Within hours of arriving, you can be transported to a picturesque paradise, hiking in the verdant foothills of nearby Mount Rainier, with its lush wildflower meadows and the mountain forests of Longmire. If you want to take in the surroundings in a more serene and time-effective way, your concierge can arrange for you to glide above the scenic national park in a hot air balloon — capped off with a Champagne toast, of course.

Back on land, head to Seattle’s vibrant waterfront to get lost in the city’s iconic 9-acre (3.6-hectare) Pike Place Market, where more than 500 vendors offer an enticing array of locally grown produce, artisanal crafts, wine, antiques and more. Primely located downtown, the market is a short walk from the Seattle Great Wheel, where you can take in inspiring views of Seattle and the Puget Sound from the comfort of an air-conditioned gondola. Your concierge at nearby Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts can arrange your visit to all these activities and more.

Unwind from the day at All Water restaurant. Just steps away from Pike Place Market, All Water’s seasonal catches are always fresh, making the journey from boat to table in less than a day. Then indulge yourself with a revitalizing treatment at The Spa at Hotel 1000. If you want to fit in some golf during your weekend retreat, but don’t want to commit an entire day on the green, the hotel also boasts an on-site Topgolf Swing Suite, where you can play a virtual round.

Once properly fueled, head to Chicago’s renowned Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue for a shopping spree at designer boutiques and retail destinations, including 900 North Michigan Shops. The seven-level, 450,000-square-foot (4,1806-square-meter) art-inspired lifestyle space features 70 high-end brands, a chef-driven food hall, art installations, cooking and music classes and more.

After a day of exploring, find rest and relaxation at Waldorf Astoria Chicago. Ideally situated on Michigan Avenue, the hotel’s Waldorf Astoria Spa offers personalized massages, body treatments, kids’ manicures and pedicures, beauty services and more. Enjoy top-class contemporary American cuisine blended with brasserie traditions at Brass Tack, which sources the freshest ingredients from local farmers.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.