Five reasons to spend 48 hours in Chicago

Chicago has what few cities can lay claim to: grandeur and elegance without stodginess or snootiness. Although many Chicagoans are still quick to argue why their city is superior to New York, Chicago can kiss its Second City reputation goodbye.

Where a weekend in New York can leave even the most savvy urban tourist exhausted, a Chicago weekend, with all the perks and glamour of NYC, is, like the crisp fall breeze blowing off Lake Michigan, totally refreshing. Here are five reasons to head to the Windy City.

1. The Magnificent Mile
Chicago is one of those places where walking — and stopping to gaze up at the skyline — is an essential component of any visit. Michigan Avenue, the main artery of commerce, architecture and wide sidewalks (to accommodate all those gawking visitors) is an ideal starting point.

The stretch of Michigan Avenue between the river and Oak Street is the perfect way to inaugurate your weekend, not to mention an ideal place to shop. This strip is home to dozens of haute outlets, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Burberry, Tiffany & Co. and Lacoste.

2. The reinvigorated skyline
This summer, in a bid to reclaim its title as the home of innovative architecture, Chicago unveiled its Millennium Park. Located just south of the river along Michigan Avenue, this 10-hectare park features a much-lauded music pavilion by Frank Gehry, architect of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain.

There are numerous architectural tours available, but a tour by boat offers a whole new perspective not available on foot. What’s more, it gives you the chance to rest your feet after your walking tour of the Magnificent Mile. Chicago from the Lake (445 E. Illinois St., 312-527-1977, www.chicagoline.com) offers daily 90-minute cruises through October 31. Cruises depart from North Pier; enter at 435 E. Illinois St.

3. The culinary adventures
Just down the pier from Chicago Line Cruises, you’ll find Fox & Obel (401 E. Illinois St., 312-410-7301, www.fox-obel.com), one of Chicago’s top-rated grocery stores and purveyors of delectable café foods. A must-have: the charbroiled house-ground Black Angus steak burger on a brioche.

On warmer days, call ahead to order a picnic lunch. Options include the Tuscan al Fresco (an antipasto of Italian meats and cheeses, olives, grilled veggies, seasonal fruit salad, fresh-baked ciabatta and yummy almond cake) and the Imperial Picnic (Asian chicken salad, Thai cucumber salad, crisp veggie spring rolls, soba noodle salad, tropical fruits and a delectable coconut macaroon).

For fine Japanese cuisine with a French accent, join the foodie fashionistas at Japonais (600 W. Chicago Ave., 312-822-9600, www.japonaischicago.com). The interior of the restaurant, conceived by renowned designer Jeffrey Beers, is simply beautiful — elegantly understated décor in a chic repurposed warehouse. And the food is even better.

Three grades of tuna, each more sumptuous than the last, make up the Maguro Mariawase. The maki menu includes all the regulars as well as some unique additions, like the Crazy Veggie (tempura asparagus topped with marinated squash and shitake mushrooms) and the Unagi Trio (an avocado and unagi roll topped with baked unagi and sweet unagi sauce).

Don’t leave without having dessert. The selection includes a heavenly dark chocolate mascarpone cake, which is perfectly accompanied by a Château Gravas Sauternes.

4. The view
For impressive city, river and lake views, try the Fairmont Chicago (200 North Columbus Dr., 1-800-257-7544, www.fairmont.com/chicago). The hotel’s Aria Restaurant & Bar, voted one of Chicago’s best new restaurants last year, serves innovative fusion cuisine, like the roasted and braised chicken served with a divine truffled potato purée.

Do you have a view to impress your loved one? Try the Hotel Allegro Chicago’s special recipe: the Love Shack package (171 W. Randolph St., 1-866-672-6143, www.allegrochicago.com). Ingredients include champagne, fresh strawberries and a large can of whipped cream.

The Drake (140 E. Walton Place, 1-800-55-DRAKE, www.thedrakehotel.com), the hotel of choice for many visiting dignitaries, is a view unto itself. This 1920 landmark oozes elegance and stature. Afternoon tea is served daily.

5. The location
Chicago is North America’s air traffic hub, so chances are you’re no more than three hours from the Windy City.

Getting there
Together with our Star Alliance partner United, Air Canada offers every day low one-way fares and daily non-stop service to Chicago from Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.