the Riviera Theatre.

The Loop is where to stay in Chicago if you want to be near the action. Stroll to city highlights like Millennium Park and the Riverwalk, and shop at the huge Merchandise Market. Join locals at the Blues Festival and Jazz Festival here in summer and sing along to your favourite musicals on Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace and the Auditorium.

Good for: Shopping, convenience, theatres

This lakeside neighbourhood is the best area to stay in Chicago if you love nature. Explore the district's namesake greenspace, stopping at the conservatory and free zoo. At night, hear blues at the legendary Kingston Mines club or dip into some fondue at Geja's Cafe. For culture, head to the Chicago History Museum.

Good for: Outdoor activities, dining, live music

Hyde Park is the best neighbourhood to stay in Chicago for culture. Start your day at Valois Restaurant, a favourite of the neighbourhood's most famous resident, former US President Barack Obama. Check out the exhibits at the Hyde Park Art Center and the Smart Museum of Art, which has free admission. See authentic Japanese landscaping at Osaka Garden or hike to Promontory Point to enjoy the best skyline views.

Good for: Gardens, skyline views, art

The Shedd Aquarium tops the list of things to do with family in Chicago. Encounter sharks and beluga whales in this historic building next to the Field Museum. Spark the kids' imaginations at the Maggie Daley Park Play Garden. Head to the top of Willis Tower for the Skydeck Chicago where you can look through the see-through floor at the street below. 

Window-shop or splurge at the boutiques on the Magnificent Mile and State Street. Then, go beyond Downtown to see the diverse options for shopping in Chicago. Browse the independent clothing shops in Andersonville and books and handmade crafts in Hyde Park. Find a unique souvenir in Chinatown or Chicago's largest shopping centre, the 300-store Woodfield Mall.

More than 20 beaches in Chicago cover the vast lakefront, so there’s plenty to do if you feel like being outdoors. Try volleyball on North Avenue Beach or combine shopping on the Magnificent Mile with sunbathing at the nearby Oak Street Beach. Paddle onto Lake Michigan with a rental kayak at 31st Street Beach. Or spend a summer afternoon with the kids at family-friendly Montrose Beach.

Explore nightlife in Chicago beyond its live music highlights. Laugh at comedy improv acts at the legendary Second City or stargaze at the weekly late-night sky shows at the Adler Planetarium. Sip creative cocktails at the Chicago Magic Lounge, set in a converted 1940s laundromat. And you’ll always find frothy pints at Double Clutch Brewing in Millennium Park, where there’s outdoor seating in the summer.

Try hearty headliners like deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. There’s a wide diversity of restaurants in Chicago. Munch on tacos at Xoco or sample modern Mediterranean at Aba. Ride the L to Argyle Street for Southeast Asian fare or let your taste buds guide you on a visit to Fulton Market.

Check out public installations like Millennium Park's Cloud Gate without paying admission. Other free things to do in Chicago range from taking in a performance at the Chicago Cultural Center to spending a summer evening on the Chicago Riverwalk. You can also meet rhinos, giraffes and more at one of the country's last free zoos in Lincoln Park.