Chicago is the major metropolis of America's heartland, with three million people hustling and bustling in the city of skyscrapers that appears to rise straight out of the waters of Lake Michigan, in northern Illinois. Once a gangster's hang-out synonymous with infamous names such as Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde, the 'windy city' today has a squeaky-clean reputation as an international business and commercial capital boasting an eclectic mix of architecture, world-class theatre, art exhibitions, fantastic music and super-enthusiastic sportsmanship.

Chicago emerged as a rough and tough survivor after being destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871, and a huge influx of immigrants from all over the world in the early 20th century brought with them a determined spirit infusing the city with ethnic diversity and the unmistakable sound of Chicago-style blues music. Chicagoans have built a city that is to be reckoned with, boasting soaring skyscrapers like the Sears Tower (one of the tallest in the world); thriving ethnic neighbourhoods; a lakefront business district, the re-energised downtown; unbeatable shopping along the famed Michigan Avenue; and top-class sports teams.

One thing that does not attract visitors to Chicago is the weather, which, because of its geographical location is breezy at best, and freezing and gale-ridden at worst. It is possible to ignore the weather though, especially in summer, when getting caught up in the myriad of things to do, see and experience in this Midwestern metropolis - there are 30 excellent museums alone.

Art Institute of Chicago

Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue Chicago

Admission: $18 (adults), $12 (children, free for under 12). Entrance is free on Thursdays 5pm to 8pm. Free entry for the month of February Daily 10:30am-5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays).

Telephone: (312) 443 3600

Chicago Field Museum

Address: 1400 S. Lakeshore Drive Chicago

Admission: Basic admission: $15 (adults), $10 (children 3-11). Various ticket packages and concessions are available 9am-5pm daily, last admission 4pm. Closed Christmas Day.

Telephone: (312) 922 9410

Frank Lloyd Wright's Home

Address: 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park Chicago

Admission: Guided interior tour and self-guided exterior audio tour: $15 (adults), $12 (youth 11-18), Guided interior tours: weekdays at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and during weekends between 11am and 4pm; self-guided exterior audio tours between 10am and 4pm daily.

Telephone: (312) 994-4000

Lincoln Park

Address: 2001 N. Clark Street (zoo) Chicago

Admission: There is no admission charge to the zoo Daily 10am-5pm; November to March 10am-4:30pm.

Telephone: (312) 742 2000 (zoo)

Six Flags Great America

Address: 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee Chicago

Admission: $56.99 (general admission); $36.99 (child under 48 inches). Discounted tickets available from the website.

Telephone: (847) 249 4636

Shedd Aquarium

Address: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago

Admission: Basic admission is $28.95 (adults), $19.95 (children 3-11). Various inclusive passes are available. Hours vary, generally 8:30am-6pm. Check website for detailed schedule.

Telephone: (312) 939 2438

Rockford

Address: Chicago

Navy Pier

Address: 600 East Grand Ave Chicago

Admission: Admission to the Pier is free, but many of the attractions require separate fees. Open daily, but hours vary according to the season. Hours are usually Sunday to Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm.

Telephone: (312) 595 7437

Sears Tower (Willis Tower)

Address: 233 South Wacker Drive; entrance on Jackson Boulevard Chicago

Admission: $17 (adults), $11 (children 3-11). Audio tours and Fastpass available for an additional fee. Open daily 9am-10pm (April to September), 10am-8pm (October to March).

Telephone: (312) 875 9447

Millennium Park

Address: On Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets Chicago

Admission: Free Daily 6am-11pm.

Telephone: (312) 742 1168

Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum

Address: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago

Admission: General admission $10 (adults), $8 (4-17). Various rates for extended shows and tours. Daily 9:30am-5pm; open 9:30-6pm from 16 June to 7 September

Telephone: (312) 922 7827

Hancock Observatory

Address: 875 N. Michigan Ave Chicago

Admission: General Admission $15 (adults), $10 (children 4-11). Concessions and packages available. Daily 9am-11pm.

