Bike

Explore the city on two wheels

Word to the wise: If you’re visiting during the summer, consider trying the Bikes@Nite tour, which ends with a fireworks display at Navy Pier.
The Windy City's wide streets, flat terrain and beautiful lake front make it something of a cyclist's dream come true. Unfortunately, the city's plans to capitalise on this by launching a 3000-strong bicycle sharing scheme have not yet materialised, though it should start up sometime during 2013. In the meantime the Bike and Roll Chicago rental company still offers several handy, affordable places to rent a bike along the lake shore.

Bike and Roll has five rental locations within Chicago, though only the sites at Millennium Park and East 53rd Street work all year round. For Chicago beginners, probably the easiest ride to tackle with your rental bike is the pleasant eight-mile trail along the lake, from Rogers Park in the north, through downtown, and all the way south to Hyde Park.