Chicago can boast some of the most resplendent museums and art galleries in the world, each housing internationally renowned collections. Head straight for Museum Campus, where you’ll find three of the best: Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium. The nearby Museum of Science and Industry is also worth a visit, and don’t miss the Art Institute of Chicago either, which hosts an unrivalled Impressionism collection.

Travelling to Chicago should also take in Trump Tower and the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, which was once the tallest building in the world.

There are plenty of other attractions to choose from when you fly to Chicago. A visit to Chinatown, one of the city’s most colourful and dynamic neighbourhoods, is unlikely to disappoint. The Shedd Aquarium on Museum Campus is especially good for family visits with a rich array of aquatic life and interactive exhibits.

For an evening of culture, try Jefferson Park’s Gateway Theatre, or Steppenwolf in Lincoln Park. Most prestigious theatres are located in the Loop area. Chicago’s many districts play host to a number of festivals throughout the year, so you’ll never be short of pageantry or spectacle.

Chicago is also home to some of the world’s most popular sports teams. In the summer, enjoy a baseball game at Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs, or U.S. Cellular Field to see the White Sox. In the winter, the United Center hosts the Chicago Bulls NBA basketball team and the Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. During the autumn, you can take in an American Football game at Soldier Field to see the Bears.

Chicago is one of North America’s great culinary destinations. Different neighbourhoods specialise in different cuisines, such as Greek, Indian or Chinese. Areas such as Albany Park and Lincoln Square are best for German, Middle Eastern and Korean food, and Wicker Park is famous for its award-winning restaurants.

But perhaps the most famous of the city’s gastronomic delights is the Chicago deep-dish pizza. You won’t have to go far to find one.

If you’re travelling to Chicago primarily for shopping, you’ll not be disappointed. You can find just about anything here, and the most famous street for retail-seekers is the aptly named “Magnificent Mile”. Here you’ll find boutiques, multi-story malls and premier department stores, all in the Near North region of the city.

There are cutting-edge shops in and around Wicker Park and Bucktown; and if you are in the market for designer home goods, head for River North’s Gallery District, the largest arts and design district outside of Manhattan.