My Perfect Paris Day! (insert sigh here)

Begin at Versailles 1st thing in morning; it's easy to get there by Metro. Do the audio tour and take time to see the gardens. If you have time or have been there before it is fantastic to do a bike ride around the gardens. An hour should suffice for the bike ride. From Versailles, take the Metro to Varenne stop and visit the Musee Rodin. This is where the Thinker sculpture is. You can enter the museum and explore or just walk around the gardens. If you are interested in sculpture this is a wonderful museum. From Musee Rodin make a left onto Bouldevard de Invalides. You'll pass by Invalides. This is a complex of military museums. I've never been inside but the buildings are very pretty to walk by. Make a right on Avenue de Tourville to continue past Invalides. This is a nice street to stop at a cafe and have a drink or snack and peek at the Eiffel Tower above the buildings. You're on this street for about half a mile. Make a left onto Avenue de la Motte-Picquet. You'll quickly arrive at the Peace Monument and Ecole Militaire (Military Academy). Walk down the lawn to the Eiffel Tower. It's nice to make a trip to the top during the day if it's not too crowded. From the Eiffel Tower, cross the street to the Bateau Mouche and buy tickets for the last cruise of the night, usually 10pm. After purchasing tickets continue to walk along the river (to your right if you're facing the water). In a little less than a mile you'll reach the Pont des Invalides bridge. Cross the bridge and continue down this road to the Champs-Elysées. This is a famous shopping street. If you're spent on French food there are many chains here. There is also an unbelievable restaurant for dessert called Laduree (75 avenue des Champs Elysées.) They are famous for macaroons. It is beautiful and romantic. Continue down the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. From the Arc de Triomphe walk down Avenue Kleber about 3/4 mile, nothing too exciting to see on this street. At the end of Avenue Kleber you'll reach the Trocadero, a series of museums across the river from the Eiffel Tower. Take some great nighttime pics here while the tower is sparkling. Continue back to the Bateau Mouche for your evening cruise.

Chicago Half-Day Walking Tour

I made this for my brother and have since shared it with several friends. I think it's a great way to spend a day in Chicago.

Begin at the corner of Wacker and Michigan Avenue. (This is the big shopping street in Chicago)
Continue down Michigan Avenue to East Division St., about 1 mile.
Turn Left on Division St. and make a right onto Astor Street. (This is a historic, beautiful street)
Continue down Astor to North Blvd. (.5 miles) Directly in front of you is Lincoln Park.
Make at Left at North Blvd. and walk to Wells St. (.3 miles) You'll see Second City on your right. Walk through the lobby to see famous alumni.
Make a Left on Wells St. to check out Old Town. This was my favorite part of the city! On the right side of the street is an awesome store that sells only oil and vinegar. The staff is so nice and you can try samples of crazy good balsamic vinegar. While you're here I'd walk down a few blocks, then back up to North Ave. A great place to explore and have lunch.
Continue left down North Blvd. to North Cleveland Ave. Make a right down Cleveland Ave. (.5 miles) This is just a nice walk through a neighborhood.
Make a left at West Armitage and continue to N. Halstead st. (.3 miles)
Make a right on N. Halstead and continue to Addison St. (2 miles) This is a long stretch down a main st. You'll walk by a pretty garden at Children's hospital, Loyola U, Kingston Mines, etc. If you want to skip it you could take the metro from Armitage to Addison or walk down Sheffield which is parallel.
At Addison, make a left. Wrigley Field is .3 miles down the road.