Are you a baseball fan? Do you like fine dinning with friends and family? Do you enjoy neighborhood festivals? Do you enjoy the aura of old style pubs? Do you enjoy the nightlife? Do you like to listen to live music? Do you like to dance? Well then, you should plan your next summer vacation to Wrigleyville in Chicago.

Wrigleyville is the residential area that surrounds the best ballpark in baseball, Wrigley Field.

The ballpark sits on an irregular block bounded by Clark and Addison Streets on one side, Waveland, and Sheffield Avenues on the other. Many a home runs have landed on Waveland and Sheffield throughout history. The ballpark's address is 1060 W. Addison Street and is nicknamed The Friendly Confines. A Chicago landmark since 1914, this classic ballpark is a monument to the national pastime of baseball.

As I always like to say, no matter what exit you walk out of from Wrigley Field, there is a bar across the street. The area surrounding the ballpark contains bars, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and other entertaining establishments, which is typically referred to as Wrigleyville.

What a better way to spend a vacation then in the sunshine of Wrigley Field, watching an historic team in an historic ballpark. If you have never watched a baseball game in person at Wrigley Field, then you have never truly seen a baseball game the way it was truly meant to be watched.

Wrigleyville also features low-rise two and three flat brick buildings and houses. Some of the buildings across the park on Waveland and Sheffield avenues have rooftop bleachers on top of them as well. The “Wrigley Rooftops” as Cubs fans call them. People can purchase seats to watch baseball games from the rooftops and also save a few bucks without having to pay Major League Baseball ticket prices. Owners of the buildings are able to do this under special agreements with the Chicago Cubs organization.

If you prefer to fill up before the game starts, there are numerous places with great pub food and drinks, along with a great atmosphere so you can soak it all in before the Star Spangled Banner is even sung. And for you junk food junkies, there is a McDonalds practically in the parking lot as well.

Clark St Dog, at 3040 N Clark St, is a great place for a classic Chicago style dog or other delectable greasy food at this hot dog shop.

D'Agostino's Wrigleyville, at 1351 W Addison St, has great Chicago style pizza, low prices and a nice cozy atmosphere at this classic Wrigleyville hangout.

Bar Louie Wrigley, at 3545 N Clark St, is a true sports bar and restaurant and is well known for how good its bar food is.

The Irish Oak, at  3511 N Clark St, is an Irish Pub which is commended for its authentic Irish furnishings as well as their authentic Irish food and drinks. They also have a great Sunday Brunch for you breakfast lovers.  

For after the game, the choices are endless. As I mentioned earlier, walk out of Wrigley Field, and there is a drinking establishment across the street to either celebrate a Cubs victory or to drown your sorrows after a tough loss. The food is pretty darn tasty too for those of you who prefer to drink with a full tummy.

Murphy's Bleachers, at 3655 N Sheffield Ave, is directly across the street from the bleacher entrance to the ballpark. For most Cubs fans, a game-day trip to this Wrigleyville bar is as traditional as the ivy growing on the outfield walls.

Cubbie Bear, at 1059 W Addison, is right across the street from the main entrance to the ballpark. It is a neighborhood staple to Cubs fans.

Harry Caray's Tavern, at 3551 N Sheffield Ave, is a great place for the fine diners of the crowd. Holy Cow, the food is great and the sports paraphernalia is great too! Harry Caray’s is just a fastball away from Wrigley Field.

Bernie's, at 3664 N Clark, is the true Cubs fan bar, as well as Cubs players and announcers who stroll in on occasion. Bernie's has both an indoor and outdoor section and is another establishment right across the street from Wrigley Field.

Sports Corner, at 956 W Addison St, is the ultimate sports bar with 28 televisions, lots of beer and excellent bar food.

Sluggers, at 3450 N Clark, is another sports bar with tons of television screens and a large assortment of brews and decent food. They also have an upstairs arcade, including batting cages.

Goose Island Wrigleyville, at 3535 N Clark, this comprehensive brewpub is just a walk to first and always satisfies Cubs fans. They have many specialty beers and above-average bar eats.

