Just a quick report. Spent a long weekend in Chicago. (Met some law school buddies who I hadn't seen in over thirty years.) Stayed at a great AirBNB in the Lakeview area, just next to Wrigleyville and north of Lincoln Park.
a) I'm not an MLB baseball guy at all, and usually want to leave by the fifth inning, but we sprung for great tickets for a Cubs game. FANTASTIC. We walked to the game and that park and just everyone walking to the game was such a great experience. Full house on Friday 1:30 game. Hot, but Illinois hot, so perfect. Did I say Wrigley is wonderful?
b) Jumped in the water over at the Diversey Harbor sea wall. Perfectly cold. The talent at the se wall was pretty phenomenal despite it (or maybe because) it's near the gay area of town. Ah, to be young.
c) Took a private "blackhawk boat tour" that went up the river and then hauled ass out on the lake. Lot of bouncing and probably fucked up my back but hey, life is short, it was fun.
d) Got a three day CTA pass at Midway. I love the fucking train. Wasn't even too bad at rush hour when I arrived. Just lots of 20 year-old going to Lalapalooza.
Really didn't sweat the restaurants. The only "sit down" we had was at Mia Francesca which was fine. The rest was just the next pub that caught our eye. Great walking town.
(Was a bit surprised at how "white" the northside was. I've been hanging out in DC to visit my daughter and maybe because DC feels so much smaller, you get a big mix.)
We were blessed with some slightly cooler than average. With Midway and O'Hare there, and both accessible by train, a no-brainer quick weekend.