Destination: Chicago

For fashionistas who've done the Big Apple, we've got where to shop, sleep and hang in the Windy City.

  Chicago's hip boutique hotel The JamesBy Fashion Editor Danielle Radojcin

The weak dollar is only one of the reasons to visit Chicago. As well as being the city Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Kanye West call home, this good looking architects' heaven boasts a rocking nightlife, delicious food, and endless shopping to suit even the most jaded fashionista.

Where to stay
The InterContinental Hotel on North Michigan Avenue is handily located bang in the middle of what is known as the Magnificent Mile, a shopper's paradise boasting all the big US high street names and glossy shopping malls galore. The hotel, built in 1929 as a luxury men's club, is famous for its swimming pool - the only original remaining part of the building - which is a beautiful place for an early morning dip (and hangover cure).

Meanwhile The James is the ultimate boutique hotel experience, with super friendly staff, and a bar where the cool and stylish of Chicago sip their evening cocktails.

Where to shop
Tangerine, a boutique in the newly-cool Wicker Park area is owned and run by a mother and her two daughters and makes you want to buy everything in sight. Stocking cool, affordable labels such as Tibi and Alice + Olivia, it also features a smattering of unusual and gorgeous accessories, as well as stocking an impressive selection of jeans.

Myopic Books is perhaps rivalled in hipness only by the famous Book Soup in Los Angeles. This second-hand bookshop is an easy way to pass an hour or three. With a striped cat prowling the ceiling-high bookshelves, a suitably kooky and well-informed team of staff, and three floors of second-hand books it's impossible not to be seduced by this store.   

  Fashion Editor Danielle Radojcin hits the streets of ChicagoThe designer clothing fan may think she has died and gone to sartorial heaven on entering McShane's Exchange on West Armitage Avenue (they have a second, smaller outlet on the more residential West Webster Avenue, for the those willing to make the pilgrimage).  For those not familiar with the consignment store concept, the idea is as follows: women bring their wares to sell at the store, and are paid a percentage on sale of said wares. The joy here, of course, is that in a relatively wealthy city such as Chicago, there is lots of choice, lots of fashion savvy (read: a lot of designer buys), and this keeps prices low. Design heavyweights such as Chanel, Hermés and Ralph Lauren sit alongside lesser-known brands, all reasonably priced. Worth the price of an air ticket alone (well, that and the pancakes at Ina's - see below).

Eating, drinking and going out
For a blowout breakfast you can't beat Ina's just next to Oprah's studio while Caffé Deluca in Bucktown hits the spot for lazy brunches. The best pizza can be found at Giordano's and seafood and steak lovers should head for McCormick & Schmick's. Take in an evening cocktail with breathtaking views at The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building (make sure you check out the especially spectacular view from the women's toilets). Also don't miss taking the El train to Oak Park a tour of the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio.

Getting there
For more information on Chicago and planning your trip, visit www.gochicago.com  

See the rest of our 12 hot holiday ideas

Get more travel tips from our sister magazine allaboutyou.com