111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago, easily one of the best things to do in the city. There are free daily tours, as well as some more comprehensive paid ones. Some of the artists whose works are here include Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, and Pablo Picasso. The Art Institute is located on South Michigan Avenue, near Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, and Grant Park, with easy access via the Chicago Loop. There are multiple parking options at Millennium Garages, 6 South Columbus Drive, and in similar lots. You can choose to park in central Chicago, or leave your rental car further out and get public transport in.

809 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607

Located in the Fulton Market District in the West Loop Neighborhood, Girl & The Goat is a Michelin-recognized contemporary American restaurant and renowned as one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Exotic flavors are curated by some of the best chefs in the city, who offer up a range of dishes. As the name might suggest, goat is a popular choice on the menu, but you can also choose from more garden-variety options. Expect dishes like salmon poke, wood-fired chicken or grilled prime skirt steak, and veggie options such as kohlrabi salad or chickpea fritters.

108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611

The five-star Peninsula Chicago is located in Magnificent Mile, just across from the historic Water Tower. Thought to be one of the best hotels in Chicago, it’s a great place to stay if you want to be close to the heart of the hustle and bustle of central Chicago. With plenty of room options, you can choose from an assortment of rooms to suit all budgets. There are also suites, like the Lake Suite (2,561 sq ft), and the Water Tower Suite with panoramas of the surrounding area. There’s a wellness spa if you’re in the mood for some TLC, a pool if you feel like swimming, and a fitness centre if you want to work up a sweat.

91.4 miles & 1 hour and 30 minutes

Having a rental car in Chicago at your disposal means you can easily take the trip over to Milwaukee. It takes one hour and 30 minutes to drive from Chicago to Milwaukee, with scenic views along the Lake Michigan coast, going past Evanston and along the I-94 and I-41. The I-94 West route has tolls – having Hertz PlatePass automates toll payments.

183 miles & 3 hours

Fancy a trip to Naptown? Rent a car in Chicago and head over to Indianapolis, famous for the Indy 500. Head south to Indiana with great road links via the I-90 and I-65 – a great destination for motor sports, and sports in general, with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and NFL’s Indianapolis Colts both based here.

297 miles & 4.5 hours

Hop in your Chicago car rental for a road trip adventure to St Louis, with scenic views of the Midwest along the way. It takes four and a half hours to drive the 297 miles or so to St Louis from Chicago. Head over to see the iconic 630-foot Gateway Arch and Forest Park in what is often referred to as the Gateway to the West.