There's something special about exploring a city on a bicycle. It represents the perfect medium between the convenience of a driving tour and the immersion of a walking tour. On a bike, you travel at the perfect pace for sightseeing, and you get a fair bit of exercise without being too worn out by the end of the day. Visitors to Chicago who want to cover a lot of ground while still being able to get a close-up look at all the attractions should consider a pedal-powered tour of the "Best Bicycling City in the Country" with Bobby's Bike Hike. Among Chicago's top attractions, Bobby's Bike Hike offers city and lakefront tours on its fleet of two-wheeled cruisers, with knowledgeable guides who point out all the great landmarks and keep things moving through the quickest shortcuts and most scenic thoroughfares. It's a great way to stretch your legs and get your heart pumping, but you don't need to be Lance Armstrong to participate. Riders of all abilities can keep up with the Lakefront Neighborhoods Tour (including the Gold Coast mansions), Green Chicago Tour (which visits the future spot of the 2016 Olympic games), and the City Lights Night Tour, which is billed as a "party on wheels." Sounds like a good time to me. Starwood has properties throughout Chicago, including the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

[image via Bobby's Bike Hike]