Lake Michigan

Head out to Navy Pier to get one of the many boat trips available to get out on the Lake. You can also hire bikes and ride along the lakeshore, jog, walk etc. There are beaches close to downtown if you are there in warm weather, the water is however, absolutely freezing!

Lincoln Park Zoo

This is one of those really rare things – good and free! You Can catch the bus there from downtown. There is also a farm and a conservatory in the zoo area. I particularly enjoy hanging out with the great apes in the winter but the zoo is a great place all year round and is a really good place to visit if you are travelling with children.

Shopping

Downtown Chicago

Ah the shopping.  The best place to go is Michigan Avenue, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile.  Starting at the top from the Wrigley Building you will find all the major stores, Nordstrom, Saks, Niemen Marcus, Bloomingdales and Macy’s all have outlets and in between are shops such as Banana Republic, J Crew, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Nike, North Face, etc, etc, etc….

For designer shops head to Oak Street, left off the bottom of Michigan.  You will find Prada, Jimmy Choo et al and a branch of Barneys.

If you are looking for more of a bargain, try Nordstrom Rack downtown.  This is a Nordstrom sale shop that is great for bargain hunting.  There is one on East Chicago Avenue, just behind the Ralf Lauren shop and one south of the River at 24 North State Street.