Chicago is a great city to explore, with impressive skyscrapers alongside a lively lakeside waterfront. And you’ll find that Chicago’s road system is really simple to grasp.

You'll find many of the city's central roads are arranged in the classic American way – as a grid pattern of numbered blocks, making them easy to navigate and work your way around. For longer distances, it’s usually better to use the bigger multi-lane freeways. The I-80 and I-88 head west into the rural heartland of Illinois, while I-65 heads south to Indianapolis. To visit Illinois' state capital of Springfield, take the I-55 south of the city.

You’ll find the I-90 runs north to south through the heart of the city and the I-294 forms a long looping beltway round the western outskirts. To soak up the best of the waterfront, North Lake Shore Drive (Route 41) runs parallel to the lake, from Montrose Beach to the Museum of Industry and Science in south Chicago. The I-90 offers you the best route if you're heading for O’Hare International Airport.

Whilst driving in the city's roads, you should be aware that some routes charge a toll fee. . Several of Chicago's major roads charge tolls, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway and Veterans Memorial Tollway - you can find the details and a free map here.

The driving rules in Chicago are very much in line with those in operation across the rest of the USA – you can read all the rules and regulations online before heading out on the open road.

From the iconic Willis Tower to Wrigley Field where you can catch a Cubs baseball game, Chicago is a place that can offer you a vibrant and unique atmosphere. Whether you’re here on business or looking to take in what the Windy City has to offer, you won't be short on things to do.

The lakeside city

The waterfront is an interesting stretch to explore. You’ll find gardens, walkways, and monuments everywhere, plus some major attractions too. The 100-year-old Navy Pier is an area of amusements, entertainment venues and eateries and you’ll stumble upon everything from regular firework displays to a huge annual flower show here. It’s a major Chicago institution and there’s always something happening.

Nearby is The Shedd, one of the world’s biggest and most impressive aquariums. You’ll see the tiny colourful tropical fish you were expecting, plus huge sea creatures like dolphins and whales too. Home to over 32,000 creatures, you’ll need to spend a few hours navigating your way around here.

Cultural Chicago

Being such a modern vibrant city, Chicago homes some of Illinois' finest galleries and museums. With over 300,000 pieces of work across 10 differing areas, the Art Institute of Chicago is the USA's second largest gallery, homing works from the Renaissance and Byzantine periods, as well as by the iconic Vincent Van Gogh. For architecture buffs, look no further than the Chicago Cultural Center, one of the city's finest Neoclassical structures. Head to the Museum of Science and Industry by waterfront for a thought-provoking afternoon. You can learn all about the human body, the laws and physics and even take part in interactive games to put your knowledge to the test.

Retail therapy

If you're looking to hit the shop whilst in Chicago, you're in for a treat. Head for the ‘Magnificent Mile’, or Michigan Avenue, which runs parallel to the lakeshore a couple of blocks west. The side streets are full of smaller independent stores while the strip is full of high end shops.

You’ll find the Niketown here too – with displays about the sports brand that celebrate its roots in the city. Another of Chicago's shopping hotspots is Marshall Fields, a delightfully traditional department store filling 13 storeys. It’s now part of the Macy’s empire but is still a favourite for Sunday lunch, when locals dress up to eat in the wood-panelled dining room. The shop even has a museum and visitor’s centre.

Chicago from above

Take your trip to Chicago to the next level – literally. The downtown area is home to some of the US’s tallest buildings, offering extraordinary views out across the Windy City. Formerly known as Sears Tower, the newly named Willis Tower boast a lift that zooms you up to the observation deck on the 103rd floor at 1,600-feet-per-minute. As the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, step out 4.3 feet over the ledge of Chicago skyline, taking in the city from way above.

For a dining experience like no other, book a table at Hancock Tower. Here you'll be able to enjoy a meal from the 94th floor restaurant will soaking up the panoramic views across the lake from 360 Chicago. You can learn all about the origins of the building, and everything you're looking out over, in the John Hancock Center too

With so much to explore in the city, Chicago can offer you a fabulous experience whether you’re here on business or for an exciting break, and by hiring a car in Chicago, you can pack in everything you want to see and more.