Catch a Doubleheader at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch and the Chicago Sports Museum

Holy Cow outside Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch and the Chicago Sports Museum in Chicago, Illinois I have been a sports fan since I was in fifth grade (at least).  When I heard that the Chicago Sports Museum had opened this spring, I knew I had to go there to celebrate my birthday this year.

The Chicago Sports Museum is located at Water Tower Place, Level 7, 835 North Michigan Avenue.  At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a cow complete with holes and black-framed glasses, in tribute to Harry Caray, a baseball broadcaster, known for his use of the expression "Holy Cow!" and for wearing black-framed glasses.  During his career, Harry Caray announced for four Major League Baseball teams, working for the St. Louis Cardinals and then the Oakland Athletics before coming to Chicago.  He worked White Sox games for 11 years and then announced for the Cubs for 16 seasons, until his death in February 1998.

Prosciutto and arugula pizza served at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch in Chicago, Illinois Across from the museum is Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch, a restaurant serving soups and salads, burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas.  The baseball theme comes into play with the Jumbo Soft Pretzel and Nachos as "Starters" and the Double Play pizza (double pepperoni, double Italian sausage, double mozzarella, and double provolone).  There is a nice selection of shakes, floats, and beverages available.

William Perry's size 25 Super Bowl ring replica on display at the Chicago Sports Museum in Chicago, Illinois For my birthday lunch, I had an amazing prosciutto and arugula pizza along with a Black Cow, which contained "not your father’s root beer," vanilla ice cream, buttershots liqueur, and whipped cream.  As a birthday treat, the restaurant surprised me with a huge chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate frosting and a lit candle!

Next, it was on to the museum.  Museum admission is currently $6 for general admission, $3 for seniors, and free for children under age 3.  However, guests of the restaurant receive complimentary admission to the museum.  Score!

Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey, warm-up jacket, and signed basketball on display at the Chicago Sports Museum in Chicago, Illinois The museum was great!  Who can forget the amazing 1985 regular season when the Bears had one loss (to the Miami Dolphins) and then went on to win Super Bowl XX, beating the New England Patriots 46 to 10?  Coach Mike Ditka and players Jim McMahon, Walter "Sweetness" Payton, William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, and Willie Gault are a few names that come to my mind.  Remember "The Super Bowl Shuffle?"  I sure do!

The museum offers many hands-on, interactive activities.  I tried on the replica of William "The Refrigerator" Perry’s size 25 Super Bowl ring.

Instructional pitching video at the Chicago Sports Museum in Chicago, Illinois Revisit the 1990s Bulls, their six NBA Championships, and Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and other team members.  Visitors can compare their wingspan to Scottie Pippin’s wingspan, see which player’s hand is closest to the size of their hand, and view game jerseys and warm-up jackets.

View from inside the Chicago Sports Museum in Chicago, Illinois The Cubs or the White Sox? I choose both! Check out the excellent instructional video and learn to pitch like the pros.

Get in the game by trying out one or more of the interactive games.  Shoot free throws, defend the goal, and hit a home run.

Don’t forget to take a break from all the fun, look out the window, and enjoy the view!

I enjoyed one of my best birthdays ever with a Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch and Chicago Sports Museum doubleheader!