Coffee first, always. When asked what I do on the days I am not seeing patients, I am still working. I do like to work out of quaint coffee shops, where they put real focus on coffees. Certainly Star Lounge is one of them. La Colombe is another. 

Then a brisk walk down Michigan Avenue, you'll be greeted by two enormous bronze lions at the entrance of The Art Institute of Chicago, a place I can spend the day decompressing. Did you know it is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States? From Warhol, Pollack and Picasso to Dali and Matisse, you can see them all in one place. After spending time  (or a whole day or two) at the Art Institute, take the Nichols Bridgeway from the Modern Wing across to Millennium Park. There you will find an unprecedented kaleidoscope of stunning architecture, sculptures and manicured landscape. This is also home of "The Bean", which is actually called The Cloud Gate Sculpture. 

Midday, pick up a classic buttermilk donut at the Doughnut Vault, not only my all time favorite but I'd say it is the de facto standard for all donuts. Beware of them selling out and a line is not an uncommon sight. 

A perfect dinner spot is Bavette's Bar and Boeuf. It is not your traditional steakhouse. A little dark. A little French. The food is superb, you cannot go wrong with just about anything on the menu. 

Summers in Chicago are the prettiest time, with so many things to do outside. Chicago is not just a concrete jungle, you see. For beach lovers, while we don't border any oceans here, a day can still be spent at North Avenue Beach. Your view? A perfect beach, except with a dramatic backdrop of skyscrapers behind you. Pretty cool if you ask me. A pre or post dinner spot is Cindy's. It is a restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel that is near Millennium Park. Its open-air terrace is iconic as it offers a panoramic view of Lake Michigan.