What to do in Cook County, IL

For sports-fans, Chicago is about one of two things – the Bears or the Cubs. But while the Chicago Bears football team switched from Wrigley Park in 1971, its legendary baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, have stuck true to their long heritage here. They've stayed put at one of America's most iconic sports fields, ever since it was built in 1914. After all, Wrigley Park has legendary sporting triumphs (and disasters) steeped into every seat, and written on every leaf of its ivy-covered outfield walls.

McCormick Place is both the biggest convention center in Chicago and the biggest one anywhere in the U.S. This vast, sprawling complex is an impressive feat of architecture and engineering that was founded well over half a century ago. Attend an event here to get a sense of its incredible scale.

Navy Pier has been many things to Chicago, since it first struck out its 1006 metres into Lake Michigan in 1916. It was once a transport hub, a navy training centre, and even a place for the city to cool down in the days before air-conditioning. Now it’s the capital of fun for Chicagoans, home to circuses, fun fairs, fireworks and flower shows. It's one of the city's most popular attractions when summer arrives, and its twice-weekly firework shows begin. It's also a great launching off point for getting all nautical along Lake Michigan's 483-kilometre length.

You may know Chicago as the Windy City. But its motto is actually Urbs in Horto - or 'City in a Garden.' And parks, large and small, abound in this surprisingly spacious city on Lake Michigan's shore. But none is quite like the Millennium Park, which was added to Chicago's long park list just this side of the new millennium (2004 to be exact – punctuality isn't big with Chicagoans). Less a park, more a 'new kind of town square', Millennium Park is a very 21st-century blend of art, open-spaces, dramatic vistas and engrossing events.

Soldier Field has been one of Chicago’s most well-known landmarks since its construction in 1924 and is the oldest NFL stadium in the country.

Get a sense of the culture and character of the Windy City by wandering along the Chicago Riverwalk. This scenic stretch of the city follows the banks of the Chicago River from near the edge of Lake Michigan through Downtown to where the river splits. As you follow the walkway, pass impressive bridges, fascinating museums and trendy dining spots.

Grant Park is one of Chicago’s most loved and diverse public parks, with a host of family-friendly attractions and activities. It spreads across 319 acres (129 hectares) between Michigan Avenue and the banks of Lake Michigan. Grant Park is a scenic area blessed with everything from concert venues and museums to public art, statues and well-groomed lawns. Walk along wide tree-lined promenades dissecting the park.

Northwestern University, located outside the town of Evanston and just north of Chicago, is rooted in local history and features an array of attractions. Wander around the historic grounds of the university, enjoying the buzz of an active student population, before stopping by some of its venues and museums.