Whether you are spending a week or 3 days in Chicago there are certain activities that one must do to get a feel for this great city.

 RUN, DON'T WALK!  Whether you are a serious runner or just someone looking for a healthy activity you must do what the majority of other Chicagoans do when the temps reach at least 40 degrees and that is head to the lakefront to run, walk, bike or rollerblade.  Chicago's lakefront path runs north and south for 18 and a half miles and gives you fantastic views of the sky line, Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Soldier Field and the North and South Sides.

 Head North Young Man!  When in doubt in Chicago head north.  The Loop is Chicago's business center but not where you want to be for shopping, eating, drinking and fun.  North of the river gives you the Magnificent Mile but keep on heading north beyond that and you hit the great Chicago neighborhoods including the Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park and Lakeview (Wrigleyville).  To the North and West is Bucktown and Wicker Park.  While the tourist books focus on the area between 1200 North and 1200 South the areas beyond that are where the city drinks, eats and lives.

 Go Cubs Go!  While SNL made "Da Bears" famous, Chicago's ultimate sporting destination is to visit Wrigley Field and see the Cubs play.  While the team is approaching 100 years of losing, the games are still a must see as the sold out stadium sits in the ultimate neighborhood setting.  Get there early and have a beer at Murphy's, Sports Corner or Bernie's and then head South on Clark Street after the game and hit one of the over 20 packed bars on the Avenue.

 Pizza!  Pizza!  Chicago has some great thin crust pizza (Vito & Nicks is the best) but is known more for their deep dish pies.  Gino's East receives the press but the best choices are Lou Malnatis, Uno or Due's or Pequod's in Lakeview.

or a Hot Dog One shouldn't leave the city without having a Chicago Style Dog.  Hot Doug's in the Northwest of the city is famous for their rare sausages and duck fat french fries but their location makes it difficult to reach as a tourist.  A great alternative is to hit The Wiener Circle on 2600 North Clark and try their Char Dog and Cheddar Fries.  Chicago has too many great restaurants to head there as a meal so for the ultimate experience stop on by at 2am - just get ready to yell, be insulted and have some fun.

Block Parties Chicago makes the most of their 5 months of good weather and tears up the summer like no other place.  Part of the fun are the neighborhood festivals held each week on different streets throughout the city.  Most feature live bands, local restaurants and a bar scene on the street.  Be sure to hit one if you are in town June, July or August - the best are the Taste of Lincoln, Old St. Pat's Block Party, Taste of Randolph and the Old Town Art Fair.  Avoid the fests in Grant Park and find the neighborhoods!

 Shop til you Drop The Guide Books point you to Michigan Avenue and State Street and for a good reason.  But if you are looking to get away from the chains head to Halsted and Armitage Avenues in Lincoln Park, Damen and North Avenue in Bucktown and Belmont and Clark in Lakeview, each is unique and is in the middle of a great restaurant and bar area.

 In the Hood Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and in order to see it you need to get away from the sky scrapers and see the neighborhoods that make Chicago great.  Walk through the free zoo in Lincoln Park and then head over to the Lincoln Park neighborhood for a stroll down Clark, Lincoln, Armitage or Halsted.  Head north to Lakeview and go down Southport, Clark or Belmont.  Go Northwest to Bucktown and walk around the intersection of North, Milwaukee and Damen.  If you have more time check out Andersonville, Lincoln Square, West Loop/Greektown and Ukranian Village for off the beaten path areas.

 Street Smarts Check out the guide book streets (Michigan, State, Division and the Viagra Triangle) but don't live there during your visit.  Eat and drink on streets such as Southport, Halsted, Armitage, Lincoln, Clark, Randolph (west), Belmont, Sheffield, North, Milwaukee.  On each of these of boulevards you won't be able to walk a block without running into the next cafe, restaurant or tavern.