Need help relaxing? Pamper yourself at Joseph Michael’s Salon and Spa, where Chicago’s beautiful people go for everything from massages to facials to mani/pedis. Or get some deep stretching in at Bloom Yoga Studio, where they even offer a midnight yoga class on weekends as an alternative to hard partying.

A good coffee shop with free wireless access can be a welcome change of pace for the busy traveler. The sunny Savor the Flavor has all of the above, plus bagels, muffins, and… ice cream!

Chicago does fast food better than anyone. They’re especially famous for three things: their hot dogs, their deep-dish pizza and a roast beef sandwich called "Italian Beef." Hot Doug's Inc. and The Wiener's Circle are two of the best for Chicago-style dogs piled high with toppings. For deep-dish pizza, try Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. And Mr. Beef is your man for an Italian Beef sandwich. Let him know how hot (i.e., peppery) you want it.

A beach you can walk to from midtown? In a Midwestern city? When the weather is warm, Chicagoans flock to Oak Street Beach to play volleyball, skate, cycle, and sunbathe. And when it’s not warm, there’s always the Om on the Range Yoga Studio, where you can relax and purify your body after all those hot dogs.

Chicago has some of the most avid sports fans in the country, and there’s nothing better on a summer day in Chicago than seeing a baseball game. Cubs fans and traditionalists should head to Wrigley Field, while White Sox fans and those looking for more modern amenities should go to U.S. Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park). If you’re not a sports fan, there’s also Chicago’s other obsession, improv comedy, which you can see at legendary venues such as The Second City and the iO Theater.