It's not easy being a coxswain...: Travel Tuesday

We'll bring it back to Cityscapes this week. I originally was going to pick a place that is pleasant in the snow; a nice winter wonderland to escape to today. However, when I think of all the things I'd want to do in Chicago, June would be my ideal month to visit.

Yes, it's windy there. Ferris played hooky there. Roxie Hart shot someone there. Julia Roberts tried to steal Cameron Diaz's fiancee there. There was a big fire. But, it's a city that has so much to offer without the number of tourists that New York has. Food, sports, shopping, culture, a quite spring vibe.

So jump in a water taxi and see Abe Froman's Chicago in this week's Travel Tuesday.

-Catch a Cubs and a Bulls game. This will take lots of planning, $$$, and you'll probably have to save a Bears/Blackhawks game for another trip. Dry your eyes, and leave that for the Fall.

-Spend the morning waltzing around Millennium Park, The Art Institute, and looking at a giant reflective jelly bean.

-Spend the afternoon around Navy Pier, Grant Park, The Observatory and the Gift Shop at Soldier Field. Maybe catch the Odyssey dinner cruise….?

-Enjoy a classic Chicago deep dish pizza, before taking a deep dish nap.

-Go to Top Chef Stephanie's Girl and the Goat restaurant

-Be extra cultured at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier

-Power shopping on Michigan Ave/Magnificent Mile

-Go to the top of the Willis Tower and the Hancock Tower

No lie, the super rocket elevator got me a bit dizzy…

-Work your way through a "Best of Chicago"restaurant list.

Although, in your scheming, stop by Wow Bao, and Russian Tea Time.

See also: Chicago Dine-around tour

-Take a boat tour and intelligently discuss the unique Chicago architecture,

Or make a visit during St. Paddy's and intelligently discuss how they dyed the river green…

-Tap into your inner child a visit the Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Children's Museum.

Do they let non-parents in?

Short of finding a parade and being Ferris Bueller, Chicago is a great walking city and hop on the Metra if your feet get tired. Union Station can be complicated, so bring your smartphone and your patience.

Have fun packing! I'll be in my Brian Urlacher Jersey.