Chicago is a bold and brilliant city; a place that offers culture, cuisine, architecture, history and art in abundance. It’s a city of diverse opportunities, where you can hop in your rental cal and join the friendly locals at Soldier or Wrigley Fields for superb sport, or go wild on the waterfront.
Rising to the top
For those who aren’t scared of heights, there’s plenty of opportunities for scaling the landscape in Chi-Town – one of the city’s many nicknames. Top of the tree is the Willis Building, Chicago’s tallest at a touch over 450 metres. Once known as the Sears Building, it was the tallest in the whole world until Malaysia’s Petronas Towers took the title in 1998.
It’s still the eighth tallest in the world, and the second in the US. Ride up the 103rd floor in a lightning-fast elevator and visit the Skydeck for unquestionably the best view of the city. For the brave, there’s a glass-floored balcony called ‘The Ledge’, where you can see straight down. On a windy day – this is the Windy City, after all – you’ll feel the building sway slightly. Those with vertigo need not apply.
Art for all
You can see a whole treasure trove of public art for free in Chicago, without even stepping inside a gallery. Millennium Park is the hub of it, with its centerpiece known as the ‘Bean’ – a huge, highly polished stainless steel sculpture designed by Anish Kapoor. Officially called the Cloud Gate, this smooth and reflective installation has to be one of the most photographed and Instagrammed sights in the US.
On a sizzling day, Crown Fountain is the place to cool down. Make a splash in the water while the vast video screens above play footage of locals spitting water out. Last up, take in a free show or music performance – available most nights in summer – at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. This Frank Gehry-designed bandshell caused some controversy when it first opened but has now become a local landmark.
Life by the lake
Chicago natives make the most of Lake Michigan, a vast body of water where you’ll see locals swimming and sailing. Take a scenic drive over from central Chicago to Navy Pier, a focal point jutting out over the water.
It’s home to a huge Ferris wheel, restaurants, bars and even an IMAX cinema. You can take in live theater here at the Chicago Shakespeare theatre, enjoy the breeze from the lake and, in summer, there are twice-weekly firework displays.
It’s a great family location, where you can jump onto dining and sightseeing cruises from the pier. For more of a thrill, take a ride on Seadog Extreme, a speedboat cruise – or perhaps a mind-boggling sprint – that mixes high speeds with spins, loud music and a guarantee of getting splashed.
Rent a car at Chicago Midway International Airport and you’re only moments away from the cut and thrust of Chicago, a city that knows how to have a good time.