John Barleycorn, at 3524 N Clark, is the place to go if you like a good burger and good baseball. A few blocks down the street from the ballpark, but for burger lovers, it is worth the walk.

Sluggers Bar & Grill, at 3540 N Clark St, is the place to go if you like it loud and rowdy. It is a bit high priced but lots of fun and in the heart of Wrigleyville.

Cork Lounge, at 1822 W Addison St, is about as fun loving of a neighborhood bar as they come, and is within spitting distance of Wrigley too.

For you night lifers out there that enjoy live music and dancing, there are a lot of bars and nightclubs in Wrigleyville for you to enjoy into the wee hours of the morning. However, do not worry, you can sleep in, the game the next day will not start until 1:20p.m.

A couple of these have already been mentioned as hot spots after the game, but I will mention them again as it pertains to their nightlife genre.

Cubby Bear, at 1059 W Addison, has live rock music regularly every Thursday through Saturday and Salsa Music on Sundays. They also feature a Local Music Showcase on Tuesdays and Rock Band Karaoke on Wednesdays. This is karaoke with a live rock band, not recordings.

Exedus II, at 3477 N. Clark, is a reggae dance club featuring live music four nights a week from Wednesday through Saturday.

The Metro, at 3730 N. Clark, is a dignified rock palace. This legendary alternative live music venue is a converted theater with the seats torn out to provide plenty of moshing opportunities.

Smartbar, at 3730 N. Clark is a diverse bar that is located beneath the Metro. It has a dark and dungeon like atmosphere with live DJ’s who host an eclectic mix of events. Smartbar is definitely a late-night lair, as it does not even open until 10 p.m.

Uncommon Ground, at 3800 N. Clark, has live music nightly featuring performances from acoustic folk artists. They also have an Open Mic Session every Monday night.

Underground Lounge, at 952 W. Newport, holds up its reputation as the best area alternative to the after the game crowd. It has plenty of seating with a small stage, and a dance floor. They feature local and lesser-known bands three nights a week from Thursday through Saturday.

The Wild Hare, at 3530 N. Clark, is the place to go if you want to grind on the dance floor to live reggae music. The Wild Hare feels like the type of bar you would stroll into while vacationing on an island in the Caribbean somewhere.

In addition, if you are worried about where to stay, there are a few accommodations within walking distance or a short cab ride from Wrigley Field. If you care to stay elsewhere, you could always find agreeable lodging and take a ride on Chicago’s famous “EL” which will let you off right across the street from the ballpark.

Another little tidbit, the big blue “W” or “L” flags that fly over the park after the game were originally used so that the passengers on the “EL” could see if the Cubs won or lost that day as they passed by the park on the train.

Majestic Hotel, at 528 W Brompton, is one of the most exquisite boutique hotels in Chicago; the property affords the tranquility and dignity of a refined English country estate. Rates start at around $91.00 a night.

City Suites Hotel, at 933 W Belmont Ave, offers both business and leisure travelers an unmatched degree of service with premier amenities to complement its beautiful turn of the century architecture and Art Deco interior. Rates start at around $92.00 a night.

The Willows Hotel, at 555 W Surf St, is the epitome of a modern day European boutique with hotel elegance. Rates start at $92.00 a night.

Inn At Lincoln Park, at 601 W Diversey Pkwy, is an historic hotel that sits in the vibrant and exciting Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods, with numerous restaurants, nightclubs and theaters within walking distance. Rates start at $100.00 a night.

And for you frugal travelers out there;

Days Inn Chicago, at 644 W Diversey Pkwy, was the Winner of the 2004 Days Inn Hotel of the Year Award and currently is a 5 Sunburst Chairman's Award property. Rates start at $69.00 a night.

So come on baseball fans, take a trip to Chicago, visit the famous Wrigley Field in the quant neighborhood of Wrigleyville in Chicago Illinois, and enjoy a sports vacation you will never forget!