Telephone: (312) 751 3680

Chicago Children's Museum

Address: 700 East Grand Avenue Chicago

Admission: $10 (adults); $10 (children) Concessions available. Open daily 10am–5pm, closes 8pm on Thursdays.

Telephone: (312) 527 1000

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Address: 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe Chicago

Admission: Free, $20 per car parking fee. Open daily from 8am to sunset. Closed Christmas Day.

Telephone: (847) 835 5440

CoCo Key Water Resort

Address: Sheraton Chicago Northwest, 3400 W. Euclid Avenue Chicago

Admission: $20 weekdays, $25 weekends. Hours vary according to season. Generally 4pm-9pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-9pm weekends.

Telephone: (847) 394 2000

Museum of Science and Industry

Address: 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive Chicago

Admission: $15 (adults); $10 (children); Concessions and packages available. Open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm.

Telephone: (773) 684 1414

Buckingham Fountain

Address: Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway Chicago

Admission: The fountain runs from 8am to 11pm every day from mid-April to mid-October

Magnificent Mile

Address: Michigan Avenue Chicago

Harpo Studios

Address: 1058 W Washington Blvd, Near West Chicago

Telephone: 312 591 9222

Route 66 Sign

Address: The sign is located at Adams St between Michigan & Wabash Avenues Chicago

The Original Playboy Mansion

Address: 1340 N State Parkway, Chicago Chicago

Chicago History Museum

Address: 1601 N. Clark Street Chicago

Admission: $14 (adults); free for children under 12. Concessions available. Monday to Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

Telephone: (312) 642-4600

Chicago Blues Festival

Where: Grant Park,Chicago

When: 10 - 12 June 2011

Art Chicago

Where: Butler Field,Chicago

When: 29 April to 2 May 2011

Taste of Chicago

Where: Grant Park,Chicago

When: 25 June to 4 July 2010

Chicago Air and Water Show

Where: North Avenue Beach,Chicago

When: 20 - 21 August 2011

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Where: North Michigan Avenue,Chicago

When: November 2011 TBA

New Year's Eve Fireworks

Where: Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park,Chicago

When: 31 December annually

Chicago Jazz Festival

Where: Grant Park,Chicago

When: 2 - 4 September 2011

Annual American Indian Center Pow-Wow

Where: University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion,Chicago

When: March 2012 TBA

St. Patrick's Day

Where: Various,Chicago

When: 17 March, annually

Venetian Night

Where: South Lake Shore Drive,Chicago

When: 30 July 2011

Club Lucky

Address: 1824 W. Wabansia Ave Chicago

Food Type: Italian

Penny's Noodle Shop

Address: 950 W. Diversey Ave Chicago

Food Type: Asian

Arun's

Address: 4156 North Kedzie Avenue, Irving Park (North Side) Chicago

Food Type: Oriental

Charlie Trotter's

Address: 816 West Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park Chicago

Food Type: International

Everest

Address: 440 South LaSalle Street, 40th Floor, One Financial Plaza building (The Loop) Chicago

Food Type: French

Tru

Address: 676 North St Clair Street (Near North) Chicago

Food Type: French

Morton's of Chicago

Address: 1050 North State Street (River North) Chicago

Food Type: American

Frontera Grill/Topolobampo

Address: 445 North Clark Street (Near North) Chicago

Vermillion

Address: 10 W. Hubbard St Chicago

Food Type: Indian

Blackbird

Address: 619 West Randolph Street (West Loop) Chicago

Food Type: American

Mirai Sushi

Address: 2020 West Division Street, Wicker Park Chicago

Food Type: Japanese

North Pond

Address: 2610 North Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park Chicago

Food Type: Modern Eclectic

Pizzeria Uno Chicago

Address: 29 E Ohio Street Chicago

Food Type: Italian

Ed Debevic's

Address: 640 N. Wells St. Chicago

Food Type: American

Gino's East

Address: 633 N. Wells St. Chicago

Food Type: Pizzeria