The first order of business for any shopper is to discover the delights of The Magnificent Mile®, one of the world's glitziest shopping boulevards. 

Visit the multi-storeyed shopping malls like Water Tower Place, 900 North Michigan, Chicago Place and Westfield North Bridge. But don't neglect the trendy boutiques on fashionable Oak Street, flagship stores like Niketown or that mecca for little girls, American Girl Place.

When it's time to think about dinner, you'll have hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Try one of the stylish restaurants along West Randolph Street, a former market district in the West Loop Gate neighbourhood that has become the city's favourite new hotspot for dining and nightlife, and stop in for a nightcap at one of the city's lively nightclubs.

A Chicago Trolley Company or Chicago Gray Line tour is a great way to introduce yourself to the city. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, whose collections focus on works created since 1945, then view the great masters at The Art Institute of Chicago. Of the more than 300,000 works, the Impressionist and Postimpressionist collections are considered among the best in the world.

After lunch — sea food at McCormick & Schmick's or Mity Nice Grill, perhaps — explore a working coal mine and a German U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry. A visit to the Museum Campus takes you to The Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium and The Field Museum – home of Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. Later, take in spectacular views from The Hancock Observatory or the Willis Tower Skydeck.

For dinner, treat yourself to a prime aged steak at Gibsons or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Or try the exotic cuisine of French Indochina at Le Colonial. End the evening at one of Chicago's famous jazz clubs like the Green Mill Jazz Club or Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant. Or combine good jazz and fine dining at the Green Dolphin Street.

After a hearty breakfast at Lou Mitchell's, where the original Route 66 began, it's off on a Chicago Neighbourhood Tour to explore city communities such as Wicker Park and Chinatown. Or head to Navy Pier where, among the many shops and restaurants lies one of Chicago's lesser-known jewels — the Museum of Stained Glass.

After lunch, visit the Chicago Cultural Center with its beautiful Tiffany dome and thought-provoking art exhibits. Then visit Chicago's landmark department stores, like Macy's State Street, on State Street, "that great street".

Try one of Chicago's famous deep-dish pizzas at Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's or the original Gino's East. Sample world-class theatre at the Goodman Theatre or Steppenwolf Theatre; enjoy a Broadway-style show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre or Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, or improv at The Second City or Comedy Sportz. Or catch the energetic and wildly popular Blue Man Group.

If you're a music lover, end your visit with some Chicago Blues at Blue Chicago or Buddy Guy's Legends. All this and you only scraped the surface. Make a note to come back again soon!