Standing on a bridge over the Chicago River is a memorable experience, with the Wrigley Building on one side and the Chicago-Sun-Times on the other. Architecture is one of Chicago's biggest attractions, partly because the whole inner city was re-built after the famous fire of 1871, but the city is full of fascinating gems just waiting to be explored.

When to go
Summer and autumn are the best times to visit, making a cheap Chicago hotel harder to find. Summer is the peak season, when the city hosts lots of festivals, while autumn is quieter and still sunny - you won't need to worry about snow until late-November at the earliest. Avoid spring's temperamental weather, but if you want the best Chicago hotel deal you'll need to brave the cold in winter.

Where to stay
As the third biggest city in the US, there are plenty of Chicago hotel deals to choose from. To be close to the action, look for a cheap hotel on Chicago's famous Loop.

What to do
Chicago is famous for its jazz and blues clubs and great restaurants - whatever you want to eat, you can be sure that Chicago will do it well. Some of Chicago's biggest attractions are the Sears Tower, the Hancock Building, the many museums (including one just for kids), dinner cruises and the Shedd Aquarium. The Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue is a shopper's paradise. Otherwise, just take a walk around this beautiful city, along the waterfront and through Millennium Park.