Chicago

Often referred to as the USA's 'Second City', those venturing to the Windy City of Chicago soon find that there's nothing second rate about its architecture, shopping or people. Chicago is bordered on the east by Lake Michigan, the world's fifth largest body of fresh water. The lakeshore is lined with 26 miles of clean beaches, parks, bike paths and hiking trails, plus several harbours where you can join a dinner cruise or a boat tour.

With a skyline more artistically stunning and less crowded than New York's, Chicago has an architectural tradition from Daniel Burnham, (who designed the "White City" of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition), to Frank Lloyd Wright to Mies van der Rohe's famous steel and glass skyscrapers, all making Chicago's landmark buildings are unforgettable. The Great Fire of 1871 played a pivotal part in shaping Chicago's skyline today, voted best in America. No one knows for certain how it started, although folklore seems to point to a barn on the city's west side. The blaze began early on a Sunday morning on October 8, 1871. By early Monday morning it had jumped the river and reached the business district. The fire burned until late Monday when rain helped douse the flames. By then, it had destroyed 17,000 buildings and caused $200 million in damage. After the fire, Chicago was a blank slate and the city reinvented itself as the great modern metropolis it is today. Architects and landscape designers flocked here from around the country and the Chicago School of Architecture was born.

Chicago's motto, Urbs in Horto - the City in a Garden - is a way of life and the city provides a wealth of outdoor opportunities. Architect Daniel Burnham and landscape designer Fredric Law Olmsted are remembered as the men who envisioned a city complete with lakefront parks for citizens' enjoyment. The twenty- four acre Millennium Park in the heart of downtown Chicago, offers everything from interactive public art to al fresco dining and classical music. It has quickly become Chicago's crown jewel, offering a world-class pavilion for outdoor concerts along with engaging sculptures and fountains mere steps from Chicago's skyline. Cloudgate or the "bean" as it is locally known is one of its centrepiece sculptures.

While New York has 5th Avenue, Chicago's counterpart is the Magnificent Mile. With four shopping centres, world-renowned boutiques and dozens of locally-acclaimed designers, this one-mile stretch of Michigan Avenue is a shopper's paradise. As you stroll along the "Mag Mile", you will run into Niketown, the Apple Store, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Ralph Lauren's flagship boutique. Urban Shopping Tours brings you into the heart of the boutique neighbourhoods such as Lincoln Park and Buck Town and is a great way to find some hidden shopping gems.

The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Tower provides the perfect place to watch the Chicago city lights glimmer in the night sky. You can enjoy of their many specialty drinks from their extensive list of premium cocktails and they also offer a gourmet menu with appetizer, sandwich and dessert selections. The lounge offers the perfect place to unwind and soak up some of Chicago's laidback, Mid-Western hospitality. The James Hotel Chicago in downtown Chicago, just steps from Michigan Avenue is within easy walking distance of such celebrated cultural attractions and offers a stylish and luxurious base for your Chicago stay.

Price Information:

Aer Lingus
www.aerlingus.com
0818 365000
Dublin/Shannon to Chicago

The James
www.jameshotels.com
Rooms at The James from $229 per room per night.

American Holidays
www.americanholidays.com
(01) 673 3800
3 nights at the James Hotel from €729 per person sharing including direct flights from Dublin to Chicago based on four sharing including taxes.

The Gage Restaurant and Tavern
24 S. Michigan Ave
www.thegagechicago.com

Aliea
1723 North Halsted
www.alinea-restaurant.com

The Second City
www.secondcity.com
Performances from $20.

Urban Shop Guide
www.urbanshopguide.com
2.5 hour tours from $45 per person.

Chicago
www.gochicago.ie