Holidays to Chicago – £49pp deposits^

Chicago travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Chicago?

  Chicago's climate is somewhat extreme, with very hot summers and freezing cold winters, its lakeside setting only adding some humidity to the atmosphere. The best time to visit Chicago depends on what you're looking for as the seasons are very distinct. Chicago enjoys hot, sunny and humid summers which last from June to the end of September, so it's perfect for watersports and enjoying the lake, while the evening winds keep it cool enough to roam the city's jam-packed event schedule. Then again, autumn is also an excellent time to visit with crisp air, bright sunshine and a truly autumnal vibe. Spring is short with moderate temperatures and frosty nights. Winters are icy and prone to bitterly cold winds. There is plenty of rain and often snow.

• Things to do in Chicago

  Take a stroll to Millennium Park, packed with attractions including gardens, public art and an ice rink plus free events and concerts. Don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the famous Cloud Gate sculpture - or ‘The Bean’ to the locals.

  Discover architecture at its best on the Illinois’ Frank Lloyd Wright Trail. This self-guided public tour takes in two UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Frederick C. Robie House and Unity Temple.

  Uncover history at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum where you will discover many Lincoln attractions such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials.

  Take a wander down the Magnificent Mile to see the best skyscrapers including the John Hancock Building with its 360 CHICAGO Observatory.

  Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most popular with visitors, who come to see the collection of Great Apes and African Elephants. One of the earliest urban zoos in America, Lincoln Park Zoo has expanded in recent years, and is now recognised for its conservation work.

  Chicago is the home of the chat show, and the queen of the industry still produces two shows a day for most of the year at the Harpo Studios in the centre of the city. To see Oprah Winfrey recording her programme is free of charge, although you need to register at least one month in advance to get in the audience.

  With its strong Blues connections Chicago plays host to the Chicago Blues Festival in June each year, followed in July by the Summer Dance Festival.

  In October the Chicago film festival is a high profile event that draws the top stars to the city as they highlight great new movies.

• Chicago shopping

  All the key American department stores can be found in Chicago, along North Michigan Street, known as the Magnificent Mile, where you'll find Bloomingdale's, Saks and Nordstrom's, among many more in the Water Tower Place.

  Marshall Fields provides a Chicago shopping experience similar to Harrods - a 1908 building with excellent architecture and a landmark in the city. Using courtyards as its design basis Marshall Fields has a wonderful sense of elegance and is the place to shop in Chicago.
  Filenes Basement on Michigan Avenue is renowned as a great place to pick up designer clothing bargains while Clark Street is home to a huge Tower Records store, with pretty much any piece of music you can think of available.

  With such a wide choice suitable for so many different types of shopper, it is not surprising that shopping in Chicago is growing dramatically in popularity with visitors from overseas.

• Chicago sport & leisure

  In October, the city hosts the Chicago Marathon, which, while not as well known as Boston or New York's, still attracts tens of thousands of runners. Even if you're not taking part, it's quite a spectacle.

  You can get tickets to most sports events in Chicago on the day it takes place, and a popular pastime before the match is a car park party, when supporters get together to enjoy a drink and food, often a barbeque. They are always friendly affairs and visitors are made welcome.

• Chicago events - what's on when?

  January - Annual New Year's Day 5K Run/Walk

  Around 1500 runners and walkers start the new year on a healthy footing at Lincoln Park.

  February - Chicago Restaurant Week

  10 days of prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at over 200 eateries, enabling visitors to try out a variety of food.

  March - Saturday 17 Mar 2012

  The Chicago River is dyed green, bars serve green beer and a parade follows around The Loop and Grant Park.

  April - Easter Egg Hunt

  Reed Keppler Park hosts an annual egg hunt with prizes for 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 year olds.

  May - Kids and Kites Festival

  Free family event at Montrose Harbour with food stalls and free kites for kids without their own.

  June - Wells Street Art Festival

  Over 250 juried artists with work in many forms, plus a music stage and a silent auction.

  July - Taste of Chicago

  Reputedly the world's largest food festival with around 3 million people trying culinary delights at Grant Park.

  August - Chicago Jazz Festival

  This free festival is a long-running Labor Day tradition, set within the Cultural Centre at Millennium Park.

  September - Mexican Independence Day Parade

  Downtown West Chicago celebrates with a parade down Joliet Street, plus music, food and piñatas.

  October - Columbus Day Parade

  Enjoy the fun, watch more than 150 floats and bands as they march down State Street.

  November - Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

  The Museum of Science and Industry brings a world of holiday displays and traditions to Chicago.

  December - Lincoln Square Christkindl Market

  A community German-style Christmas market with stalls, a beer tent, music and carols.

• Chicago travel advice

  Do you need a visa for Chicago?

  Everyone travelling into America must have completed the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or ESTA for short, a US Customs & Passport Control entry requirement. US Immigration may well refuse you entry at border control if you do not complete the online form.