We hung back while our friends took in a lighter day of sightseeing around the southern portion of the Loop. This included the Sears Tower, the Museum Campus, and Millennium Park.

Sears Tower and the Museum Campus (which includes the stretch of park by Soldier Field, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium) are staples in Chicago. But, the newest and best attraction is Millennium Park. I can’t say enough about this sight except it makes me proud that it is in Chicago.

It is a park that mixes amazing art and sculpture with wonderful views of the city. Millennium Park sits at the mid-point of the city’s south-side/north-side markers with its signature Crown Fountain. The Crown Fountain consists of two 50-foot glass towers that project faces on their surface. The faces “spit” water on a shallow reflecting pool that the city has embraced as a water playground for kids and adults. In a city known for its segregation, this fountain is a place where kids and parents from all parts of the city can play together. On a hot day, this is the place to be.

Millennium Park also includes the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, billed as the most “sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States.” Stop by during the afternoon to hear the symphony practice. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sprawling lawn with views of Frank Gehry’s work that frames the stage- ribbons of brushed stainless steel. You also get amazing views of the city.

Finally, be sure not to miss what Chicagoans lovingly call the “Bean” sculpture. The “Cloud Gate” sculpture is beautiful and offers inventive opportunities to take amazing reflective pictures of the city as well as cool self-portraits for your Myspace profile.

Our friends hopped on the train early to get back to Wrigleyville for their Cubs night game. For all tourists, it is smart to avoid the commuters during nights games. It is a mess, and you will have to push your way on to the train. If you are able, get on the El around 4:30pm, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy dinner in the neighborhood and a few leisure beers before the game.

By 5pm, the bars were extremely crowded. There were few seats at all the traditional Cubs bars. So, we headed south on Clark St. to The Central for dinner. The bar had cheap but tasty food and most important, it had tables. After dinner, we went to Vines On Clark for a beer. They have a roomy, outdoor beer garden in the front of the bar which allows for views of Wrigley’s marquee.

The Cubs won against the Marlins for a great finish to our British Invasion and our own tour of our city.