Ask any Midwesterner, and they will tell you to hurriedly pack your bags – the season to visit Chicago is nigh.

The Windy City, notorious for its bone-chilling winters and months-long deep freeze, blossoms in the late spring to become a beautiful, breezy, cultural and culinary paradise, where the world basks in the sunshine and people amble by the lake.

First, you’ll need a place to doff your hat and rest your head and it has been a hot year for design-led hotels in Chicago.

The world-class Langham group (langhamhotels.com) recently made its mark in a Mies van der Rohe-designed building, complete with an outpost of the international Chuan Spa chain.

Meanwhile in the West Loop, funky London members’ club Soho House (sohohousechicago.com) has arrived in rustic, shabby-chic style, with an 18-metre rooftop pool and patio.

Gold Coast bigwig The Peninsula (peninsula.com) is revamping rooms in lush navy, keeping its perfect city and lake views.

Once the accommodation is sorted, thoughts turn to food – one of the city’s biggest draws.

US gourmands will cite Chicago for its cuisine: a rich melting pot that is much more than deep-dish pies and all-beef frankfurters (or any ballpark snack’n’pop, for that matter).

Luxe’s recommended restaurants include the mighty molecular den 42 Grams (42gramschicago.com), where chef Jake Bickelhaupt dishes up New American morsels.

At Southern-style BBQ spot Green Street Smoked Meats (greenstreetmeats.com), sliced brisket finds a home in an atmospheric, tea-light-strewn barn-meets-warehouse.

If this city has a quinessential early summer activity, it is a weekend stroll or cycle along Lake Michigan. Rent a set of wheels and blow away the cobwebs

Another standout is Beverly Kim’s Parachute (parachute restaurant.com), a Korean eatery giving K-town street food an American twist, which Luxe considers the epitome of Chicago’s genre-defying culinary DNA.

In any city this serious about its fare, no doubt you will find top-notch tipples to match.

Have a special occasion to toast? Get snookered, as the locals like to say, at RM Champagne Salon, a cobblestoned courtyard shrine to bubbles.

If you fancy stronger stuff, head to homegrown vodka producer CH Distillery for a behind-the-scenes tour followed by craft cocktails over dinner.

In clement weather, settle on a summer rooftop – Luxe likes J. Parker overlooking leafy Lincoln Park, or Drumbar on the Gold Coast for a swanky downtown panorama.

Just make sure to arrive early and secure a coveted spot, or risk rubbing elbows with the legions.

After wining and dining, its time to get out on the big, beautiful body of water that gives Chicago life: Lake Michigan.

If this city has a quintessential early summer activity, it is a weekend stroll or cycle along the famous lake.

Simply rent a set of wheels from the waterfront and blow away the cobwebs by feeling the wind in your hair.

All that is left? Stopping for a cup of chai at Palm Court (the drakehotel.com) to round off a splendid, sunny afternoon.

www.luxecityguides.com

